Reuse of pacemaker.

Implantation of a permanent pacemaker is an expensive proposition for the poor patients of our country. Many patients on permanent pacemaker die prematurely due to diseases or conditions not related to pacemaker function. The purpose of this study was to reuse these pacemakers after thorough cleansing and proper sterilisation in other suitable patients and compare the efficiency of the reused pacemakers with that of newly implanted ones. Between April 1979 and April 1992, 642 patients implanted with reused pacemakers were studied. The study population consisted of patients ranging in age from 15-85 years and included patients of both sexes (M:F = 4:1). The mean period of follow-up was 7.5 +/- 5.6 years. Removal and reimplantation of the pulse generators was carried out after obtaining the State Government's approval, informed consent of the donors, relatives and recipients. The functional status of the pulse generators was tested by a "pacing system analyser". The clinical indications for reuse were chronic complete heart block, symptomatic bifascicular heart block, sick sinus syndrome and chronic complete heart block with congestive heart failure, in decreasing order of frequency. In terms of morbidity and mortality, the efficacy of reused pacemakers was highly comparable with that of newly implanted ones. The infection rate in cases of reuse from dead patients was comparable to that in cases of new implantation. However, pacemakers reused in the same patient showed a high rate of infection. With the aid of newer generations of antimicrobials, infection when matched with efficacy and economy (of reuse) does not seem to be a major factor against pacemaker reuse.

Some host factors and seasonal variations in the fatal road traffic accidents occurring in eastern suburban Calcutta.

An extensive study of road traffic accident cases occurring within eastern suburban Calcutta during April 1992 to March 1993 was done. Of which 276 fatal cases having minimum medical aids were taken into consideration to avoid erroneous interpretation. Male pedestrians of age group of 50 years and above were mostly involved during the time period of 5 A.M. to 12 Noon. Fatal Accidents mostly occurred during winter and on the broader roads (Highways) and in majority of cases victims were at fault.