Externally induced irreversible runaway pacemaker

An implanted ventricular demand pulse generator started firing at a rate of 1200 ppm during routine pacemaker follow-up utilizing the Vitatron VA 1000 pacemaker analyzer. This resulted in complete loss of capture; fortunately the patient had an intrinsic heart rate of 50 bpm and remained asymptomatic. Emergency replacement of the pulse generator resulted in re-establishment of effective ventricular pacing. An artificial origin of the impulses from the measuring equipment was excluded. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of an externally induced irreversible runaway pacemaker.