The cardiac pacemaker patient with a femoral neck fracture.

More than half the patients with permanent cardiac pacemakers (PCPMs) are over the age of 70 years. Patients in this age group are also more susceptible to fractures of the femoral neck requiring surgical intervention. The authors studied five patients with PCPMs who underwent surgery for femoral neck fracture. They discuss the special precautions necessary during surgery to prevent electromagnetic interference with the cardiac pacemaker as well as the special management of these patients.