Key Points
- To describe and analyze the electrophysiological mechanism responsible for a sustained autonomous pacemaker tachycardia triggered within a programmable dual-chamber pulse generator.
- Analyzed the timing circuit logic, parameter combinations, and pacing intervals of a multiparameter programmable DDD pulse generator during sustained tachycardia.
- Characterized an autonomous tachycardia where atrial and ventricular outputs occur simultaneously at the maximum tracking rate with an apparently shortened AV interval.
- Identified that the rhythm is sustained when the maximum tracking rate interval exceeds the atrial escape interval and persists until reprogramming or a critically timed ventricular sensed event occurs.
Structured PICO
PPopulationPatients with multiparameter programmable DDD pacemakers
OOutcomeOccurrence and mechanism of sustained autonomous pacemaker tachycardiasafety
Describes a novel mechanism of sustained autonomous pacemaker tachycardia in DDD pacemakers, highlighting the need for circuit design modifications to prevent unanticipated rhythms.