[Can the cardiologist implant pacemakers without a surgeon?]

The authors evaluate the results of activities of the cardiostimulation centre during a two-year period: 1991-1992 with special attention to the incidence of surgical complications. As in the authors' department are implanted by cardiologists without the assistance of a surgeon, the authors compared the frequency of surgical complications with data from departments where implantations are made by a cardiologists and a surgeon. During the investigation period a total of 315 operations were performed, incl. 229 primary implantations. Early surgical complications developed in two subjects (0.63%). Late surgical complications occurred in 22 patients (6.98%). The total was thus 24 complications, i.e. 7.58% of all operations. These results are comparable with the percentage of complications reported in our literature and literature published in other countries. Permanent cardiac pacing is a routine operation which can be implemented by a well trained cardiologist without a surgeon, without a negative impact on the patient. The authors conclude that under new economic conditions this approach makes the implantation cheaper and simpler from the technical aspect.