Multicenter investigation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator algorithm to detect oversensing

Heart Rhythm. 2017 Jul;14(7):1008-1015. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2017.03.023. Epub 2017 Mar 18.

Abstract

Background: The SecureSense right ventricular (RV) lead noise discrimination algorithm is designed to detect lead fracture and other types of oversensing in order to decrease inappropriate therapy.

Objective: We studied the real-life accuracy of the SecureSense algorithm in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients followed by remote monitoring across multiple centers.

Methods: Across 3 French centers, we studied 486 patients with a St Jude Medical device who were followed by remote monitoring and who had the SecureSense algorithm activated. We reviewed ≤10 of the most recent remote monitoring-transmitted electrograms of nonsustained oversensing, RV lead noise, and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation that received therapy.

Results: SecureSense inhibited 22 inappropriate therapies (lead dysfunction in 10 cases, P-wave oversensing in 12 cases). A total of 57 patients (12%) sent ≥1 nonsustained oversensing episode (total of 393 episodes) with multiple etiologies: noise on the near-field channel (38%), oversensing of T waves during ventricular pacing (33%), oversensing of the sinus P wave (12%), and oversensing of the paced P wave (6%). Two episodes (0.5%) of nonsustained VT were undersensed by the far-field channel. Of 336 analyzed episodes of ventricular tachyarrhythmia, 15 episodes (4%) in 4 patients were related to oversensing of intrinsic P waves in 11 episodes or oversensing of external noise due to electrical cautery for the remaining 4 episodes.

Conclusion: Of ICD patients equipped with SecureSense, 12% developed episodes of oversensing. The SecureSense algorithm prevented inappropriate ICD therapies with accurate diagnosis of oversensing (caused by lead dysfunction or oversensing of physiological signals). P-wave oversensing in integrated bipolar leads, electrical cautery, and electromagnetic interference are prone to be missed by SecureSense.

Keywords: Algorithm; Devices; Electrogram; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Noise; SecureSense; St Jude Medical; Ventricular fibrillation; Ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Algorithms
  • Defibrillators, Implantable / adverse effects*
  • Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control*
  • Electric Countershock* / adverse effects
  • Electric Countershock* / methods
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory* / adverse effects
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory* / methods
  • Equipment Failure
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Remote Sensing Technology / adverse effects
  • Remote Sensing Technology / methods
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular* / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular* / therapy
  • Ventricular Fibrillation* / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Fibrillation* / therapy