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Background

  • 88 year old female with dual chamber implanted for pause dependent VT

  • Currently programmed DDD 70-120

  • Underlying sinus rhythm

 

Routine Clinic check

AHR episodes

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Reprogrammed

  • Reprogrammed to DDI 70 (PAV 350ms) to avoid tracking noise

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Reasons for pacing faster than base rate
 

Atrial fibrillation pacing algorithms

  • rate smoothing

  • AF suppression

  • post mode switch overdrive pacing

  • atrial preference pacing


  • Rate Response

  • May only be on in a mode switch
     

  • Ventricular based timing

  • Depends on the company and the mode

Atrial verse ventricular based timing
 

Atrial based timing

  • Pure: rate is driven by the LRI (AA interval)

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  • Modified: rate is driven by the LRI (AA interval), except after VPB where VA timing is used

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  • Ventricular sensed timing

  • Rate is driven by VA interval (LRI - PAV interval)

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Current patient example
 

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Possible Solutions
 

Ventricular/ atrial based timing are non programmable​

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Shorten AV delays ?

  • this may result in higher/unnessary ventricular pacing

  • *Note: no search AV/VIP in DDI mode

 

Back to DDD with lower UTR ?​

  • still may track noise

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Decrease lower rate limit in DDI?

  • avoid pacing faster than necessary

 

Increase atrial sensitivity to a higher number and leave in DDD ?​​

  • may undersense true atrial events

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CAUTION
 

  • Nominal mode switch mode in an Abbott device is DDI/DDIR

  • Potential risk for rapid pacing can occur (see example below)

  • Solution for mode switch fast pacing risk is to reprogram mode switch mode to VVI/VVIR

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Summary of timing for DDI modes in each company
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