What is usually the problem when a pacemaker is undersensing?

What is usually the problem when a pacemaker is undersensing?

• A. Battery failure
• B. Lead fracture
• C. The sensitivity setting is too high
• D. Incorrect pacing mode

Answer: (C)

Undersensing happens when the pacemaker doesn’t detect the heart’s intrinsic electrical activity. The most common reason is that the sensitivity setting is too high, so the device isn’t sensitive enough to pick up weaker intrinsic signals. When the heart’s own beats are not detected, the pacemaker may deliver pacing even though the heart is trying to beat on its own. To fix this, lower the sensing threshold (increase sensitivity) so the device can detect smaller signals. Other problems like battery failure or lead fracture can cause pacing issues, but they aren’t the usual cause of undersensing due to the programmed sensitivity.

Undersensing happens when the pacemaker doesn’t detect the heart’s intrinsic electrical activity. The most common reason is that the sensitivity setting is too high, so the device isn’t sensitive enough to pick up weaker intrinsic signals. When the heart’s own beats are not detected, the pacemaker may deliver pacing even though the heart is trying to beat on its own. To fix this, lower the sensing threshold (increase sensitivity) so the device can detect smaller signals. Other problems like battery failure or lead fracture can cause pacing issues, but they aren’t the usual cause of undersensing due to the programmed sensitivity.