METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AMPLITUDE LOSS IN CARDIAC PACING PULSES

摘要

An apparatus for detecting loss of cardiac pacing pulse amplitude includes a comparator for comparing the actual pulse voltage to a reference voltage. In one advantageous embodiment, the reference voltage is determined as a percentage of the programmed pulse amplitude. The comparison of the reference voltage and the actual voltage is latched at the time when a pulse is actually created to produce a signal indicative of whether the amplitude of the actual pulse exceeds the reference. When the amplitude falls below the reference, the system may take corrective action.