The rechargeable cardiac pacemaker. A clinical evaluation in 25 patients.

After five years of laboratory development and in vivo testing, a rechargeable cardiac pacemaker with R-wave inhibited demand circuitry was introduced into clinical use in February 1973. We have used the rechargeable pacemaker in 25 patients in the past 1 1/2 years. The series includes 14 women and 11 men, with an age range of 38 to 80 years. Eleven of the patients had the rechargeable system implanted as a replacement for a failing or a failed conventional pacemaker. These 11 patients accounted for 26 previous pacemakers. The rechargeable pacemaker is smaller than conventional pacemakers, and it promises to obviate the need for periodic pulse generator replacement. Our initial experience with the rechargeable pacemaker has been favorable, and patient acceptance has been good.