Incidence and management of pacemaker-related complications during dual-chamber pacing.
To evaluate the complication rate during AV universal pacing (DDD), 41 consecutive patients with complete heart block were studied and followed up for 2-30 (mean 10.8) months. The Cordis Sequicor Theta was used in 6 patients and the Siemens-Elema 674 in 35. Clinical problems related to the pacemaker treatment occurred in 12 patients (pacemaker tachycardia triggered by retrograde atrial activation in 2, atrial oversensing in 3 and undersensing in 2, ventricular oversensing in 2 and undersensing in 1). Ventricular fibrillation occurred during threshold measurement in one patient. Seven of the problems could be ascribed to the DDD mode. Four of these 7 problems could be solved by reprogramming the pacemaker. A nonprogrammable atrial refractory period in the Cordis Sequicor was found to be a limitation in patients with endless loop tachycardia. In 3 cases reoperation had to be performed. In another 3 cases there were problems with ventricular sensing which in one could be solved by reprogramming. Apart from ventricular fibrillation, which could not be ascribed to the DDD mode, there were no serious problems in the clinical management of the patients.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*