Temporary pacemaking by general internists.

The medical records of 126 patients requiring 129 temporary pacemakers were viewed retrospectively. The pacemakers were inserted by general internists using venous access from subclavian and internal jugular veins under ECG guidances. Fluoroscopy was not used. There was 14% incidence of pacemaker electrode malfunction and a 4% risk of complication with no pacemaker-related mortality. These results compare favorably with reports from university cardiology services. Temporary pacemakers can be safely inserted by general internists without fluoroscopy.