Abstract

A transcutaneous cardiac pacing system has one or more cutaneous electrodes suitable for attachment to a human patient and a transcutaneous pacing system coupled to supply pacing pulses to the patient via the cutaneous electrodes. The pacing pulses are effective to stimulate cardiac activity in the patient. The transcutaneous cardiac pacing system also includes a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation system coupled to supply nerve stimulation pulses to the patient via the same electrodes. The nerve stimulation pulses are effective to mitigate any discomfort that the patient might experience from the transcutaneous pacing pulses. The system thereby provides effective and tolerable emergency cardiac pacing without introduction of intravenous drugs or sedation of the patient.

Other References

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