What can be a result of undersensing in pacing systems?

Undersensing in pacing systems occurs when the pacemaker fails to detect the intrinsic heart's electrical activity adequately. This can lead to situations where the device does not recognize heartbeats, compelling it to provide pacing stimuli even when the heart is able to generate a natural beat. As a result, the pacemaker may deliver more pacing impulses than necessary, leading to a phenomenon known as overpacing.

Overpacing can manifest as unnecessary stimulation of the heart, which may compromise the natural rhythm and potentially lead to complications such as patient discomfort, increased battery consumption, or even arrhythmias. This highlights the importance of proper sensing capabilities in pacing devices to ensure that they appropriately respond to the heart's activity without overriding it when it's functioning normally.