Disturbance in rhythm in 2 patients with a permanent pacemaker and two endocardial electrodes

Rhythm disturbances are described in 2 patients with an implanted permanent pacemaker. Both patients had nonfunctioning electrodes retained after previous complications. It was possible to observe, in both patients, during fluoroscopic examination that the electrodes occasionally touched each other. The etiology of the rhythm disturbances are discussed on the basis of the technical specifications of the pace makers. The interpretation of rhythm disturbances in patients with implanted pacemakers presents special problems. Disturbances in rhythm can be spontaneous and have no relation to, but possibly modified, by the implanted pacemaker. However, the rhythm disturbances can also result from the technical specifications of the implanted pacemaker or from defects in the same. The following case histories disturbances in rhythm in two patients, who both had 2 endocardial electrodes of which only one was connected to the implanted pacemaker.