External Mechanical Cardiac Stimulation

Abstract

TEMPORARY cardiac stimulation in the emergency resuscitation from cardiac arrest and in other less urgent conditions is generally applied by way of a pervenous endocardial electrode and an external electric pacemaker. Search for a more quickly and easily applied, noninvasive, reliably effective, safe and well tolerated method of temporary cardiac stimulation has led us to re-examine external electrical and mechanical stimulation. The technic of external electric stimulation was developed in 1950 and was applied successfully in man in 1952.* Electric pacemakers for both external and direct cardiac stimulation are still in use.† This method meets all the requirements listed, except . . .