Cardiac Pacing in Clinical Practice

Cardiac Pacement has undergone a rapid development in technique and application in the last years. Methods of cardiac pacement have become more successful but also more complicated. This book is written for internists in their practice and also for the specialists in cardiology to improve their therapeutic measures being informed about specific problems in cardiac pacement. Apart from the basics of cardiac pacement also indications, selection of pacers, implantation methods and complications are described. A special focus is on postoperative monitoring of the patient. A vast amount of illustrations is combined with very instructive text. This book is for daily practice and desk reference for practicioners and clinicians.

Introduction: A Short History of Cardiac Pacing.- 1 Brief Review of the Anatomy, Electrophysiology and Pathophysiology of the Cardiac Conduction System.- 2 General Technical Concepts.- 3 The Pacing Modes.- 4 Indications for Permanent Pacing and Choice of Pacemaker.- 5 Implantation Techniques.- 6 Complications.- 7 Patient Follow-Up.- 8 Practical Guide to Programming.- 9 Pulse Generator and/or Lead Replacement.- 10 Conclusions.- General.- The Magnet Modes.- Medical Emergencies in Paced Patients.- Questions Asked by Paced Patients.- The Simple Questions.- Environmental Interference.- Appendix to Chapter 2.- Additional Theoretical Notions of Electricity.- Additional Facts on Stimulating the Heart.- Appendix to Chapter 3.- Special Non-Responsive SSI Mode Functions that Control the Escape Rate.- Bradycardia Diagnostic Functions.- Rate Smoothing.- Dynamic Overdrive.- Sleep Rate.- Special Non-Responsive DDD Mode Functions that Control the Escape Rate.- Automatic Search of Spontaneous QRS.- The Vitatron and Pacesetter Systems (AV Search Hysteresis, AVD Scanning).- Automatic Switching from AAI to DDD; the ELA System.- Separate Programming of the Upper P Wave Synchronous Rate and of the Maximal Sensor Rate in DDDR Pacemakers.- The Maximal Sensor Rate (MSR) is Programmed Below the Upper P Wave Synchronous Rate (UR).- The Maximal Sensor Rate Is Programmed at the Upper P Wave Synchronous Rate.- The Maximal Sensor Rate Is Programmed Above the Upper P Wave Synchronous Rate.- Protection Algorithms Against Atrial Arrhythmias.- Lower Rate Timing of the Pacemaker.- The European Pacemaker Cards and Codes 1998.- Further Reading.- Sources of Figures.- Some Internet Addresses.