Open AccessEnergy‐conserving programming of vvi pacemakers: A telemetry‐supported, long‐term, follow‐up study
Author(s) -
Klein H. H.,
Knake W.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960130608
Subject(s) - medicine , pulse generator , telemetry , battery (electricity) , pulse (music) , pulse amplitude modulation , amplitude , volt , generator (circuit theory) , pulse width modulation , voltage , cardiology , anesthesia , electrical engineering , telecommunications , physics , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , computer science , engineering
Thirty patients with VVI pacemakers (Quantum 253‐09, 253‐19, Intermedics Inc., Freeport, TX) were observed for a mean of 65 months. Within 12 months after implantation, optimized output programming was performed in 29 patients. This included a decrease in pulse amplitude (22 patients), pulse width (4 patients), and/or pacing rate (11 patients). After 65 months postimplantation, telemetered battery voltage and battery impedance were compared with the predicted values expected when the pulse generator constantly stimulates at nominal program conditions (heart rate 72.3 beats/min, pulse amplitude 5.4 V, pulse width 0.61 ms). Instead of an expected cell voltage of 2.6 V and a cell impedance of 10 kΩ mean telemetered values amounted to 2.78 V and 1.4 kΩ, respectively. These data correspond to a battery age of 12‐15 months at nominal program conditions. This longterm follow‐up study suggests that adequate programming will extend battery longevity and thus pulse generator survival in many patients.