Elsevier

Heart Rhythm

Volume 6, Issue 10, October 2009, Pages 1538-1540
Heart Rhythm

Humanism in medicine
Heartbeat International: Making “poor” hearts beat better

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2009.07.010Get rights and content

Background

Heartbeat International is a little-known 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which for the past 25 years has been responsible for the implantation and follow-up of cardiac implantable electronic devices in over 9000 indigent recipients in predominantly developing countries. Although the concept was founded in Guatemala over 30 years ago, it took the vision and drive of Dr. Henry D. McIntosh, M.D., M.A.C.C, to create Heartbeat International in 1984.

Discussion

The organization works through Pacemaker Banks established by local Rotary International chapters and other civic organizations in 24 countries over four continents and is dependent on the generosity of the implantable device manufacturers and teams of dedicated physicians and hospital personnel in the countries of operation. Since the vast majority of personnel are voluntary, 90 cents of every donated dollar directly supports the provision, implantation of devices, and follow-up care. Each US$500 provides a pacemaker to one needy patient. The organization's co-mission is also to educate and train implanting physicians in pacing and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator technology. The program remains dependent on the pacemaker manufacturers, who work in an environment of regulatory constraint and economic imperatives. With an ever growing demand for these devices, Heartbeat International will in the future need to increase its operating budget to purchase implantable inventory.

Introduction

On December 26, 2008, Dr. Henry D. McIntosh, M.D., M.A.C.C., passed away in Lakeland Florida after a long illness (Figure 1). A distinguished and much beloved physician and administrator, Dr. McIntosh served on numerous cardiology committees and boards, including the presidency of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 1974–75.1 His professorial positions included Duke University School of Medicine (1962–70), University of Florida School of Medicine (1977–2000), University of South Florida School of Medicine (1993–98), and in particular professor and chairman of the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston (1970–77). A humble man and forever a humanitarian and champion of the poor, Dr. McIntosh is best known internationally as founder of Heartbeat International, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization, which through its strategic alliances with Rotary International and other civic organizations, pacemaker manufacturers, and an army of medical and nonmedical volunteers is responsible for providing and implanting cardiac implantable electronic devices in indigent and needy patients in 24 countries over four continents. His creed, “The service we give to our fellow man is the rent we pay for the right to live” is a testimony to his lifetime service in helping the poor. Despite Dr. McIntosh's pioneering endeavors, little is known of Heartbeat International's important humanitarian work. This manuscript aims to help fill that void and provide ongoing support for an organization whose sole goal is to help save the lives of those who, because of financial constraints, cannot afford the cost of an implantable cardiac electronic device.

Section snippets

History

The genesis of Heartbeat International occurred over 30 years ago in Guatemala, Central America, when a local physician, Dr. Federico Alfaro, was referred a profoundly symptomatic 19-year-old with complete heart block. The family was unable to afford the cost of a potentially “curative” pacemaker. Dr. Alfaro tried unsuccessfully to obtain financial assistance, but in the end all he could do was watch the boy die. He vowed that in the future his countrymen would not die because they could not

Future endeavors

There can be only one objective for Heartbeat International: to save and improve the quality of life of those who cannot afford to do so themselves, thus making “poor” hearts beat better. Although remarkable, the saving of 9000 lives is but the tip of an iceberg in regard to the numbers of indigent patients actually requiring implantable devices. A conservative estimate of need may exceed one million per annum worldwide. The program is dependent on the continued generosity of the pacemaker

References (2)

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