Sensitivity testing & programming

•The ability for the pacemaker to “see” the intrinsic cardiac events

E.g., P wave or QRS complex

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•The sensing threshold refers to the smallest intrinsic signal consistently seen by the pacemaker

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•Sensing can only be evaluated when the patient has their own intrinsic rhythm

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•An appropriate mode and lower rate must be selected to evaluate intrinsic rhythm

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•Sensitivity margins should be at least double (2x) the sensing threshold for RA & RV