Endocardial catheters were associated with lower mortality (2% vs 11%) compared to epicardial catheters, despite similar rates of major complications (31.5% vs 30%).
Observational (n=200)
Does the use of endocardial catheters compared to epicardial catheters reduce mortality and complications in patients receiving permanent cardiac pacemakers?
Endocardial catheters are preferable to epicardial catheters for permanent pacemakers due to lower mortality, despite similar overall rates of major complications.
Absolute Event Rate: 2% vs 11%
Of 200 patients who had permanent cardiac pacemakers implanted between 1961 and 1971, 70 had epicardial catheters with 11% mortality and 30% major complications, related to wire breakage or skin erosion. The remainder (130) had endocardial catheters with 2% mortality, and 31.5% major complications related to erosion of skin and perforations of the heart. The "trapped endocardial electrode," unique to the system was encountered 11 times. It is concluded that endocardial catheters are preferable to epicardial.
Anthony M. Imparato (Wed,) conducted a observational in Permanent cardiac pacemakers (n=200). Endocardial catheters vs. Epicardial catheters was evaluated on Mortality. Endocardial catheters were associated with lower mortality (2% vs 11%) compared to epicardial catheters, despite similar rates of major complications (31.5% vs 30%).
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