Sustained effectiveness of an atrial antitachycardia pacemaker during follow-up.
Atrial antitachycardia pacemakers are indicated for medically refractory atrial tachyarrhythmias. To confirm long-term device effectiveness, we studied diagnostic data obtained in 17 patients with atrially-placed Intermedic "Intertach" pacemakers. The unit has programmable primary (P mod) and secondary (S mod) antitachycardia response protocols. Success of the P mod was defined as a P mod response first with no subsequent S mod response. Follow-up was for 595 days (+/- 302 days). The P mod was utilized first 88.2 +/- 102 times per patient interrogation with subsequent S mod use 21.1 +/- 53 times (P less than 0.0001). Results were also significant when P mod was compared to S mod in the first versus the last half of follow-up (both P less than 0.0001). These results suggest that the programmed P mod of the atrial "Intertach" tachycardia reversion pacemaker has sustained effectiveness in the treatment of medically refractory atrial tachyarrhythmias.
Department of Cardiology, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, California.
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AH
Shandling
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Li
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Thomas
D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D004526:Efficiency; D004582:Electronics, Medical; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000628:therapy; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000628:therapy*