Why the study?
What are the complication rates associated with surgically upgrading pacemakers from a single to a dual chamber system?
What are the complication rates associated with surgically upgrading pacemakers from a single to a dual chamber system?
This report reviews a single-center experience of 74 patients undergoing pacemaker upgrades to assess complication rates.
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Single-center observational data should not alter upgrade decisions; leaves open need for prospective multicenter validation of risks.
Sir,—Hildick-Smith and colleagues1have reported high complication rates after pacemaker upgrade, with 45% of patients suffering one or more complications. We were initially surprised by this rate and were prompted to review the experience of surgically upgrading pacemakers at our hospital, which implants approximately 500 new pacing systems each year. Between 1983 and December 1997, 74 patients’ pacemakers were surgically upgraded from a single chamber (either AAI or VVI) to a dual chamber system. …
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Gribbin et al. (1998) studied this question.
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