Skip Navigation

European Heart Journal 1992 13(7):908-913;
Copyright © 1992 by the European Society of Cardiology.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by LAU, C.-P.
Right arrow Articles by CHUNG, F. L. W.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by LAU, C.-P.
Right arrow Articles by CHUNG, F. L. W.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1992 The European Society of Cardiology

Ventricular rate-adaptive pacing in the elderly

C.-P. LAU, C. K. WONG, Y. T. TAI, P. C. FONG, J. P.-S. LI and F. L. W. CHUNG

Division of Cardiology, University Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong

Received 21 August 1991; revised 11 November 1991; .

Correspondence- Dr C P. Lau, Senior Lecturer in Cardiology, Division of Cardiology, University Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong.

Abstract

The role of ventricular rate-adaptive pacing ( VVIR) in the elderly was investigated in 12 patients with a mean age of 85 ± 2 years (range 75–95 years) with implanted activity-initiated VVIR pacemakers. Although four patients had significant extracardiac diseases, all were capable of independent walking and self care. The pacing rate achieved during structured daily activities (walking, climbing stairs, washing, bed-making and scrubbing floors) were compared with those achieved by 10 age-matched healthy subjects. Apart from the more strenuous activities (ascending stairs and floor-scrubbing), the pacing rates achieved by the patients were comparable to those of the healthy subjects and occurred within an appropriate time. In a 4-weekly randomized, double-blind crossover protocol in the VVI and VVIR pacing modes, all patients underwent assessments in a 12-min walking distance test, a 24 h non-invasive ambulatory blood pressure recording and a symptomatic documentation. During VVIR pacing, the 12-min walking distance was significantly improved compared to VVI pacing (556 ± 52 vs. 545 ±55 m, P< 0.05). There was no difference between the recorded blood pressure and symptom scores between the two pacing modes, although most patients preferred VVIR pacing (P< 0.05). It is concluded that VVIR pacing in this elderly population can improve exercise capacity, and the patients' preference for the VVIR mode was documented despite the absence of a measurable difference in symptomatology.

Key Words: Geriatric • rate-responsive pacing


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.