Emergency pacing and subsequent permanent pacemaker implantation in a premature infant of 1770 g with a follow-up of 6 years

We report successful emergency pacing followed by permanent pacemaker impla ntation due to complete block in an otherwise healthy premature infant of 1 770 g. Via the umbilical vein a temporary bipolar pacing lead was placed in the right ventricle. The lack of spontaneous improvement warranted implant ation of a permanent pacemaker system at the age of 2 weeks. Via a transatr ial approach an endocardial unipolar screw-in lead was placed in the right ventricle and connected to a pulse generator implanted subcutaneously. Duri ng the follow-up period of 6 years the child has been doing well with his V VI-R pacemaker operating at rates between 80 and 160 pulses/minute at a chr onic stimulation threshold below 0.9 V at 0.37 msec.