[Follow-up patients with sick sinus syndrome after pacemaker implantation]

To study a clinical course and dynamics of arrhythmogenesis in patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) in varying regimes of permanent pacing.

Of 223 SSS patients, the SSS course and outcomes under pacing were studied in 148 bradyarrhythmia and 75 bradytachyarrhythmia patients. ECG variants and pacing regimes were regarded.

Within 4-13-year follow-up, constant form of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia was diagnosed in atrial stimulation in 3.4% of cases, in ventricular stimulation in 32%. Thromboembolic complications and atrioventricular blocks of the II-III degree in atrial stimulation were registered, respectively, in 5.6 and 4.2% cases. Thromboembolism in ventricular stimulation occurred in 11.1%. Reoperation (conversion from atrial to ventricular stimulation, ablation of atrioventricular conjunction) was made for change of pacing method and regime in 11.2% because of changed arrhythmia type. Total mortality for the follow-up period was 14.3%, in bradycardia--9.5%, in bradytachycardia--24%.

Continuous pacing improves quality of life in SSS patients.