Activation times for "emergency back-up" programs

• Published in: Pacing and clinical electrophysiology Vol. 13; no. 10; p. 1224
• Main Authors: Sweesy, M W, Batey, R L, Forney, R C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-10-1990
• Subjects: Electrocardiography; Equipment Design; Humans; Microcomputers; Pacemaker, Artificial; Software; Software Validation; Syncope - prevention & control; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0147-8389
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.1990.tb02018.x

A bench study was performed on 34 different pulse generators to evaluate the time necessary to actuate an "emergency back-up" (EBU) program. Pacemakers were programmed to loss of capture before the EBU was activated. Two pauses were measured that included the total pause from captured beat to captured beat and the time from the first pacing artifact showing loss of capture to the first captured beat resulting from EBU activation. Special features for threshold testing such as temporary pacing, auto threshold, Vario, and an alternating pulse ventricular threshold test were also evaluated. Activation times of the EBU ranged from 1.8 to 11.1 seconds with total pauses of 2.7 to 13.2 seconds, respectively. There were considerable variations in EBU times even within a single manufacturers' pulse generators. The special features for threshold testing resulted in pauses measuring 0.6 to 3.0 seconds with total pauses of 1.2 to 4.0 seconds, respectively, and in all cases were faster than using the EBU. Utilization of the EBU to regain capture during threshold testing in pacemaker dependent patients may result in prolonged pauses and syncope or near syncopal episodes.