Failure (Loss) to Capture - Pacemaker Rhythm.

Description

• When a pacemaker loses its ability to cause depolarization (capture), the inherent rhythm of the patient will become present within the tracing.
• As mentioned earlier in this presentation you will note the presence of a pacing spike, but you will not see a waveform immediately following it.
• You will likely see a delay after the spike, then the presence of some waveform of different morphology

Practice Strip

Analyze this tracing using the five steps of rhythm analysis.

Show Answer

• Rhythm: Irregular
• Rate: 80
• P Wave: absent
• PR interval: n/a
• QRS: 0.14 sec, two non-captured complexes 0.16 sec, all wide and bizarre
• Interpretation: Ventricular Pacemaker Rhythm with Loss of Capture