Method and apparatus for pacing the heart employing external and internal electrodes

摘要

When a person's heart is beating at a slow or an irregular rate, or after defibrillation, the heart should be stabilized to beat at a particular rate. This electronic pacing method and apparatus can accomplish that purpose without surgery and in a few seconds. It is accomplished by a flexible tube or rod having a series of circumferential electrically conductive rings spaced a few centimeters apart and electrically connected together which may be inserted down the esophagus so as to place the rings in the lower portion thereof. A second electrode which may be a conventional adhesively attached ECG electrode is attached to the sternum. An electrical pulse of short duration and low power which may emanate from a small battery operated electronic stimulator is passed between the electrodes. The pulses stimulate the heart muscles and make the heart beat at a preset rate. The tube or rod with the electrodes may be small enough to pass through an esophageal gastric tube or similar device.