Aim: A pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) survey was undertaken in Australia (Au) and New Zealand (NZ) for calendar year 2001.
Results and conclusions: Compared to the 1997 survey, significant increases in implantation numbers were recorded. For 2001, the total new PMs implanted was 9498 Au (6405 in 1997) and 914 NZ (823 in 1997). The number of new PM implants per million population was 486 Au (345 in 1997) and 245 NZ (228 in 1997). There were also significant increases in PM replacements between surveys with 1536 in Au (735 in 1997) and 195 in NZ (126 in 1997). Dual chamber implants were 71% Au (65% in 1997) and 56% NZ (55% in 1997). Pacing leads were overwhelmingly transvenous and bipolar with an increase in the use of active fixation leads in preference to tined leads, particularly in the atrium. There was a marked increase in the use of ICDs. The implants were 956 Au (449 in 1997) and 86 NZ (31 in 1997) with new implants per million population being 49 Au and 23 NZ. A breakdown of data for the six Au States and well as comparisons of similar surveys from other countries is presented.