[Functional disorders of cardiac pacemakers--their diagnosis and treatment]

Implantation of artificial pacemaker has proven invaluable in the treatment of patients with heart block and other arrhythmias. It has been found that, however seldom, this device may function inadequately after implantation. This malfunction is secondary to alteration in the previously assigned rate, to irregular pacing and failure of sensing, impaired capture or depolarization and/or various combinations of these events. The welfare of patients with pacemaker depends on the adequate investigation and interpretation of the malfunction and its proper management. The numerous signs of pacemaker malfunction are associated with changes in the output of impulses and inadequate pacing. It is believed that in the future the developing technology will provide more refined pacemaker device, and the incidence of pacemaker malfunction with fall to a reasonable limit.