Atrial sensing and pacing with a single pass ventricular lead

The use of single lead for atrial synchronous ventricular (VDD) pacing in patients with high grade atrioventricular (AV) block and normal sinus node function is an acceptable alternative to dual chamber (DDD) pacing. Implantation and follow up procedures are simplified, and cost is usually reduced by more than the cost of an additional atrial lead. With the use of either diagonally arranged dipole or closely spaced ring electrodes, reliable atrial sensing can be achieved using differential atrial amplifier and high atrial sensitivity. Also oversensing is infrequently observed using provocation tests and dynamic recordings, clinical undersensing is unusual and minimized by programming to the highest atrial sensitivity. However, as atrial pacing is not possible, loss of AV synchrony and rate response may occur for unrecognized or progressive sinus node disease and lower rate limit. The development of single lead dual chamber pacing system may overcome this limitation. Recent studies have demonstrated that atrial pacing can be effective either with the use of a special pacing lead configuration or via floating atrial electrode with a novel stimulation method. Overlapping biphasic impulse (OLBI) can reduce atrial pacing threshold. Early clinical experience suggested that this new pacing method can provide effective and reliable atrial pacing with a relatively low incidence of diaphragmatic pacing. Thus the problem of atrial sensing is solved with a single pass lead but further long term evaluation is required to assess the efficacy and feasibility of new instrumentation for single lead dual chamber pacing.