Abstract
We implanted a new rate-responsive pacemaker, KELVIN 500, in five patients with complete A-V block. KELVIN 500 senses changes in blood temperature in the right ventricle. Treadmill test was perforned in all patients one month after pacemaker implantation. We measured changes in right ventricular blood temperature during the treadmill test. There was excellent correspodence in pacing rate and changes in blood temperature. All patients showed a temperature dip immediately after the start of test and their pacing rate increased quickly. One patient had a hot bath test (42°C) in order to know the influence of external temperature. The blood temperature increased by 1.43°C for eight minutes and the pacing rate elevated from the lower rate to the upper.The clinical results of KELVIN 500 and its rate-responsive function proved to be very satisfactory.
