Transcutaneous pacemakers

Transcutaneous pacing (TP) is technically the fastest, easiest, and least physically invasive of the accepted modes of cardiac pacing. Although first introduced in the early 1950s, TP was abandoned because of cutaneous nerve pain, skeletal muscle contraction, and local tissue burns associated with the use of the technique. The advent of transvenous pacing caused a further decline in interest in TP. Recent investigations suggest that this pacing mode has value when immediate pacemaker therapy is needed in the prehospital or hospital setting. As a result of the renewed interest in TP, the cardiovascular nurse should be aware of this therapy. The article presents a general overview of TP with emphasis on nursing care.