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 paper, the process of reprogramming a pacemaker is formalised as a special form of abductive diagnostic reasoning, where observable findings are interpreted with respect to results obtained from diagnostic tests. The dynamics of this process is cast as a diagnostic strategy, where information is gathered in a structured fashion. This abductive theory of pacemaker reprogramming 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 sensing and pacing. The performance of the system has been evaluated using data from actual patients.