Permanent cardiac pacing through the subclavian vein

Abstract
A technique for the insertion of an intracardiac electrode through the subclavian vein and implanting the generator in the axilla for permanent endocardia1 pacing is described in 30 patients. Provided that adequate precautions are taken and the procedure is carried out by experienced personnel, complications are uncommon. The generator is implanted after the pacing threshold has been found to be satisfactorily stable. Drainage is not used and routine antibiotics are not given to any patient unless secondary infection of the wound complicates the procedure. Advantages of this technique over the other conventional methods are described.