MDT Algorhythms Flashcards
What is the purpose of the Ventricular Safety Period (VSP)?
prevents cross talk or the inhibition of ventricular pacing d/t the sensing of an atrial event
How does the Ventricular Safety Pacing (VSP) algorithm prevent crosstalk?
- prevents cross talk by sensing for a “ventricular event” within a 110ms window following an atrial sensed event
- any “VS” in window will be ignored and VP will occur after 110ms
What is the Ventricular Safety Pacing window length?
110ms
Ventricular Safety Period (VSP) is available when device is operating in what modes?
- DDDR
- DDD
- DDIR
- DDI
- DVIR
- DVI
Sensing Assurance helps ensure the appropriate detection of which rhythm(s)?
- Atrial Fibrillation
What does the Auto-Adjusting Sensitivity algorithm do?
- in Ventricular channel, allows for programming low sensitivity levels (0.3mV) that will sense fine, variable VF signals while auto-adjusting to prevent T-wave sensing
- in atrial channel, ensures proper P-wave and AF sensing
What does Atrial Capture Management (ACM) do?
- automatically monitors atrial pacing thresholds at periodic intervals and determines output based on programmable safety margin and minimum amplitude
What does the Lead Monitor feature do?
measures the impedance of the connected lead(s)
What does Implant Detect do?
ensures that pacing and sensing polarities are set appropriately at the time of implant
What does the Sleep Function do?
suspends the programmed lower rate and replaces it with a sleep rate
What does the Single Chambr/Rate Hysteresis algorithm do?
- promotes intrinsic activity below the programmed lower rate
- prevents device from pacing/overriding slow but appropriate intrinsic rhythms (inactivity/sleep)
- only for single chamber modes with RR off
How does the Auto-Adjusting Sensitivity algorithm work?
- automatically decreases sensitivity beat-beat to the smaller of the following:
- 10x programmed value
- 75% of P-R interval
- then sensitivity decays, gradually returning to programmed value
What does ACR stand for in relation to Atrial Capture Management?
Atrial Chamber Reset Method
What does AVC stand for in relation to Atrial Capture Management?
AV Conduction Method
What does Ventricular Capture Management (RA/RVCM) do?
automatically monitors ventricular pacing thresholds at periodic intervals and determines output based on programmable safety margin and minimum amplitude
What are the 2 Atrial Capture Management (ACM) methods to pacing thresholds?
- Atrial Chamber Rest Method (ACR)
- AV Conduction Method (AVR)
Which method is used to calculate pacing thresholds if ACM senses 8 consecutive VS events and stable 1:1 AV conduction?
- AV Conduction Method - overdrives atria by 15 bpm but no faster than 101 bpm
- no R-wave = loss of capture
When will ACM use the AV Conduction method to calculate the pacing thresholds?
if ACM senses 8 consecutive VS events and stable 1:1 AV conduction
When will ACM use the Atrial Chamber Reset method to calculate the pacing thresholds?
if ACM senses 8 consecutive AS events and a HR < 87bpm
How often does Atrial Capture Management check threshold measurements?
QD at 0100 or 1 am
How often does Atrial Capture Management check threshold measurements?
QD at 0100 or 1 am
Which algorithm measures lead impedances?
lead monitor
How does RV Capture Management (RVCM) work?
- paces RV and decrements output until loss of capture
- 3 support cycles -> test pace -> back up pace will occur after 90ms at programmed amplitude and pulse width of 1.0
How does Implant Detection work?
auto-polarity configuration delivers 3 asynchronous pulses at 85 bpm, 5 min after lead connection and again after 30 mins if first test is a failure
What happens if device fails Implant Detections 5 min post lead connection bipolar test?
- polarity is permanently set to unipolar
- if lead is bipolar, another test will be performed after 30 minutes
What features are suspended until the Implant Detection algorithm/feature is turned off?
- rate response
- managed ventricular pacing (MVP)
- sensing assurance
- capture management (CM)
- diagnostic date collection
What happens if the device fails the Implant Detection polarity test done 5 mins after implant?
device is set to unipolar and another test is done after 30 mins
How does the sleep function work?
at a set bed time, the lower rate is reduced/changed to programmed sleep rate
Is the sleep function nominally on or off?
it is off, needs to be turned on and programmed
How does the Single Chamber/Rate Hysteresis algorithm work?
- lower rate is temporarily suspended and the Hysteresis rate becomes the new escape rate
- pacing is inhibited as long as the intrinsic beat stays above the hysteresis rate
What does the Managed Ventricular Pacing (MVP) algorithm do?
- promotes intrinsic conduction by reducing unnecessary RV pacing
- provides atrial based pacing with ventricular backup
What is considered persistent AV conduction loss by the Managed Ventricular Pacing (MVP) feature and what will the device do?
- 2 of 4 most recent beats show loss of ventricular conduction
- device switches to DDDR or DDD mode
MVP mode is an appropriate therapy for which type of patient?
pts with SND and good AV conduction
What is the goal of the Search AV+ algorithm?
Promotes intrinsic ventricular activity by reducing unnecessary RV pacing
How does Search AV+ work?
- adjusts SAV/PAV intervals based on AV conduction time of 8/16 VS events to promote intrinsic activation of the ventricles
- if 8 of 16 are paced, too long or too short program takes action.
- AV conduction divided into 3 zones, then adjustments are made (time, too short, too long)
What are the zones used by the Search AV+ algorithm to determine how to adjust the SAV/PAV interval?
- time
- too short: ≥8 VS events occurred within > 55ms of scheduled VP
- too long: ≥8 VS events occurred 15ms before scheduled VP or were paced events
What does the PM do if the Search AV+ algorithm determines that AV conduction is too long?
Lengthens the SAV and PAV intervals by 62ms to promote intrinsic conduction
What does the PM do if the Search AV+ algorithm determines that AV conduction is too short?
Shortens the SAV and PAV intervals by 8ms to promote intrinsic conduction
What is the purpose of the Mode Switch feature?
to prevent rapid ventricular pacing r/t the tracking of paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias
What does the Mode Switch feature do?
- switches to atrial non-tracking mode (DDIR or VDIR) when an atrial tachyarrhythmia is detected then switches back when episode ceases
What are the Mode Switch detection criteria for low power devices (Adapta, Versa, Sensia)?
- if 4 of 7 consecutive A-A are faster then the mode switch rate
- atrial rate is ≥ detection rate and duration criteria is satisfied
What is the Blanked flutter search feature in relation to the Mode Switch and how does it work?
- monitors for 2:1 blanking of Atrial events
- q90 secs, checks for 8 consecutive A-A intervals < TAB x 2 and an
atrial rate > 1/2 the mode switch detect rate - extends PVARP to 300ms to uncover blanked AS events
- will mode switch if 2 A events are seen (AR-AS-VP or AR-AS-VS)
- if no AS is uncovered, an AP will occur 30ms after the 2nd AS was expected to happen
What are/is the criteria needed for the Mode Switch feature to return to atrial tracking mode?
- 7 consecutive A-A intervals longer than UTR
or - 5 consecutive AP occurs
Mode Switch and MVP modes adjust pacing according to what criteria?
- pts atrial rhythm and AV conduction status
When should the feature Mode Switch be turned on?
- is nominally on after leads are connected
- important if pt has a hx of, or is suspected to have atrial arrhythmias
Which feature adapts the pacing rate to changes in the pts physical activity?
Rate Response
How does Auto PVARP protect against pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT)?
- lengthens PVARP when HR is low and shortens PVARP as HR increases to maintain 1:1 tracking
- allows 1:1 atrial tracking up to 30 bpm above the HR or up to 100 bpm, whichever is greater
In Advisa PM, ICD and CRT devices, Automatic PVARP makes adjustments based on what?
- pts current HR as measured by the RR median interval
In Adapta, Versa, and Sensia PMs, Automatic PVARP makes adjustments based on what?
- the mean atrial rate (MAR)
- avg of all A-A intervals except thos starting with an AS or AR sense and ending with an AP
What is the purpose of the Auto PVARP feature?
- to protect against pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT)
- helps keep 2:1 block rate above the UTR
What does the Rate Adaptive AV (RAAV) feature do?
- mimics normal physiologic response of shortening AV conduction times w/ increase HR and lengthening w/ decrease in HR
What is the purpose of the Rate Adaptive AV (RAAV) feature?
helps keep 2:1 block rate above UTR
How does the Rate Adaptive AV (RAAV) feature help keep the 2:1 block rate above the UTR?
- shortens the AV interval for atrial rates within the programmed Start/Stop rate
What does the “Start Rate” determine in r/t the RAAV?
rate at which shortening of the SAV and PAV intervals begin
What does the “Stop Rate” determine in r/t the RAAV?
rate at which the shortest SAV and PAV interval occur
How does shortening the SAV interval increase atrial sensing?
- shortening the total refractory period (TARP) and increasing the 2:1 block rate
How does shortening the PAV interval increase atrial sensing?
- lengthen the atrial sensing window of the VA interval at higher sensor driven rates
What are the criteria for PMT?
- 8 consecutive VA intervals < 400ms in duration
- start with VP event
- end with AS event
How does Pacemaker Mediated Tachycardia Intervention treat PMT?
- increases PVARP to 400ms for one cycle after the 9th VP event
- next atrial event should be an atrial refractory (AR) event
What is the cause of PMT?
the sensing and tracking of retrograde P-waves d/t loss of AV synchrony causing ventricular pacing at the UTR
Are atrial refractory events tracked by the ventricle?
- no
- atrial events falling with the PVARP do no start SAV timer, therefore are not tracked by the ventricles
How does the device confirm PMT prior to lengthening the PVARP by the PMT intervention feature?
- device temporarily extends the SAV interval by 50ms for 1 beat and evals changes in the VP-AS interval
- performed 3x if necessary
- if VP-AS intervals remains consistent = PMT
Once PMT intervention occurs, the feature is automatically suspended for how long?
85-90 secs (based on device)
What is the purpose of PVC Response?
to prevent PMT
How does PVC Response prevent PMT?
- extends PVARP 400ms after sensing a PVC
- Atrial events falls within PVARP = not tracked
What is the purpose of Non-Competitive Atrial Pacing (NCAP) feature?
- to prevent the triggering of atrial tachycardias
- prevent “competitive pacing”
How does the Non-Competitive Atrial Pacing (NCAP) feature prevent atrial tachycardias?
- stops delivery of AP during atrial refractory period
- sense AR event starts 300ms NCAP period, device will not AP in this window
What are TDI/FDI?
- programmable zones that identify VF and VT
- Tachy detect interval
- Fibrillation detect interval
What type of counter is used to detect VF?
- probabilistic counter
- 30/40 beats = 30 of last 40 beats must be VF for detection to occur
What type of counter is used to detect VT?
- consecutive counter
- a VS will reset counter to zero
When does the device us a combined count when analyzing a rhythm?
when tachyarrhythmias jump between the Vf and VT detection zones
When does the device detect VF using the combined count method?
if any of the last 8 invervals are in the VF zone (FS)
When does the device detect Vt using the combined count method?
if 8 of 8 last intervals are in VT zone
What are the types of Ventricular ATP?
- burst
- ramp
- ramp+
ATP is used to treat?
VT and FVT, arrhythmias with single reentry circuit
Cardioversion (RV) is used to treat?
VT and FVT
What is the most important step to perform prior to cardioversion?
synchronize and deliver shock on the R-wave
What does the defibrillation feature do?
simultaneously depolarizes the heart tissue to restore NSR
Defibrillation is used to treat?
VF episodes
How do you program VSP in pacemakers?
- is nominally on
- params -> additional features
How do you program VSP in ICD?
- is nominally on
- pacing -> params -> additional features
In what modes are sensitivity adjustments by the Sensing Assurance feature allowed?
- allowed in VDD and MVP(R)
In what modes are sensitivity adjustments by the Sensing Assurance feature not allowed?
- not allowed in AAT/VVT modes
How do you turn Sensing Assurance on?
- is nominally on
- params -> atrial/ventricular sensitivity
What are the steps taken by the Sensing Assurance feature when adjusting sensitivity values?
1) calculates “Target Sensing Margin” based on the sensitivity setting, type of lead and its polarity
2) P- and R-wave compared to target margin and classified as low, adequate or high amplitude
3) adjust sensitivity
- if 17 consecutive beats are “Low”, sensitivity is adjusted to the next programmable value that is more sensitive
- if 36 consecutive beats are “High”, sensitivity is adjusted to the next programmable value that is less sensitive
When would the Sensing Assurance feature adjust the sensitivity to the next programmable value that is more sensitive (decrease sensitivity value)?
- if 17 consecutive beats (P- or R- wave) are classified as “Low”
When would the Sensing Assurance feature adjust the sensitivity to the next programmable value that is less sensitive (increase sensitivity value)?
- if 36 consecutive beats (P- and/or R-waves) are classified as “High”
Auto-adjusting Sensitivity is used to ensure detection of what rhythm(s)?
- fine, variable V-Fib
- A-Fib
How is Ventricular CM turned on in pacemakers?
- automatically turned on after Implant Detection is complete
How is Ventricular CM turned on in ICDs’/CRT-Ds?
1) params
2) pacing
3) RV amplitude
4) capture management
Capture Management will not program ventricular outputs above what value?
- 5.0V or 1.0ms
- will need to be programmed manually
What are 3 programming options that promote intrinsic ventricular activaion?
- program long AV delay (SAV/PAV)
- turn on Search AV+
- turn on MVP
What are the programming options to manage/prevent Cross-Talk?
- reduce atrial output
- increase vent sensing value (make less sensitive)
- program to bipolar if possible
How does the Managed Ventricular Pacing feature know when to mode switch back to AAI-AAIR?
- performs periodic checks, will switch back to AAIR or AAI mode if AV conduction has resumed
- starts after 1 min, then doubles up to 16 hrs, then checks every 16hrs
- ex: 1min, 2min, 4min, 8min ->16hrs, 16hrs….
What is considered transient AV conduction loss by the Managed Ventricular Pacing (MVP) feature and what will the device do?
- if AV conduction is lost in 1 of last 4 beats
- device remains in AAI(R) and gives a backup VP 80ms after the next scheduled AP of non-conducted beat
- VS events within the 80ms window will not inhibit VP which will fall in the refractory period
What is the criteria for the Search AV+ feature to consider an AV interval to short?
- 8/16 VS events occurred within >55ms of scheduled VP
What is the criteria for the Search AV+ feature to consider an AV interval to long?
- 8/16 VS events occurred 15ms before scheduled VP or were paced events
What is the Search AV+ features response to an AV interval that is too short?
shortens the SAV and PAV by 8ms for 16 beats
What is the Search AV+ features response to an AV interval that is too long?
lengthens the SAV and PAV by 62ms for 16 beats
What is the Wenchebach safety margin to use when programming the 2:1 block rate (TARP)?
program 2:1 block rate 30bpms higher than the upper tracking rate
Why should the 2:1 block rate be programmed to 30bpms higher than the upper tracking rate
to provide a Wenchebach safety window
What is the next step if the programmed minimum PVARP value is reached and 2:1 block rate is still lower than the UTR?
shorten the SAV interval increase the 2:1 block rate
Which pts should have Auto-PVARP turned on?
pts with chronotropic incompetence, chronic or paroxysmal AF
How does the device calculate the mean atrial rate?
looks at a rolling window of 4 beats
How does the NCAP feature prevent R-R intervals that are to long following their 300ms window?
feature shortens the SAV following each NCAP window
What is the minimum value that the NCAP feature will shorten the SAV interval?
30ms
What is the safety margin to use when programming the VT zone?
add 40ms to the pts known VT cycle length
What do for the following refer to regarding vectors:
1) HVA
2) HVB
3) HVX
1) can
2) RV coil
3) extra, usually the SVC coil
What does TF with a dot next to the F (TF∙) mean when seen in the marker channel?
- FVT via VF is programmed
- beat falls in FVT via VF zone
What does TF with a vertical line next to the F mean when seen in the marker channel?
- last 8 beats are in the FVT via VF zone
- FVT is detected