title: The cardiac pacemaker: functions, falterings, and fate.
abstract: No pacemaker problem is predictable enough to plan for, with the possible exception of battery failure, so follow-up surveillance is essential. Pacemaker malfunctions are generally either actual device malfunctions or adverse interactions between the pacer and the patient's body. Depletion of the power source is the most common event.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004566:Electrodes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology