"Planned" permanent pacemaker implantation in one-day-old newborn after prenatal diagnosis of congenital complete atrioventricular heart block

Abstract

We present a case of a severely ill newborn with congenital atrioventricular heart block (CAVB) diagnosed prenatally. The initial drug therapy just after birth was ineffective, the heart rhythm remained 54 beats per minute, and control echocardiographies showed forthcoming decrease of the left ventricular function with mitral insufficiency. A permanent pacing system with bipolar electrodes eluting two steroids (Medtronic Capsule, Medtronic Inc. Minneapolis, USA) and Medtronic ADAPTA® pulse generator (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, USA) was implanted on the first day of life. The pace control as well as wound healing were uncomplicated, and the baby was discharged home without additional medication. The procedure of permanent pacemaker implantation on the first day of life was safe and effective, as a benefit from a successfully performed prenatal program in our cooperating institutions.