Electrophysiology Terms N-P

Question 1

Nips

Answer 1

noninvasive EP programmed stimulation, a feature of certain devices allowing implanted device to be used for repeated EP testing in the patient

Question 2

Noninvasive

Answer 2

A medical instrument or procedure that does not require cutting skin

Question 3

NonSustained episode

Answer 3

A tachyarrhythmia episode that terminates spontaneously before an ICD can deliver therapy

Question 4

NASPE

Answer 4

a professional medical society based in the united states dedicated to the promotion of professional standards and education in the fields of pacing and EP

Question 5

Ohm

Answer 5

the basic unit of electrical resistance and / or impedance

Question 6

Ohm’s Law

Answer 6

The formula relating voltage, current and resistancein any electrical system and usually expressed as E = IR

Question 7

One to One Capture

Answer 7

the stimulation, depolarization and contraction of a cardiac chamber caused by a pulse generator output pulse in a relationship of one contraction for each output

Question 8

Orthodromic Reciprocating Tachycardia

Answer 8

a reentrant tachycardia conducting in an anteretrograde direction through the AV node with an accessory pathway serving as the retrograde limb

Question 9

Output

Answer 9

the electrical stimulus delivered by the pulse generator

Question 10

Overdrive Pacing

Answer 10

a general term for pacing in which the base rate is programmed higher than the patient’s intrinsic rhythm, causing the pulse generator to pace all the time. in overdrive pacing the pulse generator gains electrical control of the heart, which can be effective in terminating or preventing certain tachycardias or other arrhythmias

Question 11

Oxygen Saturation Sensor

Answer 11

A sensor using a light emitting diode and photoelectric cell, incorporated into the body of a lead to detect the oxygen saturation level within the venous blood stream

Question 12

P wave

Answer 12

an intrinsic atrial event

Question 13

Pacemaker Syndrome

Answer 13

Adverse hemodynamic and / or EP consequncs associated with an electrically normal pacing system. Induces symptoms ranging from minor to severe; limit the patient’s ability to achieve optimal status

Question 14

Pacing System Analyzer (PSA)

Answer 14

An external testing and measuring device which an pace the heart during implantation and measure stimulation thresholds, sensing thresholds and lead impedance.

Question 15

Peel Away sheath

Answer 15

A specially designed percutaneous introducer for catheters such as lead

Question 16

Precutaneous

Answer 16

through the skin. Endocardial leads are inserted through the skin into a blood vessel, then advance into the heart

Question 17

Perforation

Answer 17

A puncture wound

Question 18

Phrenic Nerve

Answer 18

The nerve controlling rhythmic contraction of the diaphragm, which can sometimes be inadvertently stimulated by a laterally - positioned atrial lead

Question 19

Pneumothorax

Answer 19

An accumulation of air in the pleural cavity. This may be complication of a subclavian puncture or it may occur spontaneously

Question 20

Pocket

Answer 20

the subcutaneous cavity created surgically at the time of implantation to hold the pulse generator

Question 21

PR interval

Answer 21

the interval corresponding to the PR pacing state

Question 22

Preexcitation

Answer 22

Activation of all or part of the ventricular myocardium by an accessory pathway at an earlier time than if conduction had occurred only through the normal AV conduction system.

Question 23

PAC

Answer 23

a native depolarization arising in the atrium which is premature with respect to the basic sinus cycle.

Question 24

Premature Stimulus

Answer 24

A programmed electrical stimulus critically timed either from a preceding stimulus or an intrinsic spontaneous even. Premature stimuli are used to asses the conduction system, to assess the refractoriness of various structures, and to initiate or terminate tachycardias

Question 25

PVC

Answer 25

A native depolarization arising from an ectopic location in the ventricle and occurring early with respect to the next expected conducted ventricular depolarized

Question 26

Programmer

Answer 26

A device used to noninvasive interrogate, monitor, and change the operating parameters of a pacemaker or defibrillator

Question 27

Programming wand

Answer 27

the communication link between the programmer and the device

Question 28

Propagation

Answer 28

The effective conduction of an impulse from one point to another point more remote from the source

Question 29

Pseudofusion beat

Answer 29

a spontaneous cardiac depolarization occuring at or near a pulse generator output pulse. The pacemaker output is ineffective, but it distorts the morphology of the complex on the ECG

Question 30

Pulse Width

Answer 30

the length of time, measured in ms, that the output pulse is delivered.