Ambulatory blood pressure and assessment of pacemaker function

Ten patients in sinus rhythm with ventricular demand (VVI) pacemakers implanted for the sick sinus syndrome underwent 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure and electrocardiographic recording by a modified version of the Oxford system. Five patients had symptoms of dizziness or presyncope at the time of study and five were symptom free. The onset of pacing was associated with a fall in arterial blood pressure in both groups which was larger in the patients with symptoms, and in these patients the blood pressure recovery consequent on baroreflex activation was delayed by up to fifteen beats. In three of the patients with symptoms the original pacemaker was replaced by an atrioventricular pacing (DVI) device. This abolished symptoms and the initial fall and delayed recovery of blood pressure. Thus it appears that the development of symptoms of hypotension after the onset of ventricular pacing is determined by the rate of the baroreflex response. These symptoms and the haemodynamic consequences may be alleviated by dual chamber pacing.