Leadless pacemakers in critically ill patients requiring prolonged
cardiac pacing; a multicenter international study.
Abstract
Background: Temporary transvenous pacing in critically ill patients
requiring prolonged cardiac pacing is associated with a high risk of
complications. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of
self-contained intracardiac leadless pacemaker (LPM) implantation in
this population. Methods and Results: Consecutive patients implanted
with a Micra LPM during the hospitalization in an intensive care unit
were retrospectively included. Inclusion criteria were: ≥1 supracaval
central venous, or a ventilation tube, or intravenous antibiotic therapy
for ongoing sepsis or bacteremia. Patients with a history of previous
implantation of a pacemaker were excluded. Out of 1,016 patients
implanted with an LPM, 99 met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 75
years and Charlson comorbidity index 7. LPM implantation was
successfully performed in 98% of cases, with a peri-operative
complication rate of 5%, mainly cardiac injuries. In-hospital mortality
rate was 6%. No late (>30 days) device-related
complication occurred, especially no infection. Conclusions: LPM appears
as an acceptable alternative to conventional temporary transvenous
pacing in selected critically ill patients requiring prolonged cardiac
pacing, especially regarding the risk of infection.