Biomedical subjects

R Nitzsché

Publications and source records attributed to R Nitzsché.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

A new pacing algorithm for overdrive suppression of atrial fibrillation. Chorus Multicentre Study Group.

Constant rapid pacing may suppress arrhythmias, but it is usually poorly tolerated in the long term. We report a pilot study of a new pacing algorithm for overdrive suppression of atrial premature complexes (APCs) and atrial fibrillation (AF), which prevents postextrasystolic pauses and varies the pacing rate in response to the frequency of APCs. The algorithm was tested in a multiple crossover study for 24 hours in dual chamber pacemakers implanted in 70 patients. Comparison was made on ambulatory recordings between the number of atrial arrhythmias commencing with the algorithm active and inactive. In all cases, the algorithm functioned as designed. No patient was aware of its operation, and no malignant arrhythmias were induced. The 36 recordings that showed atrial arrhythmia were included for analysis. The effects of the algorithm were: APCs (estimated from pacemaker statistics) reduced in 18 patients, increased in 8 (P = 0.02); atrial salvos reduced in 12, increased in 4 (P = 0.041); and AF reduced in 11, increased in 8 (P = NS). In all patients with frequent AF (> 5 episodes in total), fewer episodes occurred when the algorithm was active. We conclude that the algorithm is safe and well tolerated, reduces atrial ectopic activity, and may reduce the frequency of sustained atrial fibrillation.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Diagnosis of atrial arrhythmias using the Holter function of a new DDD pacemaker.

UNLABELLED: The extension of random access memory now makes it possible to store electrocardiographic (ECG) information, referred to here as Holter function (HF), in the memories of new pacemakers, which can be used as diagnostic tools during long-term follow-up. This report describes our experience in 26 consecutive patients for whom the device was used to detect episodes of atrial arrhythmias (AA). An illustrative case is also presented to describe in detail the device's analytical method. RESULTS: Fourteen AA profiles were successfully recorded in 10 patients by the pacemaker HF and correlated with confirmatory simultaneous surface ECG tracings. Three additional profiles were recorded in three other patients without simultaneous ECG recordings. A diagnosis of AA is established when the following findings are combined: (1) in all cases a large number of short interatrial intervals (A INT); (2) in presence of AV block, interventricular intervals (V INT) stored between the lower programmed pacing rate and the upper rate limit or the fallback rate; (3) in absence of AV block, V INT stored between the basic rate and the AV node refractory period; (4) in case of fallback, (VVI function) no stored AV INT; and (5) in absence of fallback, great variability of AV INT (Wenckebach function). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Diagnoses of AA can be made with the pacemaker HF; (2) The homogeneity of the HF profiles makes them useful for long-term follow-up and will probably contribute and clarify the natural history of AA in DDD patients; (3) HF may also serve to monitor the safety and efficacy of antiarrhythmic drug therapy during long-term follow-up.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Use of a new fallback function to prevent endless-loop tachycardias: first clinical results. The Investigators of the Multicenter Study.

The methods used for preventing endless-loop tachycardias (ELTs) most often consist of initiating a long postventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) with the sensing of every event likely to induce ELTs, such as sensed premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). A new fallback function may be useful to prevent the initiation of ELTs. A window of atrial rate acceleration detection (WARAD) is initiated with the sensing of every sinus event and equals 75% of the preceding PP interval. If an atrial event is sensed during this period, as are premature atrial contractions (PACs), no atrioventricular (AV) delay is initiated, but an atrial pulse output is delivered and a subsequent 31-msec AV delay is started. Theoretically retrograde P waves are premature compared to sinus rhythm. They are therefore detected as PACs, and do not initiate AV delay, thus prohibiting the induction of ELTs. This function was tested in six patients, using external or implanted Chorus 2 pacemakers. Short PVARP (203 msec) and high atrial sensibility were programmed. Retrograde conduction was induced either by inefficient atrial pacing or a long programmed AV delay. Two different dual chamber settings were tested: dual chamber pacing with the fallback function On or Off. In every situation, the function proved effective in preventing ELTs: the number of tachycardia episodes went from 124 with the function programmed Off to 5 with the function programmed On for comparable durations. More than 75 ELTs effectively prevented by fallback have been recorded.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Endless-loop tachycardias: description and first clinical results of a new fully automatic protection algorithm.

Endless-loop tachycardia (ELT) is one of the most common pacemaker mediated tachycardia. An innovative ELT protection algorithm has proven to be clinically effective. A new improved version that will eliminate the need to program any parameter is now under clinical evaluation. Nine patients entered the study: six men and three women, aged 52 +/- 22 years. This automatic algorithm needs only 10 cycles to detect and confirm an ELT. Three hundred thirty-three ELTs lasting more than 9 cycles have been induced and analyzed. The total results are the following: mean duration: 6.7 sec +/- 3.1; mean ELT rate: 137 +/- 21.9 bpm, mean programmed upper rate limit (URL): 142.5 +/- 26.5 bpm (Only 70% of ELTs presented rates equal to programmed URL). (1) ELTs reduced by postventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) extension on one cycle: 291 ELTs (87%). ELT rate: 128.5 +/- 18.2 bpm. (2) Retrograde block: algorithm operation may induce a retrograde block due to a short atrioventricular delay (AVD) applied during the confirmation phase to discriminate an ELT from a stable sinus rhythm. Thirty-two ELTs (10%) have been reduced and detected on a retrograde block occurrence. (3) Algorithm failure due to an unstable ventriculoatrial conduction time (VACT) even at fixed rate or to a retrograde Wenckebach behavior on AVD reduction during the confirmation phase. A total of 10 algorithms failed to detect or confirm an ELT have been recorded (3%). Mean duration: 8.2 +/- 4.2 sec, mean ELT rate: 148.9 +/- 14.3 bpm. This new fully automatic algorithm has reduced 97% of ELTs, including high rate episodes (100-175 bpm).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Algorithms↗

PubMed1990

Assistant programming software: a new tool for an improved programming of pacemakers.

Programming the new DDD pacemakers is becoming increasingly difficult. One must take into account the pacemaker's complexity, the fact that some parameters are linked to others, and the clinical profile of the patient. This difficult problem will lead to the design of software to assist programming, which will help the implanting physicians in choosing adequate programmed settings adapted to the functioning of the device and to the physiology and pathology of the patient. These programming aides should meet certain basic requirements to make them safe, efficient, and easy to use. One such system designed by ELA Médical, "Programming Assistant" is herein described. The preliminary results of an initial study on the acceptance of this programming aide among physicians involved in cardiac pacing are given and discussed.

Adult↗