[Permanent pacing in childhood: a review of 11 years of experience].

STUDY

OBJECTIVE

To review our eleven year experience in the implantation and follow-up of permanent Pacemakers in the paediatric age group.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Children submitted to permanent cardiac Pacing implantation and accompanied in the Pacing Center of the Hospital de Santa Maria.

PATIENTS: Children from both sexes, aged from neonate to 14 years old, with brady-dysrhythmia and indication for permanent cardiac Pacing implantation.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

From November 1980 to September 1991, 16 children had permanent Pacemaker implantation. We describe the clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of the population, mode of Pacing used, technical data from the implantation and evolution.

RESULTS

One children died due to associated cardiac defect not related to the Pacemaker. The other 15 children remain in follow-up with normofunctioning Pacemakers and free of symptoms. We had to perform 11 reinterventions in 8 children due to generator or electrode problems (28,2 months reintervention interval).

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in Pacemaker technology and a careful technique of implantation can significantly reduce the morbidity associated to permanent pacemaker implantation in this age group.