How does a cardiac pacemaker work?

A cardiac pacemaker consists of a pulse generator (battery-operated device) and a lead (electrode), which connects the pulse generator with the right atrium and/or the ventricle. The lead carries electrical signals to the heart and transmits the heart’s own signals back to the pulse generator. This results in automatic control of output.

Following pacemaker implantation, the system can be specifically programmed, adjusted and monitored for each patient via an external programming device.

There are single-chamber, dual-chamber and triple-chamber pacemakers. The different systems are selected according to the underlying heart disease.