Triboelectricity (static or friction-related) electricity can induce a puzzling change in heart rhythm in a patient with a pacemaker, including tachycardia.
Clinical features:
(1) presence of a unipolar pacemaker
(2) delivery of a small static electricity discharge to the skin overlying the pacemaker
(3) detection of the discharge by the atrial channel, triggering a ventricular stimulus resulting in an endless loop tachycardia
(4) exclusion of pacemaker malfunction or other explanations
A larger electrical discharge can result in pacemaker inhibition.
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