Supraventricular arrhythmias in children with permanent pacemakers during long follow-up

Abstract

Purpose of study was to evaluate the frequency of supraventricular arrhythmias in children with permanent pacemakers during long follow-up. Methods used Pacemakers were implanted in 81 children 43 males (53%) at the age of 3 to 192 month (mean age 110.9±53.6 month). 35 (43.2%) children underwent the VVI or VOO pacemaker implantation and 46 (56,8%) patients were paced in physiological pacing modes (AAI, VDD, VDDR, DDD, DDDR). Followup was performed for 12 to 360 month (mean follow-up – 119,1±87,9 month). Results Supraventricular arrhythmias were found in 11 patients (13, 6%) – group 1. In 6 (54.5%) patients of this group it was permanent atrial fibrillation and in 4(36.4%) patients – paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In 1 (9.1%) patient permanent atrial flutter was detected. Two distinctive features were found in this group of patients: first – they were paced for a long period, second it was no physiological pacing. 2 of them were paced in VOO mode and 9 patients in VVI mode. Mean follow-up was 230,7±62,8 month. In contrast the mean follow-up of the second group consist of 24 patients without any supraventricular arrhythmias and who were also paced in VVI mode was 105,2±62,7 month (p=0,000024). We have seen statistical differences in hemodynamic parameters in these two groups of patients. Conclusion Supraventricular arrhythmias are more frequent in patients who have nonphysiological pacing (VOO, VVI) for a long time (more than 10 years)