[Complications due to endocardial and epimyocardial electrodes in 171 patients with artificial pacemakers]

On the basis of experience with 171 patients the advantages and disadvantages of a sutureless, corkscrew-like myocardial electrode are compared with those of endocardial electrodes. Electrode complications were significantly less frequent in patients with sutureless myocardial electrodes and never lead to death. However, a benign postpericardiotomy syndrome was frequent (16% of cases). Electrode dislocation was the main complication in patients with endocardial electrodes.