Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
09:45
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children
Published on: April 29, 2013
Rate-adaptive cardiac pacing in children using a minute ventilation biosensor
S M Yabek1, J Wernly, T W Chick
1Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|December 11, 1990
Summary
This study shows that minute ventilation accurately tracks children's metabolic needs during exercise. This allows for physiological, rate-adaptive pacing in young patients with bradycardia.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Chronotropic competence is crucial for maintaining cardiac output during physical activity.
- Pediatric bradycardia, due to complete heart block or sinus node dysfunction, necessitates effective pacing solutions.
- Rate-adaptive pacemakers aim to mimic physiological heart rate responses to exercise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a minute ventilation-based rate-adaptive ventricular demand pacemaker (Telectronics, META-MV) in young patients.
- To determine if minute ventilation can accurately reflect metabolic demands and guide pacing in children.
- To assess the pacing rate response during exercise and recovery in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Seven young patients (mean age 11.4 years) with bradycardia underwent exercise testing with the META-MV pacemaker.
- Pacing rate was adjusted based on minute ventilation, a measure of respiratory rate and volume.
- Heart rate, workload, oxygen consumption (VO2), and minute ventilation were monitored during exercise and recovery.
Main Results:
- Paced heart rates increased significantly from 70 ± 10 beats/min to 151 ± 19 beats/min during exercise.
- Rate adaptation occurred rapidly, with onset in under 30 seconds.
- Changes in pacing rate showed a linear correlation with workload, VO2, and minute ventilation.
- Pacing rate reduction post-exercise was directly related to decreases in minute ventilation and VO2.
Conclusions:
- Minute ventilation serves as a reliable and accurate indicator of metabolic demand during varying workloads in children.
- The Telectronics META-MV pacemaker effectively provides physiological, rate-adaptive pacing in pediatric patients.
- Minute ventilation-triggered pacing is a viable strategy for managing bradycardia in children during physical activity.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pulse rhythm
Pulse rhythm refers to the pattern of pulsations within specific intervals, offering valuable insights into the regularity or irregularity of the heart's beats as observed through the pattern of pulsation within specific intervals. A regular pulse exhibits a consistent heart rate with uniform waveforms and pulsation force, variations of which can be classified as normal, weak, or bounding.
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac muscle...
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac muscle...
01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
Assessment of Ventilation
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:19Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Assessing respiratory rate concurrently with pulse measurement is fundamental to patient care, providing valuable insights into the patient's respiratory function. The normal breathing rate for an adult usually falls within a normal range of 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Abnormal respiratory rates can signal underlying health conditions or the need for immediate intervention.
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is important.
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is important.
01:14Ventilatory Modes
Mechanical ventilators are life-saving devices that support or replace spontaneous breathing. They deliver breaths to patients through varying methods known as ventilator modes. Understanding these modes is critical for healthcare providers managing patients with respiratory failure.
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...