Nomenclature

Pacemakers setups are named using an acronym system containing up to 5 letters that describe what they do, and how and where they do it.

This table, adapted from a number of sources, explains the nomenclature clearly.

Here are some examples:

• AAI pacing
  • atrial pacing and sensing that is inhibited by intrinsic electrical activity in the atrial chamber.
• DDDR pacing
  • Dual chamber pacing, in the absence of spontaneous electrical activity, and sensing in the event of intrinsic electrical activity, with physiologic response