[The Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Registry of the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing--Annual report 2014].

Background: The pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) Registry of the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC) monitors the main epidemiological data in real-world practice. The survey for the 2014 activity collects information about demographics, clinical characteristics, main indications for PM/ICD therapy and device types from the Italian collaborating centers.

Methods: The Registry collects prospectively national PM and ICD implantation activity on the basis of European cards.

Results: PM Registry: data about 24 680 PM implantations were collected (19 480 first implant and 5200 replacements). The number of collaborating centers was 208. Median age of treated patients was 81 years (75 quartile I; 86 quartile III). ECG indications included atrioventricular conduction disorders in 45.3% of first PM implants, sick sinus syndrome in 23.1%, atrial fibrillation plus bradycardia in 11.7%, other in 19.9%. Among atrioventricular conduction defects, third-degree atrioventricular block was the most common type (22.7% of first implants). Use of single-chamber PMs was reported in 26.9% of first implants, of dual-chamber PMs in 63.6%, of PMs with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in 1.7%, and of single lead atrial-synchronized ventricular stimulation (VDD/R PMs) in 7.8%. ICD Registry: data about 17 116 ICD implantations were collected (11 274 first implants and 5842 replacements). The number of collaborating centers was 424. Median age of treated patients was 71 years (62 quartile I; 77 quartile III). Primary prevention indication was reported in 72.3% of first implants, secondary prevention in 27.7% (cardiac arrest in 10.1%). A single-chamber ICD was used in 32.2% of first implants, dual-chamber in 37.1% and biventricular in 30.7%.

Conclusions: The PM and ICD Registry appears fundamental for monitoring PM and ICD utilization on a large national scale with rigorous examination of demographics and clinical indications. The PM Registry showed stable electrocardiographic and symptom indications, with an important prevalence of dual-chamber pacing. The use of CRT-PM regards a very limited number of patients. The ICD Registry documented a large use of prophylactic and biventricular ICD, reflecting a favorable adherence to trials and guidelines in clinical practice.