Which criteria must be met for ATP one-shot therapy to be delivered?

Which criteria must be met for ATP one-shot therapy to be delivered?

• A. Both criteria
• B. Stable (less than 12% variability)
• C. VF zone must be programmed on
• D. Neither criterion

Answer: (A)

ATP one-shot therapy is only delivered when two conditions are satisfied: the rhythm is stable (cycle length variability less than about 12%), and the ventricular fibrillation zone is programmed on. The stability criterion means the tachycardia has a regular enough beat pattern that a short burst of paced beats can interrupt the reentrant circuit without risking misidentifying the rhythm or triggering worse arrhythmias. The VF zone being on ensures the device is allowed to apply ATP in the rate range designated for ventricular fibrillation; if that zone isn’t enabled, the therapy won’t be delivered for these episodes. Together, both criteria ensure ATP is used appropriately and effective for terminating VT, rather than being inappropriately applied during irregular rhythms or in zones where it’s not configured to act. If only one criterion is met, ATP may not occur, reinforcing why both are required.

ATP one-shot therapy is only delivered when two conditions are satisfied: the rhythm is stable (cycle length variability less than about 12%), and the ventricular fibrillation zone is programmed on. The stability criterion means the tachycardia has a regular enough beat pattern that a short burst of paced beats can interrupt the reentrant circuit without risking misidentifying the rhythm or triggering worse arrhythmias. The VF zone being on ensures the device is allowed to apply ATP in the rate range designated for ventricular fibrillation; if that zone isn’t enabled, the therapy won’t be delivered for these episodes. Together, both criteria ensure ATP is used appropriately and effective for terminating VT, rather than being inappropriately applied during irregular rhythms or in zones where it’s not configured to act. If only one criterion is met, ATP may not occur, reinforcing why both are required.