[Fundamental problems on the care of patients with permanent artificial pacemaker therapy]

In the GDR the number of patients with pacemakers increases with about 900 new implantations each year. The further decentralisation of the care of patients with pacemakers proposed by the team pacemaker therapy demands the inclusion of more physicians into the care of these patients. The pacemaker systems used at present in the GDR are described as well as the practical approach in the control of the function of the pacemakers is discussed. In the figures typical electrocardiographic pictures of various models of pacemakers are demonstrated.