Pacemaker follow-up with prolonged intervals in the stable period 1 to 5 years postimplant

This pilot study focuses on pacemaker follow-up in the technically stable period 1-5 years after a pacemaker implantation. Two hundred and thirty selected patients with single chamber pacemakers (215 VVI, 15 AAI) had their follow-up intervals prolonged to 2-4 years in this period. Sixty-six patients fulfilled the study period uneventfully and 21 are still pending. Sixty-nine patients had unscheduled visits to the pacemaker clinic. Of these, 7 were reoperated (1 for exit block, 4 had pocket erosions, and 2 were upgraded to DDD). Nine were reprogrammed (1 for sensing failure, 1 had the pulse duration increased, and in 7 the pacing rate was changed). Seventy-four patients died. In 63, the cause of death is known not to be pacemaker related. Six died suddenly, and in five cases, the cause of death is unknown. This study indicates that frequent follow-up visits may be omitted in this period in selected patients with single chamber pacemakers. A prerequisite is that the patients are registered at a pacemaker clinic and have easy access to the physician whenever they suspect pacemaker related problems.