What should be performed on a pacemaker before a procedure to prevent inappropriate pacing?

Before a procedure involving a patient with a pacemaker, turning off rate responsiveness is an essential step to prevent inappropriate pacing. Rate responsiveness is a feature of some pacemakers that allows them to increase pacing rates in response to physical activity or other physiological demands. However, during certain procedures, such as surgery or diagnostic tests, these automated adjustments can lead to inappropriate pacing due to environmental changes, such as stimulation from electrical devices or changes in the patient’s physical state.

By turning off rate responsiveness, the pacemaker will maintain a stable pacing rate that is not influenced by external factors, thus minimizing the risk of inappropriate pacing during the procedure. This ensures the patient’s safety and the effectiveness of the procedure.

In contrast, increasing sensitivity, changing to synchronous pacing, or adjusting the upper rate limit may not directly address the specific issue of inappropriate pace changes caused by external stimuli during a procedure.