Analysis of a five year experience of permanent pacemaker implantation at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: need for a national database.
BACKGROUND
Permanent pacemaker implantation is available in Nigeria. There is however no national registry or framework for pacemaker data collection. A pacemaker database has been developed in our institution and the results are analyzed in this study.


METHODS
The study period was between January 2008 and December 2012. Patient data was extracted from a prospectively maintained database which was designed to include the fields of the European pacemaker patient identification code.


RESULTS
Of the 51 pacemaker implants done, there were 29 males (56.9%) and 22 females (43.1%). Mean age was 68.2±12.7 years. Clinical indications were syncopal attacks in 25 patients (49%), dizzy spells in 15 patients (29.4%), bradycardia with no symptoms in 10 patients (17.7%) and dyspnoea in 2 patients (3.9%). The ECG diagnosis was complete heart block in 27 patients (53%), second degree heart block in 19 patients (37.2%) and sick sinus syndrome with bradycardia in 5 patients (9.8%). Pacemaker modes used were ventricular pacing in 29 patients (56.9%) and dual chamber pacing in 22 patients (43.1%). Files have been closed in 20 patients (39.2%) and 31 patients (60.8%) are still being followed up with median follow up of 26 months, median of 5 visits and 282 pacemaker checks done. Complications seen during follow up were 3 lead displacements (5.9%), 3 pacemaker infections (5.9%), 2 pacemaker pocket erosions (3.9%), and 1 pacemaker related death (2%). There were 5 non-pacemaker related deaths (9.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Pacemaker data has been maintained for 5 years. We urge other implanting institutions in Nigeria to maintain similar databases and work towards establishment of a national pacemaker registry.
Cardiothoracic Division, Department of Surgery, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Bode
B
Falase
Cardiothoracic Division, Department of Surgery, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Michael
M
Sanusi
First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
Adeyemi
A
Johnson
Cardiothoracic Division, Department of Surgery, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Fola
F
Akinrinlola
Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Reina
R
Ajayi
Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
David
D
Oke
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Nigeria; Pacemaker; database; follow up; implantation