Medicus, Vol. 12 No. 1_ Kardiologija, 2003.
Review article
Cardiac Electrostimulation in the Light of New Guidelines
Davor Puljević
Abstract
Electrostimulation is a very efficient way of
bradyarrhythmia and malignant tachyarrhythmia therapy. At
the beginning, pacing was indicated only for the patient’s life
protection. Along with the development of technology, indications
have been expanded to the improvement of life quality.
Indications for cardioverter-defibrillator implantation are also
expanded from secondary to primary prevention of sudden
death. Today, pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators are
very sophisticated devices with a large number of programmable
parameters, by which they can be well adjusted to the
patient’s needs. At the same time, it presents a very expensive
way of therapy, but without the equivalent alternative.
Depending on type, the price of a cardioverter-defibrillator is
15000-30000 Euros. Thus, the rational application and good
knowledge of characteristics, indications and possible
adverse reactions of therapy are indispensable. In the article
are described technical data, principles and modes of therapy,
indications and frequent practical problems. Indications
are certain if there is a general agreement based on the evidence
that therapy is efficient, but probable if there is divergence
of opinions about the indication. Some other possible
indications are stated in various guidelines. But, because
their usefulness or efficacy at this moment is not sufficiently
documented, they are not stated in tables here. The described
indications are still only recommendations, and definite decision
is based on the individual patient’s condition.
Keywords
electrostimulation; cardioverter-defibrillators; Guidelines
Hrčak ID:
20527
URI
Publication date:
27.1.2003.
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