Thursday, February 25, 2010

What are Pacemaker sounds?

  • High frequency, clicking, pre-systolic sound
  • Produced by transvenous pacemakers
  • Due to stimulation of intercostal muscles by the endocardial leads
  • Timing correlates with pacemaker spike in ECG
  • Associated with twitching of chest wall muscle - contraction of chest wall muscle following spread of electrical impulse from pacemaker
  • Diaphragmatic stimulation can also occur
  • Very loud sound may suggest myocardial perforation

No comments:

Post a Comment