The Australian and New Zealand cardiac pacing and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator survey: calendar year 1997.
BACKGROUND
A comprehensive pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) survey was undertaken in Australia (Aus) and New Zealand (NZ) for calendar year 1997.


RESULTS
Compared to the 1993 survey, significant increases in implantation numbers were recorded. For 1997, the total new PM implanted was 6,405 Aus (3,834 in 1993) and 823 NZ (530 in 1993). The number of new pacemaker implants per million population was 345 Aus (216 in 1993) and 228 NZ (150 in 1993). Implantation centres increased between surveys from 49 to 92 in Aus and from seven to eight in NZ. There were smaller increases in pacemaker replacements between surveys with 735 in Aus (700 in 1993) and 126 in NZ (82 in 1993). In both countries, pacemaker implants were performed predominantly by non-surgeons. New recipients aged > 80 years were approximately 25% Aus and 30% NZ. The predominant indications were high degree atrio-ventricular block and sick-sinus syndrome in both Aus and NZ. Dual chamber implants were 65% Aus and 55% NZ. The median hospital stay was about 2 days in Aus and 1 day in NZ. Pacing leads were overwhelmingly transvenous, bipolar and tined in both chambers. They were inserted via a cephalic vein cutdown in approximately 40% of cases in Aus and 49% in NZ. For ICD, the implants were 449 Aus (180 in 1993) and 31 NZ (10 in 1993) with new implants per million population being 24 Aus and eight NZ. A breakdown of data for the six Aus States is presented.
Mond
H G
HG
Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia. hmond@bigpond.net.au
Whitlock
R M
RM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data