Runaway pacemaker

A Rare Case of "Runaway" Pacemaker in a Modern CPU-Controlled Pacemaker

"Runaway" pacemaker is a rare entity that occurs when a malfunctioning artificial cardiac pacemaker abruptly accelerates its pacing rate above the set upper rate limit. This can result in life-threatening dysrhythmia. Runaway pacemaker used to occur more frequently in older model pacemakers, but now with newer pacemaker generators, runaway pacemaker is a rare entity. We report the case of a runaway pacemaker in a modern CPU-controlled pacemaker in a 79-year-old man presenting with lightheadedness and review the literature regarding this rare entity.

Runaway pacemaker: a case report and review

We describe a case of runaway pacemaker. The differential diagnosis is discussed and a review of the literature is included for the diagnosis and treatment of pacemaker mediated tachycardia and runaway pacemaker.

Devices external pulse generator: a reliable temporary pacemaker?

Two cases of malfunctioning APC (American Pacemaker Company) Devices pacemakers are reported. Two patients with sick sinus syndrome were temporarily paced using APC Devices pacemaker models EC 4542 and EV 4543 respectively, which showed transient increase (53% and 83% of the preset rate, respectively) in pacing rate. The sudden increase of the pacing rate might be the pacemaker's design to switch to fixed-rate pacing at nominally 25% higher than the selected rate in the presence of an excessive level of electrical interference. However, the increased rate was much faster than the interference rate. Great caution should be paid when APC Devices pacemaker is to be used.