Use of single lead VDD pacing in children.

The development of transvenous ventricular pacing leads with proximal electrodes capable of atrial sensing and the recent availability of smaller generators has created the opportunity to treat children with complete AV block and normal sinus node function with a transvenous single lead VDD pacing system. Studies in adults have demonstrated this system to be efficacious with low complication rates. Transvenous single lead VDD pacemakers were implanted in ten children, aged 5-15 years, between December 1993 and April 1996, in our institution.

Atropine Sulfate Premedication and Cardiac Arrhythmia in Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

Prophylactic effects of atropine sulfate as a premedication for cardiac arrhythmia were studied in 44 patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy in a randomized, cross-over, double-blind design. Cardiac rhythms were recorded with Holter monitors during atropine sulfate and placebo treatments. Vagal arrhythmia seemed to be reduced with atropine sulfate premedication, but the frequency of ventricular arrhythmia was not affected.