How pacemakers work. Animated explanation of the mechanics of the human heart, and the devices that can assist it Subscribe NOW to The Economist: http://econ.st/1Fsu2Vj Implantable pacemakers and defibrillators are devices that apply electric shocks to maintain the rhythm of the heart and, if necessary, restart it. As the technology improves and the list of treatable conditions grows, the number of devices being implanted is increasing steadily and now exceeds half a million a year. The heart is made up of four chambers; two atria and two ventricles. On each side the atrium is connected to the ventricle by a one-way valve. Blood is pumped as these chambers contract and relax in turn. The beating of a healthy heart is regulated by electrical impulses. The sequence begins as the atria fill with deoxygenated blood from the body on the right and oxygenated blood from the lungs on the left. An electrical signal from the sinoatrial node then causes the atria to contract, forcing blood into the ventricles. The electrical signal is then picked up by the atrioventricular node and directed into the Purkinje fibers in the ventricle walls, causing the ventricles to contract, and the blood is then pumped through the pulmonary valve on the right to the lungs, and the aortic valve on the left to the rest of the body. These valves close and the cycle then restarts. When the sinoatrial node fails to function correctly an artificial pacemaker can be fitted to help regulate the heartbeat with small evenly timed electric shocks. This involves implanting electrodes into one or more of the heart’s chambers, by inserting leads into a vein near the collarbone and implanting a device called the generator just under the skin. For more severe heart conditions an implantable defibrillator or ICD can be used which is also capable of sensing a stopped heart and delivering an electric shock powerful enough to restart it. For some conditions an even more sophisticated device called a CRT ICD can be implanted. This uses a third lead inserted into the left ventricle to resynchronize the ventricles when necessary. However, all these leads can cause problems of their own. Patients with ICDs have a 20% chance of a lead failure within 10 years and replacing leads can require open-heart surgery in about 2% of cases. This has resulted in several efforts to develop new pacemakers that do not depend on leads inside the heart. One design, the subcutaneous ICD, places the lead just outside the heart under the patient’s skin. And wireless designs are now being developed that may eventually do away with the need for leads altogether. Get more The Economist Follow us: https://twitter.com/TheEconomist Like us: https://www.facebook.com/TheEconomist View photos: https://instagram.com/theeconomist/ The Economist videos give authoritative insight and opinion on international news, politics, business, finance, science, technology and the connections between them.

How pacemakers work | The Economist
- Post author:
- Post published:May 24, 2021
- Post category:Uncategorized
- Post comments:0 Comments
You Might Also Like

Ghetto reverse hyper

Calculate BMI – The Body Mass Index Formula

vDentistry Video – 3

David Laid 3 Year Natural Transformation 14-17

Testosterone & Androgenic Effects Video – 35

FRUCTOSE CAN WORSEN THE LIPID PROFILE..

Components OF Skill Related Fitness

Hypertension Causes Symptoms And Treatment

Detection of Albumin in Urine – MeitY OLabs

What is renal hypertension? – Ask ADC video

What is a normal kidney function ?

Nerveous System And Stress Management Asanas Video – 2

Get abs: Crunch with knees to the chest

Overweight & Obesity Video – 22

Static Quadriceps Exercise, Correct technique (Isometric Quads)

Ectomorph? Endomorph? Mesomorph? How To Train & Eat For YOUR Body Type

Rear Delt Pull apart

Health And Fitness Video – 7

Proton pump inhibitors

Are There Any Side Effects Of Creatine? | BeerBiceps Fitness

What Alcohol Can Do To Your Liver

What is the cause of vomiting and diarrhea ? | Good Health for All

Anabolic Steroids – History, Definition, Use & Abuse Video – 25

Cardiac surgery Video – 3

Stretching Exercises: Total Body Stretches

Adductor Machine-6

shrug exercise

How Statins Work to Reduce Cholesterol
Liver Function Test

How to Gain Weight with a Fast Metabolism

Spa Products Video – 4

Steroids 101 – Bigger Stronger Faster*

DXA technology from GE Healthcare provides high precision and accuracy | GE Healthcare

MedicalHorizon: Added Sugars Increase Heart Disease Risk Factors

Which glucose meter is the best on the market?

Beginners Guide To Getting FIT

Anabolic Steroids – History, Definition, Use & Abuse Video – 26

Dumbbell Shoulder Press | Exercise Guide

GYM MUSCLE GAIN BODY TRANSFORMATION CAPTAIN AMERICA WITH FREELETICS GYM

ERGOGENIC AIDS

Nephrology Surgeries Video – 5
