Transvenous and transcutaneous cardiac pacing

Treatment of symptomatic bradycardia

• Sinus bradycardia

• Second-degree or third-degree atrioventricular block

Prophylaxis

• Bradycardia-induced ventricular tachyarrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes)

• Increased risk of advanced atrioventricular block (e.g., acute myocardial infarction, infective endocarditis, surgery in patients with underlying conduction defects)

Overdrive pacing for termination of tachyarrhythmias

• Supraventricular tachycardia

• Ventricular tachycardia

Improving hemodynamic function

• Sequential atrioventricular pacing

Specific advance directives (e.g., do not attempt resuscitation for cases of pulseless electrical activity)

Asymptomatic bradycardia

Severe hypothermia (risk of ventricular fibrillation)