Summa Researchers Develop the first Transvenous Pacemaker Simulator
R
ESEARCHERS AT SUMMA Health System in Akron have developed a transve- nous pacemaker simulation
model to enable emergency medicine physicians to practice placing bedside transvenous pacemakers. Trademarked "PacerMan", it is reportedly the first simulation trainer of its kind to enter the commercial market. The placement of a transvenous
pacemaker is a critical skill for the emergency physician, but it is difficult to teach because it is an uncommon need in clinical settings, and a good training model does not exist. Until PacerMan was introduced, there were
no commercially available transvenous pacemaker simulation models to enable physicians to practice placing a real bedside transvenous pacemaker. "PacerMan has an internal rhythm
generator that will manifest a variety of high risk dysrhythmias that can be overridden by the appropriate placement of a real clinical transvenous pacemaker wire," said Rami Ahmed, DO, Summa's Simulation Medical Director. "Every piece of a standard transvenous pace- maker kit can be used." The training system allows for the
aspiration of simulated blood from a simulated central venous access point — either internal jugular or subclavian.
It also allows for the placement of real pacemaker wire into the simulated blood filled chamber, and the ability to manipulate the heart rate and the degree of voltage necessary to acquire capture using a real pulse generator.
