Post-operative cardiac implantable electronic devices in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a contemporary experience

Abstract Aims Optimum timing of pacemaker implantation following cardiac surgery is a clinical challenge. European and American guidelines recommend observation, to assess recovery of atrioventricular block (AVB) (up to 7 days) and sinus node (5 days to weeks) after cardiac surgery. This study aims to determine rates of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) implants post-surgery at a high-volume tertiary centre over 3 years. Implant timing, patient characteristics and outcomes at 6 months including pacemaker utilization were assessed. Methods and results All cardiac operations (n = 5950) were screened for CIED implantation following surgery, during the same admission, from 2015 to 2018. Data collection included patient, operative, and device characteristics; pacing utilization and complications at 6 months. A total of 250 (4.2%) implants occurred; 232 (3.9%) for bradycardia. Advanced age, infective endocarditis, left ventricle systolic impairment, and valve surgery were independent predictors for CIED implants (P