title: Computerized pacemaker patient analysis.
abstract: We have developed computer hardware and software that imports analog waveforms and other measured data from a patient into the PaceBase database system supported by any IBM PC/AT compatible. The programmable A/D converter has the capacity to acquire the pacemaker artifact from the surface ECG leads. Analysis of the pacemaker artifact permits confirmation of pulse width as well as programmability and facilitates discovery of pacemaker hardware failures otherwise undetectable. Continuous recording of real-time surface ECG can be made as other measurements or storing functions are being performed. In this way, sporadic or infrequent intrinsic events are automatically recorded and can be selected to be played back and reviewed or stored on the permanent record. Pacemaker spike detection enhances identification of paced and intrinsic complexes by emphasizing the paced artifact. Even bipolar atrial spikes with pulse widths as short as 0.05 ms are easily identified; myopotential muscle noise is rejected. Enhancement of pacemaker spikes takes the guesswork out of interpretation of ECGs, especially for bipolar systems and when testing or troubleshooting for myopotential tracking or inhibition.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Hallberg
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Byrd
mesh_terms: D000703:Analog-Digital Conversion; D003199:Computer Systems; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors