Long-term follow-up of elderly patients with pacemaker implantation (a report of 122 cases) / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate, the long-term results of pacemaker implantation in 122 elderly patients. Methods A long-term follow-up was carried out in 122 elderly patients (≥ 70 years old, elderly group)and 109 non-elderly patients (< 70 years old,non-elderly group)who received pacemaker implantation. The elinical characteristics, complications and quality of life were compared. Results The mean follow-up time was (8.22±6.01) years and (7.74±5.82) years respectively. The successful rate of the follow-up was 100%. The overall postoperative complications about pacemaker pocket and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation occurred in elderly group were higher than those in non-elderly group (4.10% vs 0, 21.31% vs 10.09%, P< 0.05).The heart function failure was the main cause of the death in elderly group. The stroke and uremia were the main causes of the death in non-elderly group. There was no significant difference in the improvement of the life quality in both groups (P>0.05). Conclusions The pacemaker implantation is a safe and effective therapy for treatment of elderly patients with bradyeardia, and can improve the quality of elderly patients' life. Optimal mode for elderly patients will be given according to the physiological characteristics and the types of bradycardia.