blank sensed events occurring during the refractory period referring to the next pacing sensing sequence shown in fig4 a pacing stimulus 62 is delivered to a ventricle associated with the sensing channel v 1 a refractory period 44 is initiated on each channel a 1 a 2 v 1 and v 2 at the time the pacing stimulus 62 is delivered a floating refractory period 46 is then initiated for each sensing channel a 1 a 2 and v 1 a subsequent event sensed in channel v 1 triggers a floating refractory period 46 in channel a 2 the third pacing sensing sequence shown in fig4 shows an intrinsic event 64 sensed by channel v 2 which initiates a refractory period 44 in channels v 1 and v 2 floating refractory periods 46 are initiated in channels a 1 and a 2 which blanks sensing of intrinsic events detected in channels a 1 and a 2 the start and duration of the floating refractory period 46 for a given sensing channel may also be programmed as a function of the heart rate or pacing rate also the floating refractory period may be programmed to restart upon occurrence of a triggering event during floating refractory period see fig5 in use under certain circumstances the timing and duration of the floating refractory period may be automated.