Study on Unguided Temporary Pacing Via the Jugular Vein at the Mohamed VI University Hospital of Marrakech: Safety, Effectiveness and Practicability

Abstract

This study evaluates the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of unguided temporary pacemaker insertion in 348 patients at the Mohamed VI University Hospital of Marrakech. The procedure was performed by cardiology residents and showed a high success rate of 99.71%, with successful access to the right internal jugular vein in 89.66% of cases. The majority of patients (66.38%) achieved venous access on the first attempt, with an average procedure time of 11.5 ± 2.1 minutes. Minor complications were observed in 10.63% of patients, including local hematomas (3.45%), accidental arterial punctures (2.30%), pneumothorax (1.15%), and other issues such as local infections and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. No deaths attributable to the procedure were reported. The clinical significance of this study lies in its demonstration that unguided temporary pacemaker insertion is a safe and effective alternative in resource-limited settings, reducing treatment delays and potentially lowering mortality among patients requiring temporary cardiac pacing. Based on these results, it is recommended to encourage clinicians in primary and secondary healthcare settings to adopt this approach to improve access to urgent cardiac care in under-resourced regions.