burst pacing
A rapid pacing technique used to terminate tachyarrhythmias by delivering short trains of electrical stimuli faster than the arrhythmia rate.
Full Definition
Burst pacing, also known as overdrive pacing, is an electrophysiologic technique used to terminate reentrant tachyarrhythmias by delivering rapid sequences of electrical stimuli at rates faster than the intrinsic arrhythmia. The technique works by penetrating the reentrant circuit during its excitable gap and rendering it refractory, thereby breaking the circuit and terminating the arrhythmia. Burst pacing is commonly programmed into implantable devices like ICDs and pacemakers as an initial therapy for ventricular tachycardia before progressing to cardioversion or defibrillation. The success rate depends on the specific arrhythmia characteristics and the pacing parameters used, including cycle length, number of stimuli, and coupling intervals.
Usage
Usage note: Write as two words 'burst pacing'; distinguish from burst suppression in neurology contexts.
In Context
- "Burst pacing successfully terminated the ventricular tachycardia without requiring shock therapy." — Device interrogation report
- "The ICD was programmed with aggressive burst pacing parameters to minimize shock delivery." — Device programming note