Improving Pacemaker Therapy in Congenital Heart Disease: Contractility and Resynchronization

Designed as effective therapy for patients with symptomatic bradycardia, implantable cardiac pacemakers initially served to improve symptoms and survival. With initial applications to the elderly and those with severe myocardial disease, extended longevity was not a major concern. However, with design technology advances in leads and generators since the 1980s, pacemaker therapy is now readily applicable to all age patients, including children with congenital heart defects. As a result, emphasis and clinical interests have advanced beyond simply quantity to quality of life.
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Source Type: research