The role of rate hysteresis pacing in the hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome.

The ability of rate hysteresis programming with the escape interval longer than the automatic interval to reduce the hypotensive response to carotid sinus massage at the onset of ventricular pacing was studied in six patients paced for carotid sinus syndrome. Rate hysteresis significantly reduced this hypotensive response and abolished spontaneous symptoms in two patients and symptoms reproduced by carotid sinus massage in four patients.