Key result
Temporary pacing in acute inferior MI can trigger VF due to R-on-T positioning and undersensing.
Why the study?
Temporary pacing during acute inferior myocardial infarction or no-reflow can inadvertently trigger ventricular fibrillation rather than prevent it.
Does temporary pacing trigger ventricular fibrillation in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction or no-reflow?
Does temporary pacing trigger ventricular fibrillation in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction or no-reflow?
Treating ischemia first and avoiding unnecessary temporary pacing in acute inferior MI or no-reflow is paramount to prevent iatrogenic ventricular fibrillation.
May warrant caution with temporary pacing in acute inferior MI; challenges consensus but leaves open prospective validation.
Temporary pacing during acute inferior MI or no‐reflow can trigger ventricular fibrillation rather than prevent it. Four mechanisms are highlighted: (1) acute ischemia lowers VF threshold and creates repolarization heterogeneity; (2) fragmented electrograms cause undersensing and asynchronous spikes; (3) bradycardia‐related long RR cycles position spikes on the T‐wave (“R‐on‐T”); and (4) catheter micro‐displacement induces mechanical extrasystoles. We propose a bedside decision framework—three questions before pacing—and a prevention bundle focused on urgent ischemia reversal, continuous electrogram surveillance, and early electrode removal. Bradycardia in this setting is often transient, but the electrophysiological vulnerability is not. Treating ischemia first and avoiding unnecessary pacing are paramount to prevent iatrogenic arrhythmia.
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Zhan et al. (2026) studied this question. Temporary pacing during acute inferior MI can trigger ventricular fibrillation due to mechanisms like 'R‐on‐T' positioning and undersensing, rather than prevent it.
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