Abstract
Dear Editor, Cardiovascular diseases have contributed to mortality rate worldwideincluding low to middle-incomecountries.1 According to a study conducted in Karachi,6% of cardiovascular patients havearrhythmias, withcomplete heart blockage present in 33% of patients admittedin hospitals.2An integrated approach to the managementof arrhythmias,beside medications includes a wide range of device-based therapies like implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), implantablemonitors, ventricular assist devices (VADs).The practice of refurbishment of cardiac pacemakers’ dates back to 1979.3 Since then,there has been growing evidence that reused heart pacemakers are beneficial and cost effective.In South Asia,India hassuccessfullyreported reused Cardioverter-Defibrillators having 3 or more years of viable life, safe and effective after proper sterilization techniqueswith minimum complications observed.4However, infection is considered most dread impediment, a meta-analysis shows that reuse of pacemakers is associated with infection rateof 1.97% and device malfunction rate of 0.68%.
Maria Shoaib, , Zobia Aijaz, , Syed Ahsanuddin Ahmed. (2016) USE OF REFURBISHED PACEMAKERS: NEED OF ADEVELOPING COUNTRY, JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE ABBOTTABAD, Volume 28, Issue 1.
-
Views
489 -
Downloads
37
Article Details
Volume
Issue
Type
Language
