title: Permanent pacing in the elderly.
abstract: A total of 89 patients, age 80 years or older at the time of initial permanent pacemaker implantation, were followed for 10 to 128 months [mean 32.7]. There were 54 males and 35 females. The mean age was 84.8 years. There were 51 patients age 80-84, 25 age 85-89, and 13 age 90-94. The actuarial 5-year survival was 45%. Complications occurred in 23 patients [40 episodes]. To date, 41 patients have already required at least one pulse generator replacement and 2 patients have already required 5 replacements. All but 3 patients were symptomatic prior to pacing and 56 were asymptomatic at last follow-up. Permanent pacing in the elderly is therapeutically rewarding and not associated with excess morbidity.
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000368:Aged; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006327:Heart Block / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D012086:Reoperation; D013575:Syncope / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy