Pacemaker diagnostics: a critical appraisal of current technology.

Diagnostic information retrieved from a pacemaker offers the ability to improve patient care. Pacemaker diagnostic data provides information regarding pacemaker function and activity, lead function, arrhythmia occurrence, and data to aid in optimal pacemaker programming. Current pacemakers incorporate greater storage capabilities, more efficient means of storing and presenting data between follow-up visits, and more options for programming diagnostic functions and algorithms.