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Using ATP option in ICD
This board had an article dated in 2004: "Pacing can replace shock to restore heart rhythm." There were 10 comments, but I can't figure out how to access them.
Basically though, there is an optional setting (on my Guidant ICD anyway) called ATP for AntiTacycardiaPacing. If the ICD detects a bad rhythm, it will FIRST try to speed up the heart to get back into a normal rhythm BEFORE deciding to issue a shock. In a number of cases, a shock is avoided.
My ATP function is set to "disabled" and I am wondering why particularly since I have had 8 shocks over the last two years. Any feedback much appreciated.
2 Comments
Why ICD fires
by mrag - 2009-02-08 12:02:36
Clarification: So far, all of the 8 or so times my ICD has fired has been when I am in V tack.
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Depends
by ElectricFrank - 2009-02-07 10:02:30
It depends on why your ICD is firing. The ATP will only help if you are having tachycardia where it can pace faster that the natural tachy to disrupt the rhythm, and then slow it back down.
The ICD also fires on Vfib or arrest. In these cases the heart won't respond to pacing so a jolt is the only possibility with enough energy to get your hearts attention (and yours).
The ICD should be storing information as to why it fired and they may have turned it off to speed up response to a serious event.
The other possibility is that the person doing the programming doesn't know how to use ATP.
frank