The pacemaker consists of the pulse generator, leads and electrodes.
Your condition will determine how many leads you will have implanted.
Pacemakers with one lead are called single chamber pacemakers, two leads are called dual chamber pacemakers, and three leads are called biventricular pacemakers.
The pulse generator houses the battery and the electronic circuit. Most pacemaker batteries are made from lithium and will usually last 6–10 years.
The leads are insulated wires that are able to sense what is happening within the electrical activity of the heart and deliver electrical impulses from the pulse generator to the heart. |
 |
 |
Single Chamber Pacemakers have one lead which is positioned in either the right atrium or the right ventricle, depending on the reason for implant. |
 |
Dual chamber pacemakers have two lead. One lead is positioned within the right atrium and the second lead is positioned within the right ventricle.
|
 |
Biventricular pacemakers have three leads. One lead is positioned within the right atrium and the second lead is positioned within the right ventricle and the third lead is positioned within the left ventricle. |
Most pacemakers will work on demand. This means that if and when the pacemaker senses that the hearts own natural rhythm as become too slow or if it has missed a beat, it will send out the electrical impulse which will stimulate the heart muscle.
If the pacemaker detects no natural rhythm, it will continue to deliver the electrical impulses; it would not send out any electrical impulses if it detects the hearts natural rhythm.