Does anyone understand "Atrial Preference Pacing"?

Hello all, I'm hoping anyone can explain the setting of "Atrial Preference Pacing" does ? This is 1 of the available setting in Medtronic PM that suppose to intervene arrhythmia. But I don't understand how this works. Yes, I did try to read it in the manual, but I still don't get it. I appreciate any explanation. Thank you.

2 Comments

Esoteric, isn't it - APP, that is

by donr - 2013-07-27 11:07:01

Duke: APP is an ALGORITHM that the PM uses to hopefully control arrhythmias. (You knew that!)

An Algorithm is a set of rules that the logic of the PM's computer uses to determine how you will be paced. It may be a mathematical formula or just a set of rules defining a process - ie, a set of decision points for the computer to use based on a flow diagram. It requires the use of sensing, storage and pacing to work.

1) sensing, so that the computer knows what your heart is doing; 2) storage so the computer has a copy of the HISTORY of what the heart is doing. It examines the history on a beat by beat basis - compares the history to the set of rules stored in it, makes a logical decision as to how to pace & 3) sends appropriate pacing signals to the heart.

This feature can be turned on or off; & its rules can be changed withing certain ranges. This is all done by the DR. or Tech - it does not happen automatically.

Here's where judgment comes in - the Cardio looks at your case & decides whether or not APP will help you w/ an arrhythmia. It must be an arrhythmia that a change in Atrial pacing will influence. If he/she thinks this is the case, the APP is turned ON & the parameters in it changed, based on the cardio's judgment. APP then will determine how much to pace JUST the Atria, based on the algorithm. It can ONLY increase the Atrial pacing, not decrease it.

Hope this helps.

(BTW - I had to go read the manual to find out what it is & how it works. Interesting little nugget, eh, what?)

Don

Thanks Don

by IAN MC - 2013-07-27 12:07:48

Great post ! I'm one step nearer to understanding the many mysteries of life !

Cheers

Ian

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