Jm. Herre et al., Cardiac pacemakers in the transplanted heart: short term with the biatrialanastomosis and unnecessary with the bicaval anastomosis, CURR OPIN C, 15(2), 2000, pp. 115-120
Sinus node dysfunction occurs commonly after orthotopic heart transplantati
on and may be caused by surgical trauma, ischemia to the sinus node, reject
ion, drug therapy, and increasing donor age. In the past, using the standar
d biatrial technique described originally by Lower and Shumway, many series
have reported permanent pacing in more than 10% of patients. Unlike sinus
node dysfunction in nontransplanted patients, which typically worsens with
time, sinus node dysfunction in the transplanted heart usually improves ove
r a period of weeks to months. Delaying the implantation of a permanent pac
emaker may render it unnecessary. The development of the bicaval technique
for implantation of the donor heart appears to have decreased even further
or even eliminated the need for early permanent pacing. Because sinus node
dysfunction in the transplanted heart does not predict subsequent developme
nt of atrioventricular (AV) node dysfunction, rate-responsive atrial pacing
should be used in the majority of cases. Even after appropriate pacing for
sinus node dysfunction, the sinus node may recover and permanent pacing ma
y be discontinued. AV conduction abnormalities are far less common and gene
rally occur late after transplantation. Dual-chamber pacing is required and
permanent pacing should be continued indefinitely. (C) 2000 Lippincott Wil
liams & Wilkins, Inc.