Related Experiment Videos
[Pacemaker implants in children]
O García1, R Zilleruelo, O Gómez
1Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna.
Insights
Pacemaker implants in children showed low lethality, with most patients experiencing good outcomes. Complications included pulse generator replacements and rare electrode fractures, but long-term survival was high.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Context:
- Retrospective analysis of pacemaker implants in pediatric patients.
- Study conducted at a public cardiovascular center in Santiago, Chile (1979-1989).
Purpose:
- To assess complications and lethality associated with pacemaker implantation in infants and children.
- Evaluate the long-term outcomes of pediatric pacemaker recipients.
Summary:
- 32 pediatric patients underwent pacemaker implantation, primarily for congenital atrioventricular block (69%) and post-surgical arrhythmias (31%).
- 9 children required pulse generator replacement after an average of 5.5 years.
- Complications included electrode fractures (4 cases) and elevated stimulation thresholds (1 case).
- Four deaths occurred during follow-up; only one was in the immediate post-operative period and unrelated to the device.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the safety and efficacy of long-term pacemaker use in pediatric populations.
- Highlights the need for monitoring and potential device revisions in pediatric pacemaker patients.
- Provides valuable data for understanding pediatric cardiac device management and outcomes.
Abstract:
Complications and lethality related to pacemaker implants performed to 32 infants and children at a public cardiovascular center of Santiago, Chile, from december 1979 throughout december 1989 were retrospectively assessed. Indications for pacemaker implants were complete congenital atrioventricular block (n = 22; 69%), and post-surgical arrhythmias (n = 10; 31%). Replacement of pulse generator was necessary in 9 children after an average time of 5.5/12 years from the initial implant. Electrode fractures were detected in 4 cases of pacemaker's failure and raised stimulation threshold in one of such patients. Four patients of this series died along follow-up, only one death occurred in the immediate post-operatory period. The other 3 cases died several months after surgery due to causes not related to the pacemakers. The remaining 28 children are in good physical and emotional conditions.