Abstract
56 unipolar VVI pacemakers were tested by 4 ways of inhibition test—hand grip, back strength, sitting up and push up test. Filter characteristics of Siemens-Elema 668 generator was examined by sin2 pulse wave.
Pacemaker inhibition was observed in 34 of 56 (60.7%). Among 4 tests, inhibition occurred most frequent in push up test related to a great pectral muscle and less frequent in the patients with the generators in an abdominal wall as compared with a great pectral muscle area.
Suggestions for avoidance of myopotential inhibition are as follows: (1) Pulse generators which are more sensitive than 1.5mV should not be used unless there is a specific problem. (2) A pulse generator should be placed in a subcutaneous abdominal wall pocket. ()Usage of a bipolar system. (4) Convert to a fixed rate or a ventricular synchronous unit. (5) Usage of a multiprogrammable pacemaker.
