[DDD pacemaker implantation--cardiac pacemaker tips in the left atrium and ventricle by the left thoracotomy]

Recently DDD pacemaker implantation for the children has undergone trials world wide; though regarding the approach, ways and positions of the epicardial lead, a few problems are still remained to be discussed. Now we report 9 cases (5 males, 4 females) of DDD pacemaker implantations by the left anterolateral thoracotomy approach. The 9 patients weighing 6.5 to 33 kg, were aged 11 months to 12 years (mean 6 years) of whom male 5, female 4 with degree of Block; 2 and 7. To all patients the stab-in type epicardial tips were implanted in the left atrium, the screw-in type ventricular epicardial tips were in the left ventricle by the 4th intercostal thoracotomy, and the pacemaker generators were beneath the fascia of the abdominal rectus muscle. We have no sensing and pacing failure, all pacemakers are working in the DDD mode well.