Knowing About Device Algorithms to Understand the Rhythm and Role of Managed Ventricular Pacing.

ABSTRACT

A 66-year-old patient with a DR pacemaker for intermittent atrioventricular block presented with an electrocardiogram (ECG) showing some P waves non followed by QRS complexes, raising suspicion of device dysfunction. The device was equipped with a special algorithm (Managed Ventricular Pacing; Medtronic), and the observed ECG tracing was a normal consequence of the function of such algorithms. Being aware of the function of specific algorithms is essential to adequately analyze rhythms.