Emergency Pacing and Subsequent Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in a Premature Infant of 1770 g with a Follow-Up of 6 Years

Abstract.

We report successful emergency pacing followed by permanent pacemaker implantation due to complete block in an otherwise healthy premature infant of 1770 g. Via the umbilical vein a temporary bipolar pacing lead was placed in the right ventricle. The lack of spontaneous improvement warranted implantation of a permanent pacemaker system at the age of 2 weeks. Via a transatrial approach an endocardial unipolar screw-in lead was placed in the right ventricle and connected to a pulse generator implanted subcutaneously. During the follow-up period of 6 years the child has been doing well with his VVI-R pacemaker operating at rates between 80 and 160 pulses/minute at a chronic stimulation threshold below 0.9 V at 0.37 msec.