Spanish pacemaker registry. 10th official report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2012)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to analyze the pacemaker implantations and replacements reported to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry in 2012 with special reference to the selection of pacing modes.

METHOD

The analysis was based on information provided by the European Pacemaker Patient Identification Card.

RESULTS

Data were received from 115 hospitals, with a total of 12 856 cards. An estimated 745.8 pacemaker generators and 53.1 resynchronization devices were implanted per million population. Active fixation leads were implanted in more than 70% of the patients; of these leads, more than 20% were safe for use with magnetic resonance. The most common electrocardiographic indication for pacemaker implantation was atrioventricular block (56%). In all, 28% of the patients with sick sinus syndrome were paced in VVIR mode.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of conventional pacemakers remained stable, whereas the implantation of resynchronization devices increased. Active fixation leads are now employed in most patients. The findings of this study confirm the higher incidence of implantation in men and at an earlier age due to the higher rate of conduction disorders. Age is a factor that influences the choice of the appropriate pacing mode.

Spanish Pacemaker Registry. Ninth official report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2011)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

To describe the results of the analysis of pacemaker implantations reported to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry in 2011, with particular reference to the population distribution and the selection of pacing modes.

METHODS

Information provided by the European Pacemaker Patient Identification Card was processed using a purpose-built computer application.

RESULTS

Data from 115 hospitals were analyzed, totaling 13,373 cards, representing an estimated 38% of implantations. The number of pacemaker generators and resynchronization devices implanted was 738 and 56.2 units per million population, respectively. The mean age of the patients who received a device was 76.7 years. Overall, 57.2% of first implantations and 56.5% of replacements were performed in men. Most implantations (38.7%) and generator replacements (41.9%) were performed in patients aged between 80 and 89 years. Of the pacemaker leads used, 99.7% were bipolar and 63% used an active fixation system. Overall, 20% of the patients with atrioventricular block or sick sinus syndrome were paced in VVI/R mode despite being in sinus rhythm.

CONCLUSIONS

With respect to previous years, the use of conventional pacemakers remained stable and the implantation of resynchronization devices has increased. The number of implantation procedures continues to be higher in men and in younger patients. Age and the degree of blockage remain as factors influencing the appropriate choice of pacing mode.

Spanish pacemaker registry. 6th official report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2008)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

This article describes the findings of an analysis of data on pacemaker implantations and replacements reported to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry during 2008.

METHODS

The data came primarily from information recorded on European Pacemaker Patient Identification Cards.

RESULTS

Data were received from 116 hospital units, which submitted a total of 11,855 identification cards representing 36.3% of all pacemakers implanted. There was a marked increase in the number of pacemaker units used, which rose to a rate of 708.3 per million inhabitants. The frequency of pacemaker implantation increased and the mean age of male patients decreased. The largest number of implantations were carried out in patients in their 70s, who comprised 39.1% of the total. The most frequent electrocardiographic indication was atrioventricular block. With regard to pacing leads, active fixation leads were used in the atrium in 59.3% of cases and in the ventricle in 37.9% of cases. There was an improvement in the choice of pacing mode, with age being a determining factor. For example, in sick sinus syndrome, the VVI/R mode was used in a 29% of patients aged over 80 years compared with 14% of those aged under 80 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Age was found to be one factor influencing the selection of the most appropriate pacing mode. Active fixation leads were used more often, reaching 44.5% of leads implanted. Atrioventricular pacing was used in a greater percentage of cases than in any other time period covered by the pacemaker registry.

Spanish Pacemaker Registry. Fifth official report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2007)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this article was to report findings from the Spanish Pacemaker Registry on procedures carried out in 2007. The analysis includes details of patients' demographic characteristics, the type of procedure (i.e., implant or replacement), pacing mode, and the electrode and fixation systems used.

METHODS

The data collected comprised all the information recorded on European Pacemaker Patient Identification Cards, which were submitted voluntarily in either electronic or paper form.

RESULTS

The information received from 114 health-care centers included 11 360 cards, which covered 36.9% of all pacemakers thought to be implanted during 2007. Some 680.4 pacemakers were used per million inhabitants. Usage varied significantly between different Spanish autonomous regions, partly due to uneven ageing of the population. Some 25.3% of all procedures were to replace generators. The average age of patients undergoing a first implantation was 76.1 years, with a difference between the sexes: 75.4 years in men and 77.1 years in women. First implantations were carried out most often in patients in their 70s, who comprised 40% of the total, compared with other decades of life. There were more first implantations in men, who accounted for 57.9% of the total, due to a higher incidence of intraventricular conduction disturbance. In contrast, sick sinus syndrome was equally common in both sexes. Leaving aside patients with atrial tachyarrhythmia, it was observed that the VVI/R mode was used in 26.2% of those with sick sinus syndrome, 28% with atrioventricular block and 28.1% with intraventricular conduction disturbance. Age had a great influence on whether this pacing mode was selected. Almost all leads used were bipolar. The percentage using active fixation increased to 36.5%. The percentage of implants involving low-energy cardiac resynchronization therapy remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

The Spanish Pacemaker Registry received data on a highly representative sample of patients requiring cardiac pacing in 2007, which covered 11 360 device implantations or replacements. It was observed that the incidence of first implantations was influenced by sex, being greater in males, who underwent implantation at a younger age because conduction disturbances were more common. Age was one factor influencing the pacing mode selected for a range of electrocardiographic indications for pacing. Almost all leads implanted were bipolar. The percentage using active fixation continues to increase.