Implant and long-term evaluation of atrial signal amplification in a single-lead ICD.

Background: In patients without clinical indications for pacing the use of a single-lead implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implementing atrial sensing capability with proper signal amplification management may represent a useful therapeutic option, combining the positive features of both single and dual-chamber devices. The aim of the study was to evaluate the atrial signal amplification and its long-term stability in a single-lead ICD system adding atrial sensing to a standard single-chamber ICD.

Methods: P-wave amplitudes were collected and compared at implant both with a conventional external device ("unfiltered" P wave) and telemetrically with the implanted ICD ("filtered" P wave).