title: Early pacemaker battery depletion caused by a current leak in the output circuitry: rectification not exchange.
abstract: Malfunction of a dual chamber system pacemaker due to a current leak in the output circuitry leading to a rapid decline in battery longevity is described. Serial pulse amplitude alterations in defined device configurations enabled location of the defect in the 2.5-V output voltage level; the current leak disappeared in the 5-V output voltage level, and recurred in the 7.5-V output voltage level which combines both 2.5-V and 5-V output circuitries. Reprogramming of pulse amplitudes rectified device malfunction. Circuitry reprogramming of pacemakers with faulty unexplained high battery current can circumvent early replacement in management of device malfunction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Kantonsspital Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kobza
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erne
mesh_terms: D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial