The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 25, 571-587, Copyright © 1978 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Current status of pacemaker power sources
GF Tyers and RR Brownlee
After years during which pacers of very similar design and capabilities
were provided by a small number of manufactures, many different lithium,
halogen, rechargeable, and nuclear power sources are now available. The
variety of chemistries, methods of construction, and sealing techniques
used in the batteries of the different manufacturers is almost unlimited.
This has made it necessary for physicians who implant and follow pacer to
acquire a general knowledge of the field if they are to make an informed
choice of pacemaker power source for implantation and if they are to manage
recalls with a minimum of patient and physician trauma. More experience is
required before it can be definitely determined which of the new pacer
power sources will prove superior, but when coupled with well-designed,
hermetically sealed pulse generators, all are capable of providing
continuous pacing for at least 5 years and the 10-year pacemaker is now a
probability.
