Question

Compare and contrast the indications for dual chambered pacemakers, single chambered pacemakers and ICDs.

Describe the four faces of DDD pacing. Show an ECG example of one of these faces, include your full interpretation of the ECG findings.

Answer 1

Ans) In a single-chamber system, one lead is used, most commonly pacing the right ventricle. Dual-chamber pacemakers have two leads, placed in the right atrium and right ventricle. They act synchronously when a slow natural heart rate is detected to mimic the sequential physiological contraction of the atria and ventricles.

- If your arrhythmia is serious, you may need a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). They are devices that are implanted in your chest or abdomen. A pacemaker helps control abnormal heart rhythms.

- An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery-powered device placed in your chest to monitor your heart rhythm and detect irregular heartbeats. An ICD can deliver electric shocks via one or more wires connected to your heart to fix an abnormal heart rhythm.

- The first D in DDD is the area PACED. The D stands for DUAL, so this pacemaker, paces both the atrium and the ventricle. The second letter stands for Area SENSED, so this pacemaker senses both the atrium and the ventricle. The third letter stands for what it does, and the D stands for Dual inhibited.