P-wave sensing in VVI pacemakers: useful or a problem?
Total inhibition of a bipolar VVI pacemaker was observed in an 84-year-old female after programming the pulse generator to its highest sensitivity (0.6 mV). After a short period of observation it became obvious that P-wave oversensing was responsible for this phenomenon. Frontal and lateral X-rays showed a normal position of the ventricular lead. Although oversensing could easily be avoided by decreasing sensitivity, changing the pacing mode to VVT converted the VVI pacemaker to an atrial synchronous ventricular pacing system.
van Gelder
L M
LM
Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
el Gamal
M I
MI
Tielen
C H
CH
D000368:Aged; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000628:therapy; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*