Displacement of endocardial pacemaker electrodes. A comparison between Elema 588 B and Chardack 5818

The implantation of a permanent pacemaker has been carried out on 159 patients suffering from Adams-Stokes seizures. Elema 588 B electrodes were implanted in 119 patients and Chardack 5818 electrodes in 40 patients. The two types of electrodes differ with regard to both the implantation technique and weight and thickness. No difference was found in the incidence of electrode displacement or survival between the two groups, similarly the experience of the physician with regard to implantation had no influence on the frequency of displacement. Displacement on the other hand occurred significantly more frequently in those patients suffering from heart disease demonstrable by x-ray examination.