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3191007 
Journal Article 
Pacemaker implantation complication rates in elderly and young patients 
Ozcan, KS; Osmonov, D; Altay, S; Dönmez, C; Yıldırım, E; Türkkan, C; Güngör, B; Ekmekçi, A; Alper, AT; Gürkan, K; Erdinler, I 
2013 
Yes 
Clinical Interventions in Aging
ISSN: 1176-9092
EISSN: 1178-1998 
8 
1051-1054 
English 
23966776 
AIMS: To evaluate the complication rate differences between elderly and younger patients who receive a permanent pacemaker implantation.

METHODS: We reviewed all cases admitted to our institution between January 2008 and June 2009 with symptomatic bradyarrhythmia for whom a permanent pacemaker was implanted. Beginning in June 2009, we prospectively collected data from all patients with the same diagnosis and procedure. The frequency of complications due to the pacemaker implantation procedure was evaluated and compared between young (<70 years old) and elderly (≥70 years old) patients.

RESULTS: Among 574 patients with a permanent pacemaker, 259 patients (45.1%) were below and 315 patients (54.9%) were above or at 70 years of age. There were 240 (92.7%) and 19 (7.3%) dual-chamber pacemaker (DDD) and single-chamber pacemaker (VVI) implanted patients in the younger group, and 291 (76.8%) and 73 (23.2%) DDD and VVI pacemaker implanted patients in the elderly group, respectively. The complication rate was 39 (15.1%) out of 259 young patients and 24 (7.6%) out of 315 elderly patients. Postprocedural complications were statistically lower in the elderly patients than in younger patients (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION: A pacemaker implantation performed by an experienced operator is a safe procedure for patients of advanced age. The patients who are above 70 years old may have less complication rates than the younger patients.