If a pacemaker generates a spike while a patient has an intrinsic heart beat, what is this phenomenon known as?

When a pacemaker generates a spike during the presence of an intrinsic heart beat, this phenomenon is referred to as "failure to sense." This occurs when the pacemaker fails to recognize the patient's own heart signals and continues to deliver pacing stimuli, thereby potentially causing unwanted spikes that can interfere with the normal functioning of the heart.

In a well-functioning pacemaker system, the device should be able to detect the intrinsic electrical activity of the heart and withhold pacing when the heart is beating adequately on its own. A lack of this sensing capability can lead to inappropriate pacing, which may disrupt the natural rhythm of the heart and cause complications.

Understanding this concept is vital for monitoring technicians, as it highlights the importance of ensuring that pacemakers can correctly sense natural cardiac activity to optimize patient outcomes.