Temporary Pacemakers Related Adverse Events
The different complications related to pacing are found in Table 4, Figure 2 . In our study population, complications were encountered more frequently in the BTTP group. Venous thromboembolism events were encountered in zero patients with TPPM compared to 4 (6.3%) in the BTTP group (P=0.042). Lead dislodgment/loss of capture occurred in 7.9% and 22.2% of patients with TPPM and BTTP, respectively (P=0.025). No patients in both groups developed tamponade as a complication of pacemaker insertion. In total, 4 patients who initially had a BTTP placed were later switched to a TPPM because of lead dislodgment. No patients were switched from a TPPM to a BTTP. Local (access site) hematoma and infection were only encountered in BTTP group, in 3.2% and 1.5% of the patients respectively. No Pneumothorax or hemothorax were found after the procedure in either group. Serious cardiovascular events happened in one patient (1.5%) with a TPPM, compared to 6 (9.5%) with BTTP (P=0.075).
The Odds Ratio of developing any of the studied adverse events for the TPPM group compared to the BTTP group was 0.23 [95% CI (0.10-0.67), P<0.001]. This association remained consistent after adjusting for: age, gender, and temporary pacemaker indication [OR= 0.24, 95% CI (0.07-0.91), P=0.030].
In the TPPM group, we compared the incidence of pacemaker related adverse events for the subgroups of those who were monitored exclusively outside the ICU setting, exclusively within the ICU setting, and those who required pacing both in ICU and outside of ICU setting. There was no significant difference in the pacemaker related adverse events between those subgroups (Table 5).