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.
Lin
David
D
Electrophysiology Service, Cardiovascular Division, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Dixit
Sanjay
S
Russo
Andrea M
AM
Hsia
Henry H
HH
D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis*