

Oversensing occurs when the pacemaker detects electrical activity that it incorrectly interprets as atrial (P-wave) or ventricular activity (R-wave). Most pacemakers perform such calibrations several times daily, and they include a backup algorithm that delivers a stimulus when failure to capture is confirmed. The pacemaker is then set to the minimum energy needed to activate myocardium (a safety margin is often used). This is done by repeatedly stimulating with gradually decreasing amounts of energy until the stimulus no longer yields an activation. Modern pacemakers have built-in functions to calibrate the stimulus amplitude and width according to myocardial excitability. The most common cause of failure to capture is insufficient stimulus energy.

A stimulus delivered during the refractory period should not result in activation because the myocardium is refractory.
#Ventricular paced failure to capture generator#
Most cases of malfunction are associated with the electronics in the pulse generator or dislodgement or fracture of the leads. These failures typically result in missing stimulation artifacts, misplaced stimulation artifacts, irregular pacing, etc. This is only relevant in rate responsive pacemakers. Failure to rate adjust, which means that the pacemaker fails to adjust its rate according to haemodynamic needs.Failure to sense (undersensing), which means that it fails to sense true P-waves or R-waves.Sensing of such signals normally inhibits the pacemaker. Oversensing, which means that the pacemaker senses signals that are not true P-waves or R-waves.Failure to pace (FTP), which means that the pacemaker does not stimulate as expected.Failure to capture (FTC), which means that the pacemaker stimulations do not result in myocardial activation.Pacemaker malfunction, troubleshooting and ECGĬonventional surface ECG can reveal the following types of pacemaker dysfunction:
