Permanent pacing in the elderly.

A total of 89 patients, age 80 years or older at the time of initial permanent pacemaker implantation, were followed for 10 to 128 months [mean 32.7]. There were 54 males and 35 females. The mean age was 84.8 years. There were 51 patients age 80-84, 25 age 85-89, and 13 age 90-94. The actuarial 5-year survival was 45%. Complications occurred in 23 patients [40 episodes]. To date, 41 patients have already required at least one pulse generator replacement and 2 patients have already required 5 replacements. All but 3 patients were symptomatic prior to pacing and 56 were asymptomatic at last follow-up. Permanent pacing in the elderly is therapeutically rewarding and not associated with excess morbidity.