User Manual

4 Therapy

Therapy

LIFEPAK 20e Defibrillator/Monitor Operating Instructions 4-25

NONINVASIVE PACING

The LIFEPAK 20e defibrillator/monitor provides noninvasive pacing using QUIK-COMBO

electrodes.

The following paragraphs include:

• Noninvasive Pacing Warnings

• Demand and Nondemand Pacing

• Noninvasive Pacing Procedure

• Troubleshooting Tips for Noninvasive Pacing

For information about noninvasive pediatric pacing, refer to the Physio-Control Therapy

Electrodes Operating Instructions.

Noninvasive Pacing Warnings

Demand and Nondemand Pacing

The noninvasive pacemaker can be used for either demand (synchronous) or nondemand

(asynchronous) pacing modes.

The demand mode is used for most patients. In the demand mode, the LIFEPAK 20e defibrillator/

monitor/pacemaker inhibits pacing when it senses the patient’s own beats (intrinsic QRSs). In

demand mode, if the ECG amplitude is too low to detect the patient’s beats, or if an ECG lead

becomes detached so that the ECG rhythm is not present, the pacemaker generates pacing

pulses asynchronously. This means that the pacemaker generates pacing pulses at the selected

rate, regardless of the patient’s ECG rhythm.

Asynchronous or nondemand mode can be selected if noise or artifact interferes with proper

sensing of QRS complexes. Press the

OPTIONS button to access the nondemand mode. (Refer

to page 2-7.)

WARNINGS!

Possible inducement of ventricular fibrillation.

Sinus bradycardia may be physiologic in severe hypothermia (i.e., appropriate to maintain

sufficient oxygen delivery when hypothermia is present), and cardiac pacing is usually not

indicated.

Possible interruption of therapy.

Observe the patient continuously while the pacemaker is in use. Patient response to pacing

therapy, e.g., capture threshold, may change over time.

Possible inability to pace.

Using other manufacturers’ combination therapy electrodes with this device could cause a

decrease in pacing efficacy or the inability to pace because of unacceptably high impedance

levels.

Possible patient skin burns.

Prolonged noninvasive pacing may cause patient skin irritation and burns, especially with higher

pacing current levels. Discontinue noninvasive pacing if skin becomes burned and another

method of pacing is available.