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Ventricular asystole due to inhibition of ventricular backup pacing by a dual chamber pacemaker: possible pitfalls of default settings

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Abstract

A 62-year-old patient presented with dizzy spells after her dual chamber pacemaker (Medtronic Enrhythm P1501DR), implanted for complete AV block, had been reprogrammed to deliver antitachycardia therapy (ATP) for paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Her symptoms were caused by inhibition of ventricular backup pacing during ATP, leading to ventricular asystoles. Inhibition was the result of premature ventricular beats occurring prior to ATP: when ventricular backup pacing is left in the default setting, this pacemaker withholds backup pacing if any of the four preceding events is a sensed event. This case illustrates the possibly hazardous effects of default pacemaker settings, especially in pacemaker-dependent patients. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:323-6.)

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References

  1. Medtronic EnrhythmTM P1501DR Reference Manual.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Medical Center Alkmaar, PO Box 105, 1800, AM, Alkmaar, the Netherlands

    F. M. van de Sandt

  2. www.bsl.nl/shop/

    F. M. van de Sandt

Authors
  1. F. M. van de Sandt
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  2. R. Jansen
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  3. G. P. Kimman
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  4. J. H. Ruiter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. M. van de Sandt.

Additional information

Department of Cardiology, Medical Center Alkmaar, Alkmaar, the Netherlands

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van de Sandt, F.M., Jansen, R., Kimman, G.P. et al. Ventricular asystole due to inhibition of ventricular backup pacing by a dual chamber pacemaker: possible pitfalls of default settings . NHJL 18, 323–326 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03091784

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03091784

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