Long-term results of endocardial pacing with Autocapture (TM) threshold tracking pacemakers in children

WOS: 000233324000010PubMed ID: 16216759Aim We aimed to evaluate the Long-term results of endocardial pacing with Autocapture (TM) threshold tracking pacemakers in children. Methods and results Implantation and follow-up data of 20 children with these pacemakers were retrospectively evaluated. The pacemakers were implanted subpectorally in five and subcutaneously in 15 patients. The indication for pacing was high-grade atrioventricutar block in 18 cases. The mean age at implantation was 7 +/- 4.8 years. Four patients were pacemaker dependant (heart rate = 60 months of follow-up, battery impedances were still at the predischarge level. Conclusions Autocapture function works well in most children at implantation. Mean ER signal significantly decreases over time despite stable pacing parameters. Autocapture function may become nonoperational due to decreased ER signal in some patients. Muscle twitching may be an important problem that may result in discontinuation of autocapture function in children with subpectoral implants. (c) 2005 The European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved