Critical Bytes - Keeping Pace with Pacing

In the high-stakes environment of critical care, staying current with advanced cardiac intervention techniques is essential. One such technique, epicardial pacing, is a critical skill for nurses managing patients post-cardiac surgery. The use of temporary cardiac pacing may be required for patients with bradycardia, atrial or ventricular arrhythmias and to safety net patients at high risk of arrhythmias following cardiac surgery.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the different modes of epicardial pacing

• Understand how to check and set sensitivity and pacing threshold

• Demonstrate how to troubleshoot loss of capture, failure to sense and failure to pace through a simulated case study

Session Highlights

This critical bytes session will focus on the nursing care of a patient with epicardial pacing including:

• Care of pacing wires

• Pacemaker settings

• Removal of pacing wires

• Troubleshooting common issues