An intelligent system for pacemaker reprogramming

The process of reprogramming a cardiac pacemaker can be described in terms similar to those used for describing diagnostic problem solving. In this pa per, the process of reprogramming a pacemaker is formalised as a special fo rm of abductive diagnostic reasoning, where observable findings are interpr eted with respect to results obtained from diagnostic tests. The dynamics o f this process is cast as a diagnostic strategy, where information is gathe red in a structured fashion. This abductive theory of pacemaker reprogrammi ng has been used as the basis for an actual system that in its present form is capable of assisting cardiologists in dealing with problems in atrial s ensing and pacing. The performance of the system has been evaluated using d ata from actual patients. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.