Objective  To investigate the effect of self-made pressure-wrapped airbag vest on complications and nursing comfort level in elderly patients after pacemaker implantation.

  Methods  A total of 100 elderly patients received permanent pacemaker implantation for the first time were selected as study objects and randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 50 cases in each group. The control group was given sandbag and elastic bandage compression method, and the observation group was treated with self-made pressure-wrapped airbag vest. The score of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 8 h after intervention, the incidence rates of sac hematoma, subcutaneous blood stasis, limb swelling and compression bag displacement, the incidence rates of electrode displacement, skin blister or infection at 24 h after operation, the first time to bed-off activity, constipation, low back pain and score of comfort scale were compared between the two groups.

  Results  The VAS score and incidence rates of sac hematoma, subcutaneous blood stasis, limb swelling and compression bag displacement in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence rate of skin blister or infection, the first time to bed-off activity and incidence rates of constipation and low back pain in the observation group were significantly lower and shorter than those in the control group, while the score of comfort scale was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Compared with sandbag and elastic bandage compression method, airbag vest can reduce the pain of elderly patients after pacemaker implantation, reduce a variety of complications, promote early bed-off activities and increase nursing comfort level.