[Permanent pacemakers: 15 years' experience]

We report a 15 year experience in the attention of patients with definitive pacemakers. This study includes 200 patients treated from 1964 to 1978, with an age range from 15 to 102 years, who required 329 generators. The predominant cardiopathy was atheroesclerotic (172 cases). We analyze the associated diseases in which hypertension was prominent in 30% of these cases. The most frequent rhythm alteration was atrioventricular block in 72% of the cases, and trifascicular block in 16%. We observed 35 intercurrent complications (17.5%), and the most frequent was infection of the generator bag. Mortality in these patients averaged 11%, being strictly imputable to the pacemaker in only 2%. Eighty patients needed generator change and we report a case who required up to six changes. The implantation of permanent pacemakers for treatment of patients with severe arrhythmias is considered at present secure and effective.