Dual antiplatelet therapy increases pocket hematoma complications in Chinese patients with pacemaker implantation

To assess the prevalence of the bleeding complications in pacemaker implanted patients receiving different antiplatelet regimens, and the influence of each regimen on hospital stays after device implantation.

We prospectively enrolled 364 patients receiving the cardiac rhythm device implantations in Fuwai Hospital from July 2012 to December 2013. Bleeding complications including pocket hematoma, hemothorax, cardiac tamponade and blood transfusion requirement were measured as endpoints. Post operation hospital stay was also included in the endpoints.

Bleeding complications were detected in 15 patients (14 with hematoma, one with hemothorax) out of all 364 patients (4.12%). Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) significantly increased hematoma (19.3%) compared with aspirin treatment (ASA) (3.2%, P = 0.001) and no antiplatelet therapy (1.9%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in incidence of pocket hematoma between the ASA group and the control group (P = 0.45). The post procedure hospital stay was longer in DAT group (5.45 ± 2.01 days) compared to those in the ASA group (3.65 ± 1.37 days, P < 0.05) or control group (3.99 ± 2.27 days, P < 0.05). Pocket hematoma was considered an independent predictor of hospital stay prolongation (OR: 5.26; 95% CI: 1.56-16.64; P = 0.007).

Among the Chinese patients undergoing device implantation in this study, the use of dual antiplatelet agents significantly increased the risk of pocket hematoma complications and led to a longer hospital stay. Use of aspirin alone did not increase the risk.