overdrive pacing
Pacing technique that delivers stimuli at rates faster than the intrinsic arrhythmia to terminate reentrant tachycardias.
Full Definition
Overdrive pacing is an electrophysiological technique used to terminate reentrant arrhythmias by delivering paced stimuli at rates faster than the tachycardia cycle length. The rapid pacing creates competing wavefronts that can interrupt the reentrant circuit and restore normal rhythm. This method is commonly employed during electrophysiology studies and can be delivered through temporary pacing catheters, permanent pacemakers, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators with antitachycardia pacing capabilities. Success depends on the ability to penetrate the reentrant circuit without inducing faster or more dangerous arrhythmias.
Usage
Usage note: Risk of accelerating arrhythmia; distinguish from burst pacing patterns.
In Context
- "Overdrive pacing at 200 bpm successfully terminated the ventricular tachycardia without requiring cardioversion." — EP study report
- "The ICD delivered antitachycardia pacing with overdrive sequences before charging for shock therapy." — Device interrogation summary