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Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in the Elderly

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Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Elderly

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Abstract

Permanent pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization (CRT) devices are commonly used in the management of cardiovascular disease. Sick sinus syndrome and atrio-ventricular block are the two most common indications for permanent pacemaker implantation, representing more than 90% of the cases, and are both strongly associated with increasing age. Understanding the cardiovascular physiology among elderly patients is critical to the selection of the optimal surgical technique and reduction of complications. In this chapter, the role of pacemakers, ICDs, CRTs as well as technical issues for cardiac rhythm device implantation, including risk of device-related complications and appropriate programming in elderly patients, is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, McMaster University, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON, L8L2X2, Canada

    Luciana Armaganijan

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  1. Luciana Armaganijan
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  2. Jeff S. Healey
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Correspondence to Luciana Armaganijan .

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  1. , Department of Thoracic Surgery, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, 1000 East Mountain Drive, Wilkes-Barre, 18711, Pennsylvania, USA

    Mark R. Katlic

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Armaganijan, L., Healey, J.S. (2011). Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in the Elderly. In: Katlic, M. (eds) Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Elderly. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0892-6_35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0892-6_35

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