Mintek LV Manuale Utente

Pagina di 172
Stratos LV/LV-T Technical Manual  99 
 
2.16 Rate 
Fading 
Rate Fading is intended to prevent a sudden drop in heart rate 
when the Stratos CRT-Ps transition from tracking an intrinsic 
rhythm to pacing due to an abrupt decrease in the intrinsic rate 
or due to Mode Switching.  This smooth drop in pacing rate is 
designed to prevent symptoms such as dizziness, light 
headedness, lack of energy and fainting spells.  With Rate 
Fading enabled, the Stratos CRT-Ps calculate a “Backup Rate” 
that is always active in the background.  As soon as the rate 
decreases, the CRT-P begins pacing at the Backup Rate.  The 
Backup Rate corresponds to a delay of the intrinsic rate 
corresponding to a programmable rate increase and 
programmable rate decrease; these parameters determine the 
sensitivity of the controlled rate smoothing.  After four 
consecutive intrinsic events (A
s
 – A
s
), the CRT-P calculates the 
Target Rate for the “Backup Rate”, which is a four beat average 
of the intrinsic rate reduced by 10 ppm.  The Target Rate cannot 
exceed the Maximum Fading Rate (programmed as Max Activity 
Rate) and cannot increase faster than the RF Rate Increase 
(programmable in ppm/cycle).   
When the intrinsic rate drops considerably (below the Target 
Rate), the pacing rate drops to the Backup Rate and is then 
decreased gradually by the programmable Decay Rate to the 
Sensor Indicated Rate or Basic Rate.  The Backup and Target 
Rates are defined in 
Table 23
If an atrial tachycardia occurs suddenly, triggering a mode 
switch, the target rate is set to the sensor rate or basic rate.  The 
current pacing rate in the ventricle results from the current value 
of the Target rate before the mode switching event. 
If the pacing rate reaches the intrinsic rate during rate decay, at 
least four consecutive intrinsic cycles above the pacing rate  are 
required before the pacing rate is once again adapted to the last 
intrinsic event.  Controlled rate smoothing is thereby continued 
during intermittent sensed events. 
The Rate Fading feature is suspended while in magnet mode 
and disabled at ERI and in backup mode.