Two mechanisms of arrhythmia induction by a DDD pacemaker: a case report.
A 68-year-old man with sick sinus syndrome and a history of intermittent atrial fibrillation was treated by implantation of a DDD pacemaker. He subsequently developed recurrent episodes of shortness of breath and tachycardia. Investigation revealed two different arrhythmias, both induced by the pacemaker: (1) a tachycardia in which the dual-chamber pacemaker system provided the antegrade limb and the AV node provided the retrograde limb and (2) a triggered, ventricularly paced tachycardia caused by the pacemaker sensing atrial fibrillation waves. Both rhythms were abolished by reprogramming to the DVI mode.
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology*