Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical characteristics, comorbidities, responsible dis­eases and in-hospital mortality of patients who received a temporary pacemaker
Methods: Our study included 545 patients who received a temporary pacemaker due to various causes during their hospitalization between January 2008 and May 2012.
Results: Of the 545 patients whose records were scanned retrospectively in our study, 235 (43%) were fe­male and 310 (57%) were male. Average age of patients was 70±14.2 years (20,100). Leading cause for receiving pacemaker was third degree atrioventricular block (178 patients, 32.6%).Other causes were bradycardia or asys­tole during procedures such as coronary angiography, catheterization etc. (101 patients, 18.5%), symptomatic sinus bradycardia (70 patients, 12.8%), pacemaker end of life (During procedure, 65 patients, 11.9%). Temporary pacemaker implantation due to drugs, hyperpotasemia and both was 6.2% (34 patients), 3.6% (20 patients) and 1.1% (6 patients) respectively. Eight patients used drugs for committing suicide. While the top responsible drugs for pacemaker implantation were digoxin, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, only one patient was using a noncardiac drug (oxcarbamazepin). Half of the patients had coronary artery disease (276 patients, 51%). 101 pa­tients (18.5%) received a temporary pacemaker due to block in the course of myocardial infarction. 85 patients died during their hospitalization (15.5%).
Conclusıon: Although causes for temporary pacemaker implantation has changed over time, myocardial infarction with block still remains fatal even a temporary pacemaker is inserted.