In vitro Comparability of Pacemaker Sensing Parameters: The Need for Test SignalStandardization

摘要

In vitro measurement of a pacemaker sensing parameters calls for the simulationof the patient's natural cardiac activity. To this aim, a large number of waveforms is currently used by manufacturers thus leading to non comparable results. The authors have tested a large and representative group of pacemakers, measuring sensitivity, paced refractory period, escape interval, sensed refractory period and input impedance, using the most common test signals. Measured values are strongly influenced both by test signal morphology and polarity, which claims for the adoption of only unequivocal test signal.