Features of general surgical operations in patients with implanted pacemakers

The operation of an implanted pacemaker was evaluated in 99 patients aged 62.4 ± 9.6 years during non-cardiac operations. Electrocoagulation (EC) caused inhibited EC stimuli in 9 (9.1%) patients, short-term episodes of ineffective stimulation with impaired synchronization in 2 (2%), and an altered stimulation regimen in 2 (2%). The abnormalities were short-term and depended on EC duration. Four patients were found to have EC-unassociated episodes of myopotential inhibition. The revealed abnormalities require meticulous patient examination prior to surgery, intraoperative ECG monitoring, and time-limited use of monopolar EC.