The "automatic mode switch" function in successive generations of minute ventilation sensing dual chamber rate responsive pacemakers.

Automatic mode switch (AMS) from DDDR to VVIR pacing is a new algorithm, in response to paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias. With the 5603 Programmer, the AMS in the Meta DDDR 1250 and 1250H (Telectronics Pacings Systems, Inc.) operates when VA is shorter than the adaptable PVARP. With the 9600 Programmer, an atrial protection interval can be defined after the PVARP. The latest generation, Meta DDDR 1254, initiates AMS when 5 or 11 heart cycles are > 150, 175, or 200 beats/min. From 1990 to 1993, 61 patients, mean age 61 years, received a Meta DDDR: in 24 a 1250, in 12 a 1250H and in the remaining 25 a 1254 model. Indication for pacing was heart block in 39, sick sinus syndrome in 15, the combination in 6, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in 1. Paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias were present in 43. All patients had routine pacemaker surveillance, including 52 Holter recordings. In 32 patients, periods of atrial tachyarrhythmias were observed, with proper AMS to VVIR, except during short periods of 2:1 block for atrial flutter in 4. In two others, undersensing of the atrial arrhythmia disturbed correct AMS. With the 1250 and 1250H model, AMS was observed on several occasions during sinus rate accelerations in ten patients. This was never seen with the 1254 devices. Final programmation was VVIR in 2 (chronic atrial fibrillation), AAI in 1 (fracture of the ventricular lead), VDDR in 1 (atrial pacing during atrial fibrillation), DDD in 5, and DDDR in 53, 48 of whom had AMS programmed on.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)