Clinical experience with a new DDD external pacemaker

A multicenter trial of a new external DDD pacemaker was conducted to evaluate its clinical performance. Additionally, methods of temporary lead implantation were analyzed for best performance. The device was found to function with few complications. In only 16 of the 146 devices used was the DDD mode abandoned. Of these, 3 were changed to the AAI mode and 4 were for atrial fibrillation. Several methods of lead implantation proved satisfactory. However, a simple U stitch through the muscle functioned best for atrial application and either a U stitch or a tined stitch functioned best for ventricular application.