SURGICAL PACEMAKER INSERTION IN CHILDREN-QUEEN ALIA HEART INSTITUTE EXPERIENCE

Aim: to study the indications for insertion of surgical pacemaker in children with its demographic variables Methods: a retrospective study of all medical notes of cases that needed surgical pacemaker insertion in children between January 2015 and January 2017. Age at insertion of pacemaker, sex, indication of pacemaker insertion, morbidity and mortality related to pacemaker insertion and associated congenital heart or systemic diseases were recorded. Results: we found 32 patients in the study period.14 male patients and 18 female patients. Age range was 1 month to 22 years. The most common indication for pacemaker insertion was post-surgical in 18 cases followed by congenital complete heart block in 14 cases. Of the congenital complete heart block form, 6 cases were associated with other structural heart diseases while 8 cases were not and 3 of those were born to SLE mothers. The most post-surgical cause was VSD closure or repair of AVC in 9 cases (26%). No morbidities or mortalities were recorded related to pacemaker insertion. Conclusion: the most common indication for epicardial pacemaker insertion was post surgery for r structural heart disease especially ASD or VSD closure. Congenital heart block is the 2nd most common cause with and without associated intra cardiac defects.