Interpretation of electrocardiograms produced by a new unipolar multiprogrammable "committed" AV sequential demand (DVI) pulse generator.
This paper describes our approach to the interpretation of electrocardiograms produced by a new unipolar multiprogrammable "committed" DVI pulse generator (Intermedics) during normal function. The arrhythmias engendered by this new DVI pacemaker may be better understood by conceptualizing the recycling mechanism in terms of a simple atrial pulse generator with two important qualification: 1) the ventricular stimulus obligatorily follows the atrial stimulus after 155 ms (AV sequential interval); 2) the pulse generator senses ventricular events (via the ventricular electrode) but recycles according to its atrial timing cycle (AA interval). These characteristics lead in turn to two important consequences: a) the QA interval (from the onset of a sensed QRS complex to the succeeding atrial stimulus) must be longer than the VA interval (from a ventricular stimulus to the succeeding atrial stimulus) by a period equal to or slightly greater than the AV sequential time. This may be considered to represent a form of hysteresis. b) the pacemaker refractory period always starts at the onset of an atrial cycle (AA interval( and therefore occurs after the delivery of an atrial stimulus or after a sensed ventricular event. The above characteristics may cause pacemaker stimuli to fall within the P wave, PR interval, QRS, ST segment and the ascending limb of the T wave during normal function of the pulse generator. Superficially, these peculiarities resemble malfunction and may be quite befuddling but they all occur predictably according to the electronic design of the pulse generator.
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors