An improved design of temporary myocardial electrode.

A new temporary myocardial electrode has a short piece of needle at one end of an electrode wire. Thus the electrode leaves no exposed areas when implanted. Only the tip is stiched into the myocardium. The device, tested in 20 patients who underwent cardiac operation, has significantly reduced the increase in myocardial threshold to pacing that occurs with the commonly used electrode. This new electrode can be much more easily fixed on both atrial and ventricular myocardium. On postoperative day 7 the threshold measured by Medtronic Model 5880 A was 1.6 mA. on the ventricle and 1.3 mA. on the atrium. The stimulation threshold of the right atrium is almost equal to that of the right ventricle.