Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – The pacemaker is one of the most transformative medical devices in history, saving millions of lives by regulating abnormal heart rhythms. Its development spans decades, involving brilliant minds, accidental discoveries, and relentless innovation.
The concept of using electrical impulses to regulate the heart dates back to the late 19th century. In 1889, Scottish physiologist John Alexander MacWilliam observed that electrical stimulation could restore a normal heartbeat in animals. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that this idea became a practical medical device.
Early pacemakers had limitations—batteries lasted only a few hours or days, and the devices were prone to failure. However, key innovations improved their reliability
In an effort to better treat heart failure, a “natural” pacemaker—one whose beat changes based on breathing—is being tested in humans for the first time.
This pacemaker that replicates the heart’s naturally fluctuating rhythm is being tested on humans; no side effects have been noted, and better results are anticipated.
The first-in-human trials began shortly before Christmas in the Waikato region of New Zealand and are currently underway in Adelaide, Melbourne, Australia, as well as Bristol and Cardiff, UK.
Although our hearts naturally beat erratically depending on our breathing, most pacemakers sustain a regular, even beat in the patient’s heart.
The innovative pacemaker adjusts its rhythm in sync with a patient’s breathing and has already demonstrated health benefits in animal studies, with new research adding further support.
The first human trial began at Waikato Hospital just before Christmas. The device is currently being evaluated in patients recovering from heart surgery, where temporary pacing wires are typically installed, allowing doctors to test the new pacemaker for a few days.
Professor Martin Stiles, a University of Auckland researcher based at Waikato Hospital, is leading the trial and remains optimistic about the potential of this cutting-edge device.
Stiles indicated that this technology represents a step toward mimicking the natural variability of the heartbeat — a feature refined by evolution to maximize the heart’s efficiency.
In a surprising discovery, scientists have shown that a new type of pacemaker enables sheep with heart failure to regain the ability to exercise—something that is typically impossible due to the condition, according to lead researcher Professor Julian Paton, director of Manaaki Manawa – the Centre for Heart Research at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
Paton pointed out that their view is that if patients are offered a pacemaker, one that boosts physical performance without the need for exercise training will likely be the more attractive choice.
The study, conducted by Associate Professor Rohit Ramchandra and his team, investigated whether a dynamic pacemaker could enhance the exercise capacity of sheep, as the physiology of sheep hearts closely mirrors that of humans.
Ramchandra noted that this finding is significant because improving exercise capacity can have a major positive impact on the quality of life for individuals living with heart failure.
He further indicated that their research showed that respiratory heart rate variability pacing significantly increases the heart’s ability to pump blood during exercise while also improving baseline heart function levels.
Ramchandra pointed out that this means that when you exercise, your muscles will receive more blood.
“Remarkably, respiratory heart rate variability pacing also improved the recovery time of the heart post-exercise, which is an established marker of physical fitness.”
When the sheep continued taking heart medication, the researchers also examined whether the varied pacing enhanced heart function.
“We found variable pacing continues to improve heart function against a background of current medication. None of these changes happened in the group which underwent conventional monotonic pacing.”
