[Experiences with telemetry-supported pacemaker controls in patients with VVI pacemakers].

Investigations on telemetry-supported pacemaker control were carried out in 55 patients with the VVI-pacemaker Quantum (Intermedics). The investigations were done at least once during the 6-24 month period after implantation. The telemetry function was utilised for pacemaker programming, for clarifying pacemaker defects and for characterising the type of pacemaker electrode used. It could be shown that the Osypka spiral electrode VY (Dr. Osypka) had a lower impedance, and greater pulse width and charge threshold in comparison with the two other electrodes used (Encor, Cordis; Polyflex, Intermedics). In 38 of the 55 patients (69%) a pulse amplitude of 2.7 V could be chosen, whereas an amplitude of 5.4 V was programmed in the rest. Pacemaker sensing threshold was set to values between 2.4 and 3.0 mV. Pacemaker problems appeared in three patients; in one patient due to programming too economically and in the other two due to pacemaker defects.