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Europace 2000 2(3):245-250; doi:10.1053/eupc.2000.0107
© 2000 by European Society of Cardiology
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Clinical experience of a new rate drop response algorithm in the treatment of vasovagal and carotid sinus syncope

J. B. Johansen1, R. S. Bexton2, E. H. Simonsen1, T. Markowitz3 and M. K. Erickson3

1Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital Odense, Denmark; 2Department of Cardiology, Regional Cardiothoracic Centre, Freeman Hospital Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.; 3Cardiac Rhythm Management, Medtronic, Inc. Minneapolis, U.S.A.

Dual chamber pacing has proven beneficial in patients with sudden drops in heart rate as seen in vasovagal syncope and carotid sinus syndrome. Newer algorithms for faster detection of an insidious drop in heart rate and short lasting intervention pacing at a high rate, as in the rate drop response algorithm in the Medtronic Kappa series of pacemakers, might improve the effect of pacing. Two case reports, that demonstrate the use of these rate drop response algorithms, are presented. A 24-year-old woman with recurrent episodes of syncope and repeated tilt-table tests with vasovagal cardioinhibitory outcomes had a Medtronic Kappa 400 pacemaker implanted. Syncope was abolished during repeat tilt-table testing following pacemaker implantation and proper functioning of the rate drop response algorithm. The patient has been free of syncope during follow-up apart from a single episode that occurred due to neglect of vasovagal warning symptoms. A 52-year-old man with coronary artery disease developed recurrent blackouts. Carotid sinus massage resulted in 5·5 s of asystole and presyncope. A Medtronic Kappa 700 pacemaker with a rate drop response algorithm was implanted and the patient became asymptomatic. The rate drop response algorithm is discussed in detail based upon the case reports, and recommendations are given for the use of this algorithm in patients with vasovagal syncope and carotid sinus syndrome.

Key Words: Neurocardiogenic syncope, vasovagal syncope, carotid sinus syncope, dual chamber pacing, pacemaker programming, rate drop response algorithm

Correspondence: Dr Jens Brock Johansen, Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark. Email: brock{at}med.ou.dk


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