PREDICTION AND PREVENTION OF SYNCOPES AND SUDDEN-DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH COMPLETE ATRIOVENTRICULAR-BLOCK IN FAILURE OF PERMANENT CARDIAC PACING

A total of 105 patients with implantable pacemakers were examined. Whe ther the pacemaker disconnection test can be used to predict syncopes in failure of permanent cardiac pacing was studied. The spontaneous ve ntricular activity was evaluated in 62 patients with acquired complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) and in 43 patients with artificial CAVB . The patients with varying pacemaker dependence were grouped. It was ascertained that 7 % of patients with artificial CAVB and 19 % of thos e with acquired CAVB were dependent on pacemakers. In possible failure of stimulation or in reimplantation of a pacemaker on its disconnecti on, 93 % of patients with artificial CAVB and 81 % with acquired CAVB could develop their own cardiac rhythm. Lowering the frequency of paci ng enabled the duration of asystole to be decreased. The usage of isad rin was demonstrated to enhance spontaneous ventricular activity.