pacemaker syndrome

A complication that occurs during ventricular pacing in patients who have intact retrograde conduction between the ventricle & the atria. Pathology: 1) retrograde conduction of ventricular impulse to atrium 2) simultaneous contraction of atria & ventricles 3) atria contract against closed tricuspid & mitral valves 4) no atrial contribution to ventricular filling 5) atrial enlargement Clinical manifestations: 1) jugular venous distension 2) hypotension 3) lightheadedness 4) feeling of neck fullness Management: dual chamber pacing eliminates syndrome

General

syndrome heart disease (cardiac disease)

References

Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed) Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 64