PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 6169046

Externally induced irreversible runaway pacemaker.

L M Van Gelder·M I El Gamal
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

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.

Explore related subjects

Adams-Stokes SyndromeAgedEquipment FailureHeart BlockHumansMalePacemaker, ArtificialCase ReportsJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

L M Van Gelder, M I El Gamal. 1981. Externally induced irreversible runaway pacemaker.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8159.1981.tb06231.x

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2006

'Cardiogenic vertigo'--true vertigo as the presenting manifestation of primary cardiac disease.

BACKGROUND: A 90-year-old woman presented to a hospital emergency department with a brief loss of consciousness that was heralded by spinning vertigo lasting approximately 2 min. She had a long history of intermittent brief episodes of rotatory vertigo, presyncope, and non-vertiginous dizziness, occurring either with or without loss of consciousness. Although initially attributed to symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, these episodes persisted, despite surgical restoration of carotid artery blood flow 1 year after her first syncope. Her medical history was otherwise notable for hypertension, mild depression and a gradual decline in gait and balance function attributed to left hip arthritis and older age. INVESTIGATIONS: Bedside history and examination, non-contrast head CT scan, electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiogram, and bedside cardiac telemetry. DIAGNOSIS: Sick sinus syndrome or severe reflex bradycardia with asystole causing recurrent, episodic vertigo, presyncope, non-vertiginous dizziness and syncope (Stokes-Adams attacks). MANAGEMENT: Placement of a temporary pacing wire, followed by surgical implantation of a single-chamber ventricular (VVI) pacemaker.

Adams-Stokes Syndrome↗
PubMed2006

William Osler: slow pulse, stokes-adams disease, and sudden death in families.

In 1903, William Osler, then at Johns Hopkins University, published "On the So-Called Stokes-Adams Disease (Slow Pulse with Syncopal Attacks, etc.)" in The Lancet, classifying a syndrome in evolution. There are thinly disguised references to a brother and to himself in the article, suggesting that Osler was concerned about a family and personal predisposition. Osler's decision to move to Oxford was triggered in part by his personal concerns about cardiac disease. Then, in 1909, Osler contributed a chapter on Stokes-Adams disease to Allbutt and Rolleston's A System of Medicine, complemented by a brilliant pathologic section by the renowned anatomist-morphologist, Arthur Keith. Osler's original contributions involved his emphasis on the importance of family history, his careful clinical and natural history observations, and his recognition of the familial occurrence of bradycardia, Stokes-Adams disease, sudden death, and cardiomyopathy.

Adams-Stokes Syndrome↗