Pacemaker the size of a grain of rice could save children’s lives after surgery

A self-powered, bioresorbable temporary pacemaker the size of a grain of rice has been developed by an international team of researchers. The device, which could potentially prevent lethal complications of heart surgery, could be especially valuable in young children.

After major cardiac surgery that requires stopping the heart, most patients receive a temporary pacemaker to ensure stable cardiac rhythm for several days or weeks. At present, this involves inserting thin leads from an external power source. These must then be extracted later. ‘The problem in many cases is that the pacing leads can be enveloped in scar tissue… The tearing of the scar tissue can sometimes lead to tearing of the normal, healthy tissue,’ explains biomedical engineer John Rogers of Northwestern University in Illinois, US. The resulting internal bleeding has led to many deaths, including the astronaut Neil Armstrong.