ABSTRACT
Objective To study the value and feasibility of temporary emergency bedside cardiac pacing. Method Two hundred patients with severe witnessed bradycardia were treated with temporary emergency cardiac pacing. We treated 130 patients with emergency bedside pacing and 70 patients with x-ray-guided pacing. Results Emergency bedside pacing was successful in 127 patients except three patients and no postoperative complications occurred. X-ray-guided pacing was successful in all 70 patients but three patients experienced complications: one deep venous thrombosis and two cardiac tamponades due to myocardial perforation. The pacing electrodes were more likely to be displaced in X-ray-guided pacing than in emergency bedside pacing (six cases versus three cases) . The door-to-operation time was 30-90 min for x-ray-guided cardiac pacing and 5-15 min for emergency bedside pacing. Needle-to-pacing times were similar for both procedures (3.5 ± 1.5 min for x-ray guided pacing versus 4± 2.5 min for bedside pacing). Conclusions Temporary emergency bedside cardiac pacing is a rapid, efficient and safe procedure for treating severe witnessed bradycardia. The technique is easily mastered and may prove lifesaving in an emergency.