Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2004 Jun;37(6):499-503.

Thirteen-year Experience of Permanent Epicardial Pacing in Children

• Lee JR
• Han KN
• Lim HG
• Kim WH
• Kim YJ
• Rho JR
• Bae EJ
• Noh CI
• Yoon YS
• Ahn C

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We investigated the longevity, thresholds of epicardial pacemaker and causes of reoperation in the pediatric patients who underwent epicardial pacemaker implantation performed during the last 13 years MATERIAL AND METHOD: 121 operations were performed in 83 patients from January 1989 to July 2002. We analyzed the stimulation threshold, resistance, R-wave and P-wave, and sensitivity of pacemaker lead at initial implantation. Longevity and causes of reoperations were investigated. RESULT: At implantation, epicardial ventricular mean stimulation threshold was 1.2+/-0.1 (0.1~5) mV, mean resistance was 519.1+/-18.1 (319~778) Ohm, and mean R-wave sensitivity was 8.9+/-0.7 (4~20) mV, and mean P wave sensivity was 2.5+/-0.7 (0.4~12) mV. The mean longevity of pacemaker generator was 64.7+/-3.7 (2~196) months. The reoperation free rate was 94.6% for 1 year, 93.6% for 2 years, 80.8% for 5years, 63.7% for 7 years, and 45.5% for 10 years. The causes of reoperation were battery waste in 26 cases and lead malfunction in 9 cases. There was no postoperative death related to pacemaker malfunction.
CONCLUSION
In the childrens, average longevity of epicardial pacemaker was within acceptable range. 19.1% of the patients required pacemaker related reoperation. However, recent developments, including steroid eluting lead, 6.7% of the patients required pacemaker related reoperation, look promising in expansion of pacemaker life span.

Keyword

Pacemaker, artificial; Congenital heart defect

MeSH Terms

Child*
Heart Defects, Congenital
Humans
Longevity
Pacemaker, Artificial
Reoperation