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==Pacemakers== | ==Pacemakers== | ||
[[Image:Paced2.gif|300px|right|thumb|Ventricular paced rhythm shows ventricular pacemaker spikes.]] | |||
[[Image:SchematicImg.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Schematic display of a pacemaker.]] | [[Image:SchematicImg.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Schematic display of a pacemaker.]] | ||
A pacemaker monitors the electrical impulses in the heart. When needed, it sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a normal heart rate. | A pacemaker monitors the electrical impulses in the heart. When needed, it sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a normal heart rate. | ||
A pacemaker rhythm can easily be recognized on the ECG. It shows pacemaker spikes: vertical signals that represent the electrical activity of the pacemaker. Usually these spikes are more visible in unipolar than in bipolar pacing (see | A pacemaker rhythm can easily be recognized on the ECG. It shows pacemaker spikes: vertical signals that represent the electrical activity of the pacemaker. Usually these spikes are more visible in unipolar than in bipolar pacing (see image on the right). | ||
==Patients== | ==Patients== |
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