Pacemakers Flashcards
Methods for temporary cardiac pacing
- Transcutaneous
- Transesophageal
- Transvenous
- Epicardial
Preferred pacing method in an emergency
Transcutaneous
Disadvantages to transcutaneous pacing
- It’s painful
- Least effective capture (40-80 mA)
- Ventricular only pacing
Placement options for transesophageal pacing
- Have pt swallow pill electrode that is connected to a pacing wire
- Insert a flexible catheter connected to a pacing wire
Disadvantages to transesophageal pacing
- Only paces the atria
- Requires relatively high current for capture (>20mA)
- Is uncomfortable and requires sedation if possible
Advantage of transesophageal pacing
No need for x-rays or cath lab
When is temporary transvenous pacing indicated?
If a patient is stable or if transcutaneous pacing isn’t working
How is the pacing function of the temporary transvenous pacing controlled?
Through an external pacemaker box
Why does temporary transvenous pacing take longer?
It requires central line placement and leads to be placed through the central line
Advantages to temporary transvenous placement
- A provider can place atrial and ventricular leads
- Provides more effective capture
- Does not require as much energy for capture (1.5-3mA)
Disadvantages to temporary transvenous placement
- More time consuming
2. Requires expert placement
What is epicardial pacing?
- Leads are sewn into myocardium when chest is open during cardiac surgery
- Pacing is controlled through external pacemaker box
Permanent pacemaker consisting of a pulse generator that is connected to pacing wires that have been inserted into the heart via the subclavian vein
Cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED)
3 types of CIEDs
- Pacemakers
- Automated implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
- Chronic resynchronization therapy (CRT or biventricular pacemakers)
2 primary reasons for a patient to receive a pacemaker
- To pace patients with slow heart rates
2. To improve the timing of atrial and ventricular beats in patients with complete heart block
Can provide pacing, synchronized cardioversion and antitachycardia pacing in addition to defibrillation
Intravascular ICDs
Indicated only for defibrillation
Subcutaneous ICDs
Improves ventricular synchrony in pts with HF with 2 ventricular leads
Biventricular pacemakers (CRT)
What should you do when they test the ICD?
Give a small propofol bolus prior to shock
Refers to cardiac cells responding to pacemaker stimulation
Capture
Refers to minimum current level at which capture is observed
Pacing threshold
Normal capture for transvenous/epicardial approach
1.5-3mA
Normal capture for transcutaneous approach
40-80 mA
Current at which the pacemaker maintains capture
Maintenance threshold
How do you determine the maintenance threshold?
At least 10% higher than the pacing threshold
How sensitive the pacemaker is to sensing electrical activity within the heart
Sensitivity threshold
If pacemaker sensitivity is too high,
it may not pace as much as it should
If pacemaker sensitivity is too low,
it may pace when it is not supposed to
Pace at which the pacemaker is typically programmed
60 bpm
How can you tell if a heart beat comes from a pacemaker?
If there is a pacer spike prior to a P wave or QRS complex
True/false. If a patient has a pacemaker, the SA node can still initiate heart beats
True
Why is it dangerous to have 2 potential sources of heart beats?
If the R wave occurs during the time that a T wave should occur (R on T phenomenon), it can lead to vfib/vtach
Pacing mode that ensures only one source is providing current to the heart at a given time through sensing
Demand mode
When does the pacemaker initiate heart beats in demand mode?
If the HR is too low
What happens to a demand pacemaker during cautery?
It will stop pacing as it senses surgical cautery to be electrical activity of the heart
When is a patient pacemaker dependent?
If the rely on their pacemaker to have normal cardiac output
When the pacemaker cannot sense anything, and is therefore constantly pacing
Asynchronous mode
Advantage of asynchronous mode
The pacemaker will not stop pacing during cautery, preventing cautery induced bradycardia
Disadvantage of asynchronous mode
Can lead to R on T phenomenon if the paced rate is slower than the intrinsic rate
How to prevent R on T phenomenon with asynchronous mode
Ensure the paced rate is greater than the intrinsic rate
How can the anesthetist ensure the pt’s intrinsic rate is slower than what the asynchronous rate would be?
Give beta blockers
When should the pacemaker be converted to asynchronous mode?
If the pt was experiencing clinically significant and prolonged cautery induced bradycardia
How does the pacemaker get converted to asynchronous mode?
The anesthetist can place a magnet over it or the pacemaker rep can reprogram it prior to surgery