Stability of the DDD pacing mode in patients 80 years of age and older.

We reviewed the records of 119 consecutive patients aged 80 years or older (mean age 84 +/- 3.7 years) in whom a dual chamber pacemaker was implanted between 1984 and 1991. Follow-up data was available up to February 1993. Immediate postimplantation complications were rare. Nine patients were lost to follow-up, all within 6 months of implantation. An additional seven patients died within 6 months of implantation. Long-term follow up for at least 6 months from implantation was available for 103 of the 119 patients (87%). Of these 89 (86%) remained in functioning DDD mode for a mean of 22 +/- 15 months from implantation. Nine patients were reprogrammed to VVI mode, six due to atrial fibrillation and three due to failure of atrial sensing or pacing. One patient was programmed DVI for failure of atrial sensing; 94 of 112 patients (84%) whose status was definitely known in February 1993 remained in functioning DDD mode until death or last follow-up. Cumulative survival in DDD mode was 78% at 30 months. We conclude that DDD pacing is stable in the great majority of patients in their ninth and tenth decades who present with rhythms amenable to dual chamber pacing and who have no history of sustained atrial fibrillation.