STABILITY OF THE DDD PACING MODE IN PATIENTS 80 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER

We reviewed the records of 119 consecutive patients aged 80 years or o lder (mean age 84 +/- 3.7 years) in whom a dual chamber pacemaker was implanted between 1984 and 1991. Follow-up data was available up to Fe bruary 1993. Immediate postimplantation complications were rare. Nine patients were lost to follow-up, all within 6 months of implantation. An additional seven patients died within 6 months of implantation. Lon g-term follow up for at least 6 months from implantation was available for 103 of the 119 patients (87%). Of these 89 (86%) remained in func tioning DDD mode for a mean of 22 +/- 15 months from implantation. Nin e patients were reprogrammed to VVI mode, six due to atrial fibrillati on and three due to failure of atrial sensing or pacing. One patient w as programmed DVI for failure of atrial sensing; 94 of 112 patients (8 4%) whose status was definitely known in February 1993 remained in fun ctioning DDD mode until death or last follow-up. Cumulative survival i n DDD mode was 78% at 30 months. We conclude that DDD pacing is stable in the great majority of patients in their nineth and tenth decades w ho present with rhythms amenable to dual chamber pacing and who have n o history of sustained atrial fibrillation.