Substantial data have been accumulated and indications have been well delineated for pacemaker implantation in the treatment of sinus node dysfunction and heart block. However, many other indications have been proposed for pacemaker implantation. In this review, the authors examine available data regarding pacemaker implantation for new indications: neurally mediated syncope, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, prevention of atrial fibrillation, and the relative merits of single-chamber and dual-chamber pacemakers.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Practical real-time computing system for biomedical experiment interface.

Many biomedical experiments require a precisely timed real-time (RT) computer interface. Because commonly used desktop operating systems are inherently non-real-time, real-time laboratory computer systems are often based on outdated DOS software or expensive proprietary real-time operating systems. Here we discuss a real-time computing system, based on the free RT-LINUX operating system, which we have developed for adaptive pacing control in a clinical cardiac electrophysiology laboratory. This powerful, flexible, and inexpensive system demonstrates that RT-LINUX is well suited for real-time biomedical experiment interface.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quality assurance in CT.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Accreditation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of nonlinear dynamics in cardiac arrhythmia control.

The field of nonlinear dynamics has made important contributions toward a mechanistic understanding of cardiac arrhythmias. In recent years, many of these advancements have been in the area of arrhythmia control. This paper reviews the literature on analytical, modeling, and experimental nonlinear dynamical arrhythmia control with a focus on stimulation and pharmacologic techniques that have been developed, and in some cases used in experiments, to control reentrant rhythms (including spiral and scroll waves) and fibrillation. Although such approaches currently have practical limitations, they offer hope that nonlinear dynamical control techniques will be clinically useful in the coming years.

Animals↗