Phrenic Nerve Stimulation Check; Annotate Test Results - Abbott Merlin PSA EX3100 Help Manual

5. Decrement the Pulse Amplitude setting.
Watch the Rhythm Display for signs of loss of capture.
6. When loss of capture occurs, increase the Pulse Amplitude to restore capture.
7. Select the Save as Threshold button to save the threshold measurements.
NOTE: The Merlin™ PSA reverts back to the originally programmed settings for the Pulse
Amplitude and Pulse Width parameters when the test results are saved or the Capture Test
window is closed.

Phrenic Nerve Stimulation Check

To ensure that there is no phrenic nerve stimulation due to suboptimal lead placement, perform a
10 V stimulation check, which applies 10 V through the lead.
During the test, all parameter settings except the Pulse Amplitude parameter remain unchanged.
To perform a stimulation check:
1. Press and hold the 10 V press & hold button.
The Pulse Amplitude is increased to 10 V. Observe the patient for extracardiac stimulation.
2. Release the 10 V press & hold button to end the test.
When a phrenic nerve stimulation check is performed and phrenic nerve stimulation is not
observed, select the check-box next to the 10 V press & hold button to add this information to the
PSA report.
Accessed From: Lead Tests > Run Test button

Annotate Test Results

After you have performed a test, the Merlin™ PSA displays the Annotate Test Results button. Use
this button to review tests results, to note the polarity configuration used to conduct the lead tests,
and to add annotations to your printed report.
The Annotate Test Results window has a tab for each channel. Each window consists of three
columns for the three available tests (P/R-wave slew rate, Impedance, and Capture). Each column
can contain up to five test results (and a time/date stamp), with the most recent results at the top
of the window. If six or more tests were recorded, the oldest result is overwritten by the latest. To
view other available channels, select the tabs at the top of the window.
The Merlin PSA provides three choices for annotations:
Bipolar or Unipolar to indicate the polarity used in the test

Custom, which allows you to indicate multisite polarity (you are allowed up to four characters

entered from an on-screen keyboard)
No Annotation.

To annotate your results:
1. Select the box next to the result or results.
A check-mark appears next to each test result.
2. Select either the Unipolar, Bipolar, or Custom button.
If you select Custom, an on-screen keyboard appears. Type in four characters and close the
window. All the checked results will be annotated with the same annotation.
If you select Unipolar, all the checked results are annotated "Uni."
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