How to face ‘the faces’ of CARDIAC PACING, 1992 Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine Series, Vol. 129

How to face 'the faces' of cardiac pacing represents an editor's compiled selection of lectures on cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. Electrical stimulation of the heart is an ever-changing and, at times, explosive field. The number of implanting centres is growing tremendously and pacing is not exclusively confined to arrhythmologists. Therefore, the editors attempted to organize a course being both practical in daily clinical management and instructive in understanding technical concepts. The glossary of terms have to be clearly understood before one is able to interpret the complex electrocardiograms of DDD and especially DDDR pacemakers. Those electrocardiograms have to be approached in a system­ atic way, using a step-by-step analysis. The main clinical symptom requiring pacemaker implantation is syncope. It cannot be over-emphasized that syncope is a clinical diagnosis merely based on history and physical examination. The organization of a pacemaker follow-up clinic depends on local facilities and needs. The effectiveness of pacing controls markedly increases when using a systematic approach. Repeated optimal adjustment of pro­ grammable functions is part of the control. Antiarrhythmic drugs are loosing popularity in the treatment of tachy­ arrhythmias. Nonpharmacologic treatment (antitachypacing, implantable defi­ brillators and antiarrhythmic surgery) at the present time have definite indications, probably expanding in the future. When complexity in electronic devices increases, repercussions on ex­ penses, either by the government or social and private insurances, needs consideration.

Preface. List of Contributors. 1. A Synoptic View on Syncope; E. Andries, H. Willems, S. Gürsoy, P. Nellens, M. Goethals, P. Brugada. 2. Pseudo-bradyarrhythmias; P. Brugada, S. Gürsoy, J. Atié, M. Goethals, G. Steurer, H. Willems, J. Brugada, E. Andries. 3. Cardiac Pacing for Bradyarrhythmias; L. de Roy. 4. From VVI to DDD Pacemakers: Glossary of Terms and Normal Functions; A.F. Sinnaeve. 5. A Practical Guide to the Interpretation of DDD Pacing Electrocardiograms; R. Stroobandt. 6. Rate-Adaptive Cardiac Pacing; A.J. Camm, C.J. Garratt. 7. Dual Chamber Rate Responsive (DDDR) Pacing: Ventricular Versus Atrial Timing; R. Stroobandt, R. Willems, A.F. Sinnaeve. 8. Facing the `Faces' of Pacing after Implantation; M. Goethals, W. Timmermans, R. Willems, E. Andries, R. Stroobandt. 9. Antitachycardia Pacing; L. Jordaens, P. Vertongen, E. van Wassenhove, D.L. Clement. 10. Electrical Treatment of Tachycardias; J.F. Leclercq, I. Denjoy, A. Leenhardt, P. Coumel. 11. Review of Implantable Defibrillator Therapy; M.M. Mower, S. Nisam. 12. The Implantable Defibrillator; A. Waleffe. 13. Combined Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator and Permanent Pacemaker Systems; R. Stroobandt, R. Willems, A.F. Sinaeve. 14. Surgical Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias. The Physician's Point of View; P. Brugada, F. Wellens, P. Nellens, S. Gürsoy, J. Atié, G. Steurer, E. Andries, H. van Ermen. 15. Cost-Benefit Analysis of Arrhythmia Technology; H. Heidbüchel, H. Ector.16. Arrhythmia Technology. The Insurer's Point of View; R. van den Oever. Index.