Permanent pacemaker implantations among patients with spinal cord injury in the United States

Abstract

Abstract Background Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with severe cardiovascular complications. Information regarding the need for permanent cardiac pacing in SCI patients is scarce and based on case reports and small case series. We aimed to investigate the extent of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation procedures as well as to identify predictors for PPM insertion among SCI patients in a U.S contemporary, nationwide, all-comer registry. Methods Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of SCI in the US between 2016-2019 and underwent PPM implantation were identified. Patients with cardiac implantable electronic device in-situ were excluded. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, injury type, in-hospital procedures and outcomes including time to PPM implantation, length of stay and mortality were collected. Outcome analysis performed after propensity score matching (PSM). Predictors of PPM implantation were identified via a multivariable logistic regression model. Results A total of 35880 patients, were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of SCI during the study period, and 240 (0.7%) received a PPM. Median age of patients receiving PPM was 69 years, 75% were males, and 67% had high level SCI injury (level C1-5). Time to PPM implantation was 9 days (IQR 4-19). PPM implantation was associated with higher rates of cervical spine injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), chest and upper limbs injuries, respiratory failure and other signs of severe illness. Longer hospital stay and higher in-hospital mortality rate was observed in patients receiving a PPM. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors for PPM implantation: cervical SCI [OR 77.07 (11.13-553.42), p<0.001], TBI [OR 3.84(1.59-9.28), p=0.003] and tracheostomy/respiratory ventilation> 96 h [OR 31.766(7.91-127.54), p=<0.001]. Conclusion Cervical SCI, need for tracheostomy and prolonged mechanical ventilation were the strongest predictors for PPM implantation in patients hospitalized for SCI in a nationwide registry.