Algorithms for better arrhythmia discrimination in implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
The discrimination of concomitant atrial tachyarrhythmias and sinus tachycardias in patients with malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias is a major challenge for new defibrillator devices. Different algorithms have now been established to distinguish between atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Furthermore, new dual-chamber implantable defibrillators are capable of tiered atrial therapies for both regular and irregular atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The increasingly complex and subtle dual-chamber detection algorithms have proven to be safe and effective for the detection of ventricular tachycardia, and also in terms of an increase in specificity and a reduction in inappropriate ventricular therapies for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Stable electrode position, and a continuous and correct atrial signal quality, are prerequisites for atrial therapies and algorithms for arrhythmia discrimination.
Schimpf
R
R
Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany. Schimpf@uni-bonn.de
Wolpert
C
C
Lüderitz
B
B
D000465:Algorithms; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006801:Humans