Higueras, JavierOlmos, CarmenPalacios-Rubio, JulianGomez-Polo, Juan CarlosMartinez-Losas, PedroRuiz-Pizarro, VirginiaBover, RamonPerez-Villacastin, Julian2024-09-132024-09-132020-03Higueras J, Olmos C, Palacios-Rubio J, Gomez-Polo JC, Martinez-Losas P, Ruiz-Pizarro V, et al. TBC: A simple algorithm to rule out abnormalities in electrocardiograms of patients with pacemakers. Cardiol J. 2020 Mar;27(2):136-41. Epub 2018 Aug 29.1897-5593http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13003/17250https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/23042Background: The aim of the study was to create a straightforward method to rule out abnormalities in electrocardiograms (ECGs) performed in patients with pacemakers. Methods: The TBC method screens the ECG for any of the following findings: Tachycardia with pacing spikes, Bradycardia without spikes and Chaos with spikes unrelated to QRS-T complexes. T was considered to advise for patient assessment and B and C to require referral for urgent pacemaker evaluation. The diagnostic accuracy of the algorithm was validated using a cohort of 151 ECGs with normal and dysfunctional pacemakers. The effect of the algorithm was then evaluated for diagnostic skills and management of patients with pacemakers by non-cardiologists, comparing their diagnostic accuracy before and after teaching the algorithm. Results: The TBC algorithm had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 94% in diagnosing a malfunctioning pacemaker. The diagnostic skills and patient referral were significantly improved (74.8% vs. 89.5%, p < 0.001; and 57.4% vs. 83%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: TBC is an easy to remember and apply method to rule out severe abnormalities in ECGs of patients with pacemakers. TBC algorithm has a very good diagnostic capability and is easily applied by non-expert physicians with good results.enghttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/PacemakerElectrocardiographyresearch articleAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International30155867272136-14110.5603/CJ.a2018.00791898-018XCardiology Journalopen access2-s2.0-85085106613537109600004L2004398568