[Emergency bedside temporary cardiac pacing through the left subclavicular vein guided by pacemaker impulse].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and merits of emergency bedside temporary cardiac pacing through left subclavicular vein guided by pacemaker impulse.

Methods: The left subclavicular vein was punctured with Seldinger technique for insertion of a cannula. After setting the rate of pacemaker at 20 beat/min above the patients' spontaneous heart rate with output current of 5 mA and sensing voltage of 3 mV, the electrode was inserted through the cannula until the electrocardiograph displaying pulsed signal and pacing rhythm.

Results: Good pacing was achieved in 18 patients with one having poor pacing, which was improved 2 h later. The pacing was not satisfactory in two cases. No postoperative complications occurred in the 21 patients.

Conclusion: Emergency bedside temporary cardiac pacing through the left subclavicular vein guided by pacemaker impulse is rapid and ensures high success rate and safety.