Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Translational Rabbit Model of Chronic Cardiac Pacing
Published on: January 6, 2023
Ventricular asystole due to inhibition of ventricular backup pacing by a dual chamber pacemaker: possible pitfalls of
F M van de Sandt1, R Jansen, G P Kimman
1Department of Cardiology, Medical Center Alkmaar, Alkmaar, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
A 62-year-old patient presented with dizzy spells after her dual chamber pacemaker (Medtronic Enrhythm P1501DR), implanted for complete AV block, had been reprogrammed to deliver antitachycardia therapy (ATP) for paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Her symptoms were caused by inhibition of ventricular backup pacing during ATP, leading to ventricular asystoles. Inhibition was the result of premature ventricular beats occurring prior to ATP: when ventricular backup pacing is left in the default setting, this pacemaker withholds backup pacing if any of the four preceding events is a sensed event. This case illustrates the possibly hazardous effects of default pacemaker settings, especially in pacemaker-dependent patients. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:323-6.).
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

