Simulation and Study of Asynchronous Pacemaker via MatLab

Abstract

A pacemaker is an electronic device, which is used by heart patients when they suffer from arrhythmias. The sinoatrial node (SA node) of our heart generates electrical impulses which travel downs the atrioventricular (AV) node to the bundle of His and then to the Purkinje fibres, from where it distributes to the ventricular region. Importance of this impulse is that it makes the heart contract, which helps in maintaining blood circulation. In some cases, the SA node is unable to generate the electrical impulse or the impulse generated is so weak that it fails to reach other regions of heart for normal functioning. In such cases, doctors suggest the use of pacemakers. A pacemaker generates an impulse which is analogous to the impulse generated by the SA node and helps in heart contraction. The pacemaker either bypasses the use of SA node or works in collaboration with it depending upon the condition of SA node. Pacemakers are broadly classified into two types: the demand pacing or asynchronous pacemaker, which generates a fixed heartbeat, and the rate-responsive pacemaker, in which the heartbeat generated, depends on the physical activity being performed by the patient. Herein, we report the working of a demand-type pacemaker with the help of MatLab simulation, for its better understanding.

Keywords: Pacemaker, Demand pacing, MatLab, ECG

Cite this Article

Ananya Mishra, Divya Maheshwari, Shruti Gupta, et al. Simulation and Study of Asynchronous Pacemaker via MatLab. Research & Reviews: Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2018; 7(1):
21–26p.