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Alzheimer's disease: is pacemaker implantation safe?
Damirbek Osmonov1, Kazim Serhan Ozcan, Servet Altay
1Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey.
American Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease and Other Dementias
|April 24, 2012
Summary
Pacemaker implantation may pose risks for Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, particularly those 75 and older. Complication rates, including reoperation needs, were higher in AD patients, especially in the older age group.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Pacemaker implantation is common for bradyarrhythmia.
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects cognitive function and may influence surgical outcomes.
- The safety of pacemaker implantation in AD patients requires specific evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and complication rates of permanent pacemaker implantation in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- To compare complication rates between AD patients and non-AD patients, considering age as a factor.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective and prospective review of patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation for symptomatic bradyarrhythmia.
- Inclusion of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Stratification of patients into two age groups: <75 years and ≥75 years to analyze age-related complication risks.
Main Results:
- Out of 574 pacemaker patients, 20 (3.4%) had AD.
- Three AD patients experienced complications, all in the ≥75 age group.
- Reoperation rates were significantly higher in AD patients (P = .006).
Conclusions:
- Pacemaker implantation carries potential risks for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- The risk of complications is notably higher in AD patients aged 75 years and older.
- Age is a critical factor in determining complication rates following pacemaker implantation in AD patients.
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