Background: A pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) survey was undertaken in Australia (Au) and New Zealand (NZ) for 2005.
Results and conclusions: Compared to the 2001 survey, significant increases in implantation numbers were recorded. For 2005, the total new PMs implanted was 11,850 in Au (9498 in 2001) and 1134 in NZ (914 in 2001). The number of new PM implants per million population was 590 in Au (486 in 2001) and 275 in NZ (245 in 2001). Biventricular PMs were documented for the first time with 461 implants in Au and 16 in NZ. Pulse generator types were predominantly dual chamber with 73% in Au (70% in 2001) and 51% in NZ (54% in 2001). Pacing leads were overwhelmingly transvenous and bipolar with an increase in the use of active fixation leads in preference to tined leads. There was a marked increase in the use of ICDs with 2864 new implants in Au (956 in 2001) and 134 in NZ (86 in 2001). The new ICD implants per million population were 142 in Au (49 in 2001) and 33 in NZ (23 in 2001). ICDs were 35% biventricular in Au and 10% in NZ. The Au Northern Territory is included for the first time.