Functional atrial undersensing associated with device algorithm promoting AV conduction

Pasquale Crea; Angela Nicotera; Dalia Di Nunzio; Giuseppe Picciolo

doi:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2017.05.009

Functional atrial undersensing associated with device algorithm promoting AV conduction

J Electrocardiol. 2017 Sep-Oct;50(5):696-697. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2017.05.009. Epub 2017 May 18.

Authors

Pasquale Crea¹, Angela Nicotera², Dalia Di Nunzio², Giuseppe Picciolo²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. Electronic address: pasqualecrea@hotmail.it.
² Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

PMID: 28554512
DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2017.05.009

Abstract

A 58-year-old woman received a dual chamber pacemaker (Medtronic) for sick sinus syndrome. Given intact AV conduction the Managed Ventricular Pacing mode algorithm (MVP) was programmed. The day after, she suffered from palpitations. Her ECG showed a possible loss of atrial capture accompanied by atrial undersensing. Telemetry-supported pacemaker control confirmed the loss of capture. Undersensing of atrial signal was functional, related to long atrial refractory period in MVP mode algorithm. Device algorithms could induce false suspicions. Awareness about the different pacing algorithms can be useful in order to avoid erroneous interpretations and to correct potential malfunctioning.

Keywords: Atrial refractory period; Device algorithm; Functional undersensing; MVP.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Algorithms*
Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / methods*
Electrocardiography
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Pacemaker, Artificial*
Sick Sinus Syndrome / therapy*
Telemetry