Clinical profile and outcomes of semi-permanent pacing in a tertiary care institute in southern India.

Background: Semi-permanent pacing (SPP) includes the placement of a permanent lead through the internal jugular vein and connection to a pulse generator on the skin outside the venous access site.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical profile and outcomes of semi-permanent pacing in a tertiary care institute in Southern India.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. All patients admitted and requiring management with semi-permanent pacing from January 2017 to June 2020 were included.

Results: From January 2017 to June 2020, 20 patients underwent semi-permanent pacing (SPP) with a median age of 54 (21-74) years. Males comprised a majority of the patients (55%). Hypertension was noted in 50% of patients and 30% were diabetic. The right internal jugular vein was the most common access in 95% of patients. The most common indication for semi-permanent pacing was pocket site infection in 30% of patients. There were no procedural complications. The median duration on SPP was 7 (5-14) days and the median duration of hospital stay was 13 (8-21) days. Permanent pacemaker implantation was done in 55% of patients. Mortality in our study group was 15% with 10% dying due to cardiogenic shock (post resuscitated cardiac arrest) and 5% dying due to non-cardiac cause (Epidural hematoma).

Conclusion: In our study, semi-permanent pacing was noted to be a safe procedure and was more commonly indicated in emergent conditions with complete heart block secondary to underlying reversible causes and in the management of pocket site infection.