[Permanent cardiac stimulation in Spain. Survey of the Pacemaker Task Force].

The results of an investigation made at the request of the Pacemaker Working Group, of the Electrocardiology and Arrhythmias Section, are analysed in order to know the functional and instrumental state of permanent cardiac stimulation in Spain, in two fundamental aspects: A) Pacemakers (MP) implantation and B) their subsequent follow-up. The conclusions reached through these data collected by 86 centres from a total of 115 investigations were: A1) An average of 180 MP per million people are implanted in Spain, of which 48.5% were carried out by cardiac surgeons, 27.5% by cardiologists, 16.7% by intensivists and 7.1% by teams made up from several specialties. The implantation does not mean that the patient must be transferred out from his province of residence, except in certain areas (La Rioja, Palencia, etc.). A2) Bicameral stimulation was not used in one third of the centres questioned. A3) Material conditions for implantation are, in general, adequate. A4) Endocavitary implantation technique is used in 99% of cases, with venous approach through percutaneous puncture of subclavian vein in 37.3% of cases. A5) The professional group most recently incorporated into cardiac stimulation is that of intensivists. A6) The most limited diagnostic methods are electrophysiology and nuclear cardiac technique. B1) Uneven geographical distribution of pacemaker control units (UCM) was found. B2) The main hierarchy dependence of the UCMs belongs to Cardiology Units. B3) Proportion of specially dedicated UCMs and of in vitro study laboratories is scarce. B4) Important participation of pacemaker manufacturing companies in the implementation of UCMs is found.