title: Pace maker implantation for elderly individuals over 90 years old.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this report was to discuss validity of pacemaker surgery for elderly individuals over 90 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  We operated on 12 individuals over 90 years old who had syncope or congestive heart failure in association with bradycardia, between January 2005 and November 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 12 patients were referred to us by the cardiology department of our hospital for pacemaker surgery. We applied our routine technique: cutdown of the cephalic vein, creation of a subpectoral pocket, use of screw-in leads, and use of generators with an automatic output control system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the patients received a dual chamber system with atrial and ventricular leads and recovered uneventfully. The follow-up period was between 1 month and 7 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An advanced age over 90 years old is not a contraindication for pacemaker surgery.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Yuri-Kumiai General Hospital, Japan.
authors: Eika
authors: E
authors: Shiheido
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Yuri-Kumiai General Hospital, Japan.
authors: Yasuyuki
authors: Y
authors: Shimada
keywords: death with dignity; elderly; indication; pacemaker
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