Use of the permanent transvenous pacemaker in 168 consecutive patients

Abstract One hundred and eighty-one implantations of permanent transvenous cardiac pacemakers have been performed in 168 patients at the St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, N. Y., from April 1965, to March 1970. The chief indication for the implantations was complete heart block, although one-third of the patients were symptomatic from other bradyarrhythmias. Only ventricular triggered demand units have been used in the last two years. Cardiac output studies at varying rates indicated a rate of 60 beats per minute to be adequate in the group so studied, and all pacemakers are set at this rate. All patients have been relieved of symptoms. Complications have been minimal. The demand-type pacemaker has proved as reliable as the fixedrate unit, and appears preferable in all patients.