pacemaker (redirected from epicardial pacemaker)

pacemaker

Source of rhythmic electrical impulses that trigger heart contractions. In the heart's electrical system, impulses generated at a natural pacemaker are conducted to the atria and ventricles. Heart surgery or certain diseases can interrupt conduction (heart block), requiring use of a temporary or permanent artificial pacemaker. A small electrode attached to an electric generator outside the body is threaded through a vein into the heart. The generator, inserted beneath the skin, produces regular pulses of electric charge to maintain the heartbeat. Permanent pacemakers can also be implanted on the heart's surface.

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pacemaker

1. Anatomy a small area of specialized tissue within the wall of the right atrium of the heart whose spontaneous electrical activity initiates and controls the beat of the heart

2. Med an electronic device for use in certain cases of heart disease to assume the functions of the natural cardiac pacemaker

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pacemaker [′pās‚māk·ər]

(medicine)

A pulsed battery-operated oscillator implanted in the body to deliver electric impulses to the muscles of the lower heart, either at a fixed rate or in response to a sensor that detects when the patient's pulse rate slows or ceases. Also known as cardiac pacemaker; heart pacer.