TRANSCUTANEOUS CARDIAC PACING IN CARDIAC EMERGENCIES - ANALYSIS OF EFFICACY AND LIMITATIONS

Introduction Transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP) has become an accepte d therapeutic tool in cardiac emergencies. Some studies have shown tha t TCP is electrically and haemodynamically effective in a significant proportion of patients but little is known about clinical factors infl uencing effectiveness of TCP in acute bradyarrhythmias. The present st udy addressed this issue. The study group consisted of 43 consecutive patients treated for bradyarrhythmias, Conclusions 1. Transcutaneous c ardiac pacing is not effective in resuscitation. 2. Transcutaneous car diac pacing is effective in peri-arrest conduction disturbances in con scious patients. 3. Consciousness and asystole at the onset of transcu taneous cardiac pacing are independent predictors of outcome.