[Restoration of effective artificial cardiac pacing by isoproterenol]

Since the pacing threshold of artificial pacemakers sometimes increases and causes ineffective pacing, emergency restoration of cardiac pacing may occasionally be required. In such situations sympathomimetic agents, such as isoproterenol, increase excitability and lower threshold. A 83-year-old man with acute ineffective pacing and hemodynamic instability is reported. Intravenous administration of isoproterenol restored effective, artificial cardiac pacing.