Experience with cardiac pacing in the Nigerian Delta region

Abstract

Introduction: Pacemaker implantation is an important intervention that has been shown to improve the quality of life and reduce mortality in patients with bradyarrhythmias. The objective of this study was to report the permanent cardiac pacing at the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital between June 1, 2017, and May 31, 2019, with the indications, pacemaker type, methods, and complications. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of 44 adult patients with permanent cardiac pacing. Medical records of all patients who had permanent pacing between June 1, 2017, and May 31, 2019, were collected. Results: A total of 44 patients were treated. The age range was from 15 to 98 years with a median of 74.00 years. There were 25 (56.8%) males and 19 (43.2%) females. The major symptoms were syncope 20 (45.5%), dizziness and syncope 10 (22.7%), and palpitation and syncope 6 (13.6%). The most common electrocardiography finding was complete heart block (CHB) in 31 patients (70.46%). Four patients had single-chamber pacing (VVIR), 40 (90.9%) had dual-chamber pacing, and three had ventricular lead extraction and re-implantation of a new lead. Twenty-nine patients had apical pacing and 15 received septal pacing and all the leads were bipolar. Conclusion: CHB was the most common reason for pacemaker implantation and dual chamber was the preferred technique because it mimics the natural atrioventricular synchronization of the sinus rhythm in normal subjects.