Total failure to sense ventricular fibrillation with inappropriate defibrillator sensitivity adjustment.
Automatic Sensitivity Control, unique to St. Jude defibrillators, allows for programmable sensitivity threshold and refractory periods. However, inappropriate programming can lead to marked undersensing and potentially lethal complications. We report a case of complete failure to sense ventricular fibrillation with inappropriate sensitivity adjustments. Detailed review of the parameters with induction of ventricular fibrillation must be performed to assure adequate safety.
Electrophysiology Service, Cardiovascular Division, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
David
D
Lin
Sanjay
S
Dixit
Andrea M
AM
Russo
Henry H
HH
Hsia
D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis*