Comparation of quality of life in Chinese patients undergoing leadless versus conventional pacemaker implantation

Abstract

Background Leadless pacemakers are widely used, but the quality of life assessment of patients with leadless pacemakers is still unclear. Hypothesis Assume that leadless pacemakers can improve the patients' quality of life. Methods Total of 119 patients who received pacemaker implantation at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2020 to March 2022 were selected, including 35 leadless pacemakers and 84 conventional pacemakers. The SF‐36 questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life at baseline, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. We also used a questionnaire consisted of 4 specific questions related to the implant procedure to assess the surgery. Results There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups, except for age and oral anticoagulant treatment. There was no difference in baseline SF‐36 scores. At the 3‐month follow‐up, patients in leadless pacemakers group were significantly better at physical function (63.63 vs 47.50, p = .000), role physical (60.20 vs 40.23, p = .000), bodily pain (65.57 vs. 61.69, p = .042), physical component summary (61.25 vs. 50.57, p = .000), vitality (56.26 vs 49.57, p = .001), social function (80.14 vs 74.70, p = .004), role emotional (76.14 vs. 71.42, p = .015), mental health (75.46 vs. 68.18, p = .000), mental component summary (72.00 vs. 65.97, p = .000), even after adjusting for clinical baseline and SF‐36 baseline. Pacemaker‐related discomfort and mobility limitations were significantly reduced in leadless pacemakers group. Conclusions Leadless pacemakers is associated with better quality of life with less activity limitations due to surgical discomfort and less emotional distress. However, current use of leadless pacemakers in China is limited due to the high cost.

Optimal device selection: Leadless versus conventional transvenous pacemakers

“…The types of surgery‐related complications are unclear. In their study, the incidence of surgery‐related complications following conventional pacemaker implantation is 21%, 1 which is relatively higher than the other previous studies. For example, Tjong and colleagues reported 4.7% of device‐related complications following conventional intra‐venous pacemaker implantation and 0.9% following leadless pacemaker implantation.…”

“…Yu and colleagues compared the impact on patients' quality of life between leadless pacemakers and conventional transvenous pacemakers. 1 They found that leadless pacemakers were associated with a greater quality of life with fewer activity limitations due to surgical discomfort and less emotional distress. Several concerns have been raised.…”