Pacemaker diagnostic diagrams.
Dual-chamber pacemakers interact with cardiac rhythms in complex ways. The resultant surface electrocardiograms (ECGs) are often very difficult to interpret. A simple and automatic diagnostic diagram is described that graphically illustrates pacemaker-heart interactions. Pacemaker operation is explained by a continuous series of lines and symbols that interconnect any sequence of paced and sensed events in both chambers. Fixed, programmable, and adaptive pacemaker timing intervals are all shown in a simple format. The pacemaker diagnostic diagram is plotted directly below the ECG to help users interpret the paced cardiac rhythm. The pacemaker diagnostic diagram is generated by software in a pacemaker programmer from: (1) telemetered real-time event markers; (2) fixed and programmable timing parameters (lower rate, AV interval, etc.); (3) pacemaker conditional logic. If this computer analysis of the telemetered event markers is not consistent with normal pacemaker operation, a specific error-message is printed. The pacemaker diagnostic diagram should be useful for instruction, pacemaker follow-up, and troubleshooting.
W H
WH
Olson
M V
MV
McConnell
R L
RL
Sah
R C
RC
Beck
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R
Sutton
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D003201:Computers; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D012984:Software