A dual-chamber pacing mode to minimize ventricular pacing

Abstract

Background: Though patients with sick sinus syndrome theoretically need an atrial pacemaker only, they usually receive a ventricular or a dual-chamber pacemaker because of possible developement of atrioventricular conduction abnormalities. Right ventricular pacing produces left bundle branch block (i.e. pacing-induced ventricular desynchronization), promoting heart failure and atrial fibrillation. This problem can be solved by a special pacing mode which on one hand preserves the safety of dual-chamber pacing and on the other hand minimizes right ventricular pacing.

Keywords

• cardiac pacemaker
• pacing mode
• heart failure
• atrial fibrillation