Arrhythmias in Patients with Implantable Devices

Abstract

Pacemakers, cardioverter/defibrillators, and implantable loop recorders with their continuously improved diagnostic capabilities offer detailed information that can help interpreting a cardiac arrhythmia in implanted patients. Nevertheless, in some cases, analysis of the electrical signals stored in the device memory may not be easy. An accurate knowledge of the company-specific software and the meaning of the different markers used are necessary to correctly interpret the arrhythmia or diagnose an inappropriate device intervention due to under- or oversensing. This new technology does not replace the "old" surface electrocardiogram but supplements it to improve arrhythmia diagnosis.

Keywords: Cardiac arrhythmias; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Implantable loop recorder; Pacemaker; Pacemaker-mediated tachycardia.