Medium term survival in patients over ninety years-old undergoing pacemaker implantation

Background

According to the Italian National Statistical Institute, the 12-month probability of survival in the general population between 90 and 94 years-old is 26%. Pacemaker (PM) implantation is often an urgent and necessary intervention, but in these patients the benefit in terms of quality and duration of life is unclear.

Purpose

To analyze characteristics, outcome and factors associated with survival in patients who had turned 90 at the time of PM implant.

Methods

All the PM implants performed in patients ≥90 from 1/1/2019 to 12/31/2020 were analyzed. Clinical parameters, device characteristics and follow-up data were extrapolated from the SuitEstensa Ebit reporting system; the exitus was verified by analyzing data from the Regional Health System.

Results

During the study interval, among the 554 patients undergoing PM implantation in our Center, 69 (12%) were ≥90 years-old (mean age 92±2 years, 46% male; complete/advanced AV block in 76%). Twenty-six (38%) patients had history of atrial fibrillation and 19 (28%) ischemic heart disease. A cardiological co-morbidity (excluding AF) was present in 23 patients (33%). Oncological, pneumological and neurological comorbidities were present in 12 (18%), 19 (28%) and 32 (46%) respectively. Renal impairment was present in 25 patients (36%). In 47 patients (68%) there were at least 2 co-morbidities. After implantation (single-chamber in 36, dual-chamber in 25 and VDD single-lead dual-chamber in 8 patients) complications occurred in 3 patients (2 pneumothorax and 1 lead dislodgment). Remote monitoring was activated in 57 patients (83%).

Within August 31st 2021 (mean follow-up 288±193 days) 24 patients died (35%, 219±241 days after implant). Five patients (19% of patients implanted in 2019) died within 12 months. No patients died for device malfunction. Three patients died because of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Renal dysfunction (Hazard Ratio-HR 8.05, p=0.002) and the presence of 2 or more co-morbidities (HR 6.03; p=0.015) were associated with a higher risk of death at univariate analysis; other significant variables were diabetes (HR 2.34; p=0.038), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HR 0.70 for 5% variation; p=0.005), walking impairment (HR 2.99, p=0.006), the presence of oncological (HR 2.21; p=0.003), pneumological (HR 2.55; p=0.024) and neurological (HR 1.90, p=0.007) comorbidities. At multivariable analysis the only significant parameter associated with survival was LVEF (0.76 for 5% difference; p=0.043)

Conclusions

At our Center, patients ≥90 years-old undergo PM implantation mainly for advanced AVB. The good survival in the medium term, even better than expected in the general population, does not justify a too conservative attitude especially, but exclusively, in patients with less comorbidities.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.