Advances in single-chamber pacemaker diagnostic data.

Diagnostic data, which is Holter-type information documenting the pulse generators' interaction with the patient over time, are now available in single chamber pulse generators from at least six manufacturers. Diagnostic data are available in bradycardia, tachycardia, and rate-responsive pulse generators. Six hypothetical examples discuss the clinical utility of advanced diagnostic data. Three examples examine the use of diagnostic data with bradycardia pulse generators. These use rate histograms or high-rate counters to solve programming and patient problems. Two examples involve antitachycardia pulse generators and the uses/or diagnostic data in both chronic and acute cases. One example deals with the use of maximum and minimum temperature diagnostics in proper programming of a temperature rate-responsive device.