OBJECTIVE: Health-related quality of life in patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy and complete atrioventricular block at elective pulse generator replacement: effects of pacing mode upgraded from VVI to DDD. METHOD: From September 8, 2001 to March 18, 2004, at the Instituto do Coração da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo and Hospital de Beneficência Portuguesa de Ribeirão Preto, a total of 27 patients with chronic Chagas' cardiopathy, complete atrioventricular block and implanted ventricular pacemaker were upgraded to a dual-chamber pacing mode. At the beginning of the study and after 90-days periods under each pacing modes, the patients' quality of life was evaluated. Statistical analysis was made at basal, VVI and DDD conditions using the analysis of repetitive measures. RESULTS: No significant differences in the health-related quality of life, across the three studied variables (physical function, vitality and general health), were detected after the change of pacing mode from VVI to DDD. There were three cases of complications related to pacing mode upgrade: two cases of atrial tachycardia triggered to ventricles through DDD pacemaker and one atrial lead displacement. CONCLUSIONS: No benefits no quality of life were detected after the change of pacing mode VVI to DDD during elective replacement of pulse generator, in patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy and complete AV block
Chagas' cardiomyopathy; Heart block; Pacemaker, artificial; Cardiac pacing, artificial; Quality of life
