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How pacemakers work and simple programming: a primer for the non-electrophysiologist

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 January 2017

Christine Chiu-Man*
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*
Correspondence to: C. Chiu-Man, MSc, Department of Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X8. Tel: 416-813-6223; Fax: 416-813-8398; E-mail: christine.chiu-man@sickkids.ca

Abstract

Paediatric pacemaker management is challenging because of the small patient size, complex cardiac anatomy, and unique programming considerations. Hardware placement options include epicardial and transvenous systems. When pacemaker malfunction is suspected, a systematic approach is required to determine whether there is malfunction in pacing, sensing, or no output due to hardware problem. In most cases, simple reprogramming may circumvent the problem and allow retention of the pacemaker system.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2017 

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