[Permanent pacemaker implantation. Indications and results]

Clinical, laboratory and electrocardiographic data from 608 patients with permanent pacemakers implanted over a period of 8 years, were evaluated retrospectively. The number of implants was greater in males (56.5%) and in patients over 60 years of age (77.5%). Atherosclerosis was the most common disease found in this group (50%). Syncope occurred in 96.2% of the cases; and complete AV block was the most common electrocardiographic alteration (50.5%). Electrode displacement occurred in 32 patients (5.2%) and was the most commonly found early complication. Among the late complications, 10.3% of the patients had infections in the area of the generator. The total mortality was 7.7% due to the heart disease rather than pacemaker-related complication.