8 October 1958, D Day for the implantable pacemaker

Abstract

After the introduction of temporary transcutaneous cardiac pacing by Paul Zoll in 1952, and of the temporary endocardial approach by Seymour Furman in the USA in 1958, the first definitive electronic pacemaker was implanted by Senning and Elmqvist in Sweden on 8 October 1958 using a thoracotomy to suture two epicardial electrodes. Actually, the ‘definitive’ unit placed in the abdominal wall of the pacemaker recipient, Arne Larsson, fired for only three hours. The first replacement, done the following morning, was followed by more than 22 units and numerous surgical interventions until Mr Larsson died in 2001.