[Problems in pacemaker therapy in childhood (author's transl)]

Over a period of 10 years, 16 children, aged 1.8 to 13 years underwent implantation of a cardiac pacemaker. The most common indication, in 11 cases, was a complete post-operative heart blockage. Two children died without it being able to be ascertained whether the pacemaker had in fact failed. There was a return of sinus rhythm in the case of 4 children. Pacemaker therapy over a period of 56 patient years produced 19 cases with such severe complications that renewed surgical treatment was necessary.