[Sudden cardiac death in patients with pacemakers]

The risk of sudden death in our material, is 13.6% of all deaths. 2. In 5 patients (1.6%) death was caused by failure of the pacemaker (PM), or the electrode. 3. Patients with an asynchronous PM have no higher risk for sudden death, than patients with demand PM. 4. In 9 of 44 patients, a dysfunction of the PM or electrode, can not be excluded. Thus, it must be strictly advised in all patients with an implanted PM, that an autopsy and control of the explanted PM and electrode should be performed. 5. Patients who have a higher risk for sudden death (total AV-Block, Adams-Stokes-Attacks) should be kept hospitalized at least 4 weeks after implantation, controlled more frequently than others, and should be labelled as high risk patients in their PM passport. 6. Control of the resistance in the patients circuit can detect impending failure of the electrode and prevent life threatening complications.