A System for Pacemaker Treatment Advice

Previously it has been shown that the process of programming a cardiac pacemaker can be described in terms of the theory of diagnosis. A set-theoretical framework of diagnosis has been taken as the basis for the construction of a system for pacemaker programming that in its present form is capable of assisting cardiologists. The system has been made available commercially in 2003 by Vitatron for its C series pacemakers. In this paper, we discuss the practical requirement imposed by the clinical environment in which pacemaker programming takes place. The theory of diagnosis that has been used is briefly reviewed, after which we describe the capabilities and limitations of the implemented system. The paper is rounded off by some ideas for future development. As far as we know, this is the first system of its kind in the area of pacemakers commercially available.