Pacemaker Syndrome

The pacemaker syndrome is a term for an unnatural heart rhythm - caused by a pacemaker in VVI mode - which can lead to palpitations , dizziness and disturbances of consciousness up to unconsciousness .

Pacemaker syndrome typically occurs in patients with sinus node syndrome or AV blockages , who at least temporarily still have functioning atrial intrinsic action. With pure ventricular stimulation by a VVI pacemaker , these atrial actions are not perceived (missing atrial probe!). This can lead to the (natural) atrial contraction occurring after the ventricular contraction has started (initiated by the pacemaker). The AV valves are already closed in this phase and the blood is pumped from the atria back into the pulmonary veins or the upper and lower vena cava. The subsequent diastolic influx into the ventricles is therefore lower, which can significantly reduce the cardiac output. This effect is also known as atrial grafting. This can lead to the above Cause symptoms.

In addition, the contraction of the atria when the AV valves are closed leads to an overstretching of the atria, which increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (mechano-electrical feedback).

literature

• Hans-Joachim Trappe: News from cardiology and rhythmology . Implications for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. Springer Science & Business Media, 2009, ISBN 978-3-7985-1885-8 , pp. 64 ( Google Books ).
• Erland Erdmann: Clinical Cardiology . Diseases of the heart, the circulatory system and the vessels near the heart. Springer-Verlag, 2011, ISBN 978-3-642-16481-1 , pp. 81 ff . ( Google Books ).

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !