Biography

Arne Larsson, a remarkable person, born May 26, 1915 died December 28, 2001 in Stockholm, at age 86 years. October 8, 1958, at age 43, he was the first person ever to receive a fully implanted pacemaker system, thereby spending half of his life with a pacemaker. Arne Larsson´s first pacemakers were constructed on the initiative of his wife, who survives him. She did not accept her husband's seemingly inevitable death from his cardiac condition, complete heart block with severe Stokes-Adams attacks. Having heard that animal experimentation with cardiac pacing was underway in the laboratories of the Karolinska Hospital she decided that a pacemaker might be beneficial for her husband. Those who know Else-Marie Larsson recognize her as very persuasive. The two she persuaded were the surgeon Åke Senning of the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Karolinska Hospital and Rune Elmqvist, an engineer at Elema-Schönander, a medical electronics firm, both in Stockholm. The rest is medical history.

The first pacemaker actually constructed in Rune Elmqvist's kitchen, was implanted by thoracotomy on October 8, 1958 and functioned for 3 hours following implantation. A second, identical unit, implanted the following morning, functioned somewhat longer. Nickel-cadmium cells, rechargeable from outside of the body, powered both pacemakers. By the end of his life Arne Larsson had used 22 pulse generators and 5 electrode systems. His heart worked well until his death of an unrelated malignancy, exemplifying what is commonplace today, but what was completely unknown at the time his first pacemaker was implanted. A pacemaker does not only preserve life, but also allows complete living.

Arne Larsson made good use of the life he got. In addition to his devotion to family and his many friends, he made substantial contributions to the benefit of many subsequent pacemaker patients. Using himself as a perfect example, he convinced many who were in doubt that a pacemaker is an ideal tool for continued life. He became chairman of a patient advocacy organization and was able to influence pacemaker manufacturers to improve their products and shared many useful concepts with all who were part of pacing. He spoke widely and frequently to physician, industrial and patient groups. Moreover he was a driving force in persuading health care administrators to the allocation of sufficient funds to provide pacemakers to all in need. Even during the last year of his life he had long and interesting discussions with physicians and industry on how to further improve future pacemakers and electrodes.

For we who have been active in the world of cardiac pacing, Arne Larsson and his soon to become friends, Åke Senning and Rune Elmqvist, became great examples of how a combination of a brave patient, a bold physician and creative engineer may change the world for numerous patients. Arne Larsson exemplified that not only the imagination of a physician and an engineer are needed for successful implementation of new medical technology. The patient must be co-operative, strong-minded and willing to be trusting when he is offered pioneering technology. We had the pleasure of meeting and following Arne Larsson over many years as physicians and the pacemaker industry. It was indeed a great pleasure to have him as a patient, an advisor and also as a great personal friend.

- Lars Rydén
  Professor of Cardiology
  Department of Cardiology
  Karolinska Hospital
  Stockholm

- Hans Schüller
  Associate Professor
  Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
  Lund University Hospital

- Berit Larsson
  Principle Scientist
  St Jude Medical Inc
  Stockholm

Arne Larssen's medical condition before pacemaker implantation (4:58 sec.; Real Audio)

Mrs. Larssen's search for help for her husband (5:45 sec.; Real Audio)

Senning and Elmqvuist agree to implant first human internal pacemaker (5:30 sec.; Real Audio)

Problems with first pacemaker and eventual success. (5:08 sec.; Real Audio)