This article summarises the history of cardiac pacing, from major early scientific developments to implantable pacing systems. Advances in batteries, leads, electromagnetics and programming in pacing are traced, and there is an up-to-date appraisal of innovations. There is a review of cardiac devices developed from pacing technology, including biventricular pacemakers for heart failure, implantable cardioverter defibrillators to prevent sudden cardiac death, leadless pacemakers and implantable loop recorders. The aim is to give an overview of cardiac devices, one of the major technological advances over the past 85 years.

Helen Eftekhari - Arrhythmia Nurse; University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK

Sajad Hayat - Consultant Electrophysiologist; University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK

Tarvinder Dhangal - Consultant Cardiologist; University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK

Faizel Osman - Consultant Cardiologist; University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK