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The Artificial Cardiac Pacemaker

The failure of the heart's natural pacemaker during surgery, or from heart disease, can cause the heart rate to drop dangerously or to stop the heart altogether. During his research into open-heart surgery, Dr. Bigelow discovered that normal cardiac rhythm could be effectively restored and maintained by using regular electrical pulses. In 1950, Dr. Bigelow's team developed the first artificial pacemaker. Today, cardiac pacemakers keep the hearts of thousands of individuals worldwide beating regularly. The Canadian Council of Consulting Engineers voted the pacemaker as the most important engineering invention in Canadian history.