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A Canadian surgeon, Bigelow was stationed in England during World War II. He dealt with many soldiers who suffered frostbite and hypothermia, and observed that their lower body temperatures resulted in a decreased metabolism -- and a resulting decrease in the need for oxygen. He not only devised effective treatments for frostbite, he also applied his observations to his chosen post-war specialty: heart surgery. He realized that induced hypothermia would help patients survive open heart surgery -- and it did, despite predictions from other doctors that it would backfire. His interest in heart problems then led him to invent another device in 1950: the cardiac pacemaker. But it took nearly a decade -- and the invention of sufficiently small and reliable transistors -- to make the device practical. The first pacemaker was implanted in a human in 1959. Dr. Bigelow died in Toronto on March 27 -- from heart failure. He was 91. From This is True for 27 March 2005 Suggestions for further reading:
 By: S. Serge BaroldRoland X. StroobandtAlfons F. Sinnaeve List Price: $74.95 Amazon Price: $74.95 Editorial Review: Over the years we have heard many complaints that there is no very simple book on cardiac pacing for real beginners. We have also heard that all the books on cardiac pacing are too complicated and impossible to understand by beginners. Many have voiced the hope that one day someone would write a book in the same style as Dubin’s book on basic electrocardiography which is a huge bestseller with well over a million sold in many languages. A ‘Dummy’ book on cardiac pacing would appeal to nurses, cardiology technicians, medical students and pacemaker companies for training their staff. We started with the assumption that the reader would know the principles of electrocardiography as in Dubin’s book but nothing about cardiac pacing. We carefully studied the Dubin book and believe that we have improved his teaching method. The book consists of numbered illustrations each illustrating a concept in the form of a diagram drawn professionally. We have been careful to make the artwork simple for easy comprehension. Each illustration will occupy a page and have several lines of text below it. We have already completed most of these. It is essential that there are all in color, this is a unique selling point. The 3 authors have had vast experience in the field. Dr Barold has published 10 books on cardiac pacing and wrote the section on cardiac pacing in the 4th and 5th Edition of Braunwald’s book, Heat Disease." Content:  By: David L. HayesPaul A. FriedmanMargaret Lloyd List Price: $115.95 Amazon Price: $115.95 Editorial Review: Consisting of 13 chapters, this book is uniformly written by Dr Hayes and his colleagues Drs Lloyd and Friedman to provide sensible, matter-of-fact methods for understanding and caring for patients with permanent pacemakers and ICDs. It presents a logical progression from descriptions of device indications to selection of the most appropriate mode and hardware. From there, it proceeds to device implantation and subsequent management, with detailed sections on troubleshooting, complications, and follow-up. Not intended as an encyclopedic text, this book offers a large amount of information in an easily digestible form. This book helps the reader understand the technical capabilities of pacemakers and ICDs, and shows how to apply this knowledge to make everyday clinical encounters easier and more productive. From the first pacemaker implantation in 1958 and the first implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation in 1980, the fields of cardiac pacing and defibrillation have enjoyed a rapid increase in the sophistication and effectiveness of implantable devices. Because these technologies are encountered more and more commonly in today's clinical settings, it is important for physicians to learn "practical approaches" to pacemaker and ICD implantation. Whether new to cardiac pacing and defibrillation or seeing large numbers of patients with implantable devices on a daily basis, cardiologists and electrophysiologists alike will appreciate the knowledge and experience shared by the authors of this book.  By: Tom Kenny List Price: $59.95 Amazon Price: $53.96 Editorial Review: While there are many excellent pacing and defibrillation books, they are nearly all written by physicians for physicians. The second edition of the successful The Nuts and Bolts of Cardiac Pacing has been thoroughly updated, reflecting the new challenges, issues, and devices that clinicians deal with. Written specifically for non-cardiologists in a lively, intelligent and easy to follow style, it emphasizes real-life clinical practice and practical tips, including illustrations from actual clinical settings. Each chapter concludes with a checklist of key points from each subject ("Nuts and Bolts"). New features to the second edition include: * updated terminology and images reflecting new software developments * information on new innovations and advanced features, such as ventricular intrinsic preference and AF suppression * new features on the automatic atrial capture test and follow-up features * new chapter covering clinical studies on the possible dangers of excessive RV pacing Building layer by layer on the fundamental principles and concluding with advanced concepts, The Nuts and Bolts of Cardiac Pacing is intended for a novice to appreciate overall concepts and for a seasoned veteran to turn to answer a specific question. This book offers practical, reliable and objective information on cardiac devices - it's easy to pick up, find what you need, and put down.  By: Aaron B. Hesselson List Price: $49.95 Amazon Price: $49.45 Editorial Review: The advances in technology surrounding pacemakers has led to an inevitable increase in the complexity of ECG interpretation of pacemaker-generated rhythms. Simplified Interpretation of Pacemaker ECGs offers a step-by-step description of pacemaker ECG interpretations. An invaluable resource for cardiologists, residents, house officers, general clinicians, and nurse practitioners, this text includes: a step-by-step description of pacemaker ECG interpretations a brief refresher course on basic ECG interpretation with an overview of the conduction system of the heart a review of the hardware associated with pacing an explanation and discussion of the sensing and pacing function coverage of the most common pacing modalities and unusual pacing situations a series of case studies that bring together all of the information learned and provide the reader with a self-assessment of topics to review ECGs, charts, and illustrationsThe advances in technology surrounding pacemakers has led to an inevitable increase in the complexity of ECG interpretation of pacemaker-generated rhythms. Simplified Interpretations of Pacemaker ECGs offers a step-by-step description of pacemaker ECG interpretations.After a brief refresher course on basic ECG interpretation, the reader is provided with an overview of the conduction system of the heart. The hardware associated with pacing is then reviewed, followed by an explanation of sensing and pacing function of pacemakers. Following is an explanation of the most common pacing modalities, then a description of unusual pacing situations. The text is concluded with a series of case studies that bring together all of the information learned, providing the reader with a self-assessment of topics to review.The text includes a large number of ECGs, charts, and illustrations, and features an easily-understood, instructive writing style.  List Price: $73.95 Amazon Price: $66.40 Editorial Review: Pacing and ICDs are used increasingly in the management of arrhythmias and a number of different cardiac conditions. Specialists, general cardiologists and general physicians are now closely involved in managing patients with these devices. Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers and Defibrillators: All you wanted to know is written by leading specialists from the UK and USA and is designed for all physicians looking for a clear and comprehensive introduction to the principles and functions of these devices. The focus of this book has been on the indications for these devices and continuing patient management for the generalist and those in training – including complications and troubleshooting that arise peri- and post-implantation. Not only does Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers and Defibrillators provide a sound introduction to the subject, in the later chapters it goes beyond the basics, introducing more advanced techniques such as lead extraction. It can be used both for those in training and for those with direct patient care responsibilities. With its up to date, evidence-based approach and inclusion of the latest AHA guidelines on pacing, this is an ideal guide to a major aspect of modern cardiac management. |
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