[Temporary epicardial pacing following cardiac surgery: practical aspects].

OBJECTIVES

To review the practical aspects of temporary epicardial pacing following open heart surgery.

METHODS

Review of articles published in English or French within the last five years and investigating temporary epicardial pacing (indications, pacing modes, epicardial wires and temporary generators). The studies were extracted from the databases ScienceDirect and Pubmed.

RESULTS

Temporary epicardial pacing is used to treat severe conduction and/or rhythm disorders, but also to improve hemodynamics by optimizing selected temporary pacing settings. Temporary epicardial pacing consists in choosing the most suitable pacing mode according to the situation (surgery, patient, conduction and/or rhythm abnormalities) and setting its parameters that ensure : i) optimal pacemaker functioning; ii) epicardial electrodes longevity; iii) the most favorable hemodynamic profiles. Management of temporary pacing settings and their regular adjustment, at least daily and based on thresholds, are part of good clinical practices. Nevertheless, the French literature lacks official recommendations for temporary epicardial pacing.

CONCLUSION

Temporary epicardial pacing following cardiac surgery is a simple method, more effective than transcutaneous pacing and easier to implement than transvenous pacing. Its practical management should be known by all physicians (anesthetists, cardiac surgeons) as well as paramedical personnel in order to avoid the risks of suboptimal functioning. A good practice protocol is proposed at the end of the manuscript.