Implantation of pacemaker and defibrillator
Updated
Number of procedures for the implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators per 1,000 inhabitants
The number of procedures has increased by 22% over the period, from 4,300 in 2016 to 5,250 in 2024. At the same time, the rate per 1,000 inhabitants remained stable during this period. The increase in the number of procedures can therefore largely be attributed to an ageing population. For example, the number of inhabitants aged 70–79 has increased by 37%. Male patients accounted for approximately 66% of procedures in 2024. The average age for pacemaker or defibrillator implantation was 75 years in 2024.
There is considerable geographical variation in the number of procedures. Catchment areas with the highest rates performing nearly twice as many procedures per 1,000 inhabitants compared to the areas with the lowest rates.
The catchment areas for Nord-Trøndelag, St. Olav, Førde, UNN, Finnmark, and Innlandet HF consistently have low rates, while the catchment areas for OUS and Lovisenberg HF consistently have high rates.
Nationwide in 2024, nearly 75% of procedures were standard pacemakers, 14% were biventricular pacemakers (CRT), and nearly 12% were implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). While the national rate for standard pacemakers has remained stable over the period, the rate for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) has declined, and the rate for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has increased, except for a decrease over the past two years.
The analysis is based on activity data from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR) for somatic specialist healthcare services. The data includes activity in public hospitals. Data from private hospitals providing publicly funded services and contracted specialists are not included, as this treatment is only offered in public hospitals.
The sample consists of procedures with the codes FPK10A, FPK13A, FPK16A, FPK20A, FPK23A, FPK30A, FPK33A, FPK36A, or FPK40A in hospitals.
The analyses distinguish between regular pacemakers, biventricular pacemakers (CRT, cardiac resynchronization therapy) with or without defibrillator function, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). Regular pacemakers are defined by the procedure codes FPK10A, FPK13A, and FPK16A. Biventricular pacemakers (CRT) are defined by the procedure codes FPK20A, FPK23A, FPK36A, and FPK40A. Defibrillators (ICD) are defined by the procedure codes FPK30A and FPK33A.
Replacement and removal of pacemakers, batteries, or electrodes are not included in this analysis.
Where the patient is treated is divided into two categories:
Own HF, treated at one of the hospitals in the catchment area Other HF, treated at a hospital outside the catchment area
To compare catchment areas and between years, the rates are adjusted for gender and age. The adjustment is made using the direct method with the country's population in 2023 as the reference population.
SKDE is solely responsible for the interpretation and presentation of the data provided by NPR. FHI/NPR is not responsible for analyses or interpretations based on the data.
All of the data used in the charts for this analysis can be downloaded as a CSV file.