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Ann Thorac Surg 2007;83:1420-1423
© 2007 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
a Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University Children’s Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
b Division of Congenital Cardiovascular Surgery, University Children’s Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
Accepted for publication November 13, 2006.
* Address correspondence to Dr Balmer, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University Children’s Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, Zurich 8032, Switzerland (Email: christian.balmer{at}kispi.unizh.ch).
Background: Pacemaker (PM) system implantation in neonates and infants is often complicated by hemodynamic instability, small vessel size, and abnormal cardiovascular anatomy. Thus, an open surgical approach for epicardial lead insertion is often required. We assessed the long-term outcomes after epicardial PM implantation in this age group.
Methods: Between 1992 and 2004, 22 consecutive patients underwent PM implantation within the first year of life. Bipolar steroid-eluting epicardial leads (Medtronic CapSure Epi 10366 and 4968) were inserted through median sternotomy, the sybxyphoid approach, or thoracotomy, and connected to various pulse generators.
Results: Pacemakers were implanted at a median age of 35 days (range, 1 to 300). Intracardiac anatomy was abnormal in 17 patients. Indications for PM therapy were heart block in 18 patients and sinus node dysfunction in 4 patients. During a median follow-up of 4.6 years (range, 4 days to 12.8 years), 7 devices were replaced owing to end of battery life (n = 6) or elective device repositioning (n = 1), at a median of 4.1 years (range, 1 to 7.8). One dislodged ventricular lead and 2 atrial lead sensing failures were observed. Sensing, pacing thresholds, and lead impedances showed good implant and stable follow-up values.
Conclusions: Pacemaker-associated morbidity is low. Pacemaker system complications with epicardial leads are rare. Battery life is relatively shorter compared with children and adults because of the fast heart rate and complete PM dependency in most of these children. Even for neonates and infants, modern pacemaker therapy is feasible, safe, and effective.
Related Article
Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2007 83: 1423-1424.
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M. K. Heinemann Invited commentary Ann. Thorac. Surg., April 1, 2007; 83(4): 1423 - 1424. [Full Text] [PDF]
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