[Permanent pacemaker implantation in patients aged 80 years or older]

Forty-five patients aged 80 years or older at the time of initial permanent pacemaker implantation were followed for 3 to 132 months (mean 40.8). There were 27 males and 18 females. The mean age was 84 years. Acute voltage threshold, lead impedance, R wave amplitude of these patients showed no difference from those of younger patients (< 80 years). Complications occurred in 5 patients as follows: cerebral infarction, 3: perforation, 1; lead displacement, 1. Ten patients died, and main causes of death were decrepitude and cancer. The five-year cumulative survival rate (75.9%) was superior to the expected survival rate (65.8%) by life-table analysis. In conclusion, pacemaker therapy for elderly patients is safe, and seemed to improve their long-term prognosis.