Putting Used Pacemakers to Work

Pacemaker reuse may be a safe, effective and ethical alternative to address medical needs of people in Third World countries who are otherwise unable to afford therapy.

In a new study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan teamed up to examine pacemaker reuse compared with a control population of new device implantation in studies from January 1, 1975 to July 1, 2009. They assessed complication rates, risk of infection, physiological complications and device malfunction.

In four trials involving 603 patients, they found new pacemaker implantation was associated with a 4 percent decrease in overall complications compared to use of previously implanted devices. This finding, however, was not statistically significant.

The researchers found no increased risk of infection, physiological complications or device malfunction. There were no device-related deaths among those who received new or reused pacemakers. The researchers were able to conclude that pacemaker reuse may be one way to lessen the inequality of healthcare between rich and poor countries and to provide wider access to effective treatment for heart ailments.

SOURCE: Presented at the American Heart Association 2010 Scientific Sessions, Washington, D.C., May 20, 2010