The prevalence of falls in older persons paced for atrioventricular block and sick sinus syndrome.

Falls are a major health priority. Eight percent of persons over age 70 present to emergency departments each year due to a fall; fall-related injuries account for 6% of all medical expenditures for persons age 65 and older in the United States. Pacing reduces falls by 70% in patients with cardioinhibitory carotid sinus hypersensitivity. The prevalence of falls in other bradyarrhythmic disorders is not known. The purpose of the following study was to compare the prevalence of falls in older adults with atrioventricular block and sick sinus syndrome with case controls. Consecutive subjects who had pacemakers implanted for atrioventricular block and sick sinus syndrome were assessed. Age and gender-matched admissions to the coronary care unit were similarly studied. Eighty-one subjects were included in the study, 31 paced and 50 controls. There were 134 falls in the bradyarrhythmic group and 12 in the control group. The authors conclude that this is the first series that clearly shows a significant association between atrioventricular block, sick sinus syndrome, and falls. Further prospective studies are needed to substantiate these results.