Emergency pacing and subsequent permanent pacemaker implantation in a premature infant of 1770 g with a follow-up of 6 years.
We report successful emergency pacing followed by permanent pacemaker implantation due to complete block in an otherwise healthy premature infant of 1,770 g. Via the umbilical vein a temporary bipolar pacing lead was placed in the right ventricle. The lack of spontaneous improvement warranted implantation of a permanent pacemaker system at the age of 2 weeks. Via a transatrial approach an endocardial unipolar screw-in lead was placed in the right ventricle and connected to a pulse generator implanted subcutaneously. During the follow-up period of 6 years the child has been doing well with his VVI-R pacemaker operating at rates between 80 and 160 pulses/minute at a chronic stimulation threshold below 0.9 V at 0.37 msec.
Hanséus
K
K
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Sandström
S
S
Schüller
H
H
D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014471:Umbilical Veins