Myopotential Inhibition of Unipolar Pacemakers: A Disease of Technologic Progress

Excerpt

Cardiac pacing is being used with increasing frequency as diagnostic techniques identify problems amenable to pacing and as technologic advances reduce the size of the pulse generators and increase their projected life and versatility. These same technologic advances may introduce new problems that, unless anticipated, may lead to a costly, uncomfortable, and unnecessary medical evaluation. One of these problems is myopotential inhibition of the unipolar pacemaker.

The major indication for cardiac pacing remains the management of patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. If episodic lightheadedness and even syncope continue to occur after implantation of the pacemaker, it can be extremely disconcerting to