Pacemaker selection: time for a rethinking of complex pacing systems?

Eur Heart J. 2006 Jan;27(2):132-5. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehi591. Epub 2005 Oct 5.

Abstract

Evidence from randomized trials indicates that the clinical benefits of dual-chamber (DDD) pacing are modest: (i) no significant differences exist between physiological pacing and single-chamber pacing in mortality and stroke; (ii) ventricular desynchronization resulting from chronic right-ventricular pacing in DDD mode, induces a significantly increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure hospitalizations; (iii) AF pacing prevention and therapy algorithms have shown a modest to minimal or absent efficacy; (iv) the widespread use of physiological pacemakers is not an economically attractive strategy. Thus, these data provide a reliable body of evidence on which to make more rationale clinical decisions for individual patients and policy decisions for health costs saving. The cheaper single-chamber AAI(R) or VVI(R) has been shown to satisfy both conditions in most cases of sinus node disease and AV block.

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial*
  • Decision Making
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic