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Reproducibility of response to programmed atrial stimulation
B Brembilla-Perrot1, P Houriez, O Claudon
1Department of Cardiology, CHU of Brabois, Nancy, France.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|March 10, 2000
Summary
Programmed atrial stimulation (PAS) reliably induces atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs) in patients with known conditions. However, its reproducibility is low in patients without spontaneous ATAs, requiring cautious interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Electrophysiology
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
Background:
- Atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs) require accurate diagnosis for effective treatment.
- Programmed atrial stimulation (PAS) is used to induce ATAs for guiding therapy.
- Reproducibility data for PAS-induced ATAs is currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term reproducibility of programmed atrial stimulation (PAS) for inducing atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs).
Main Methods:
- Two electrophysiological tests were conducted drug-free, 6 months to 3 years apart, in 62 patients.
- Patients were divided into Group I (spontaneous ATAs) and Group II (no spontaneous ATAs).
- PAS involved extrastimuli at various cycle lengths to induce sustained ATAs.
Main Results:
- In Group I, PAS reproducibility was 88% (22/23 sustained ATAs inducible in both tests).
- In Group II, reproducibility was 53% (17 initially inducible, 10 remained inducible; 10/19 non-inducible initially became inducible).
- Sustained ATAs were induced in 47% of Group II patients.
Conclusions:
- Long-term reproducibility of PAS-induced ATAs is good in patients with documented spontaneous ATAs.
- Reproducibility is low in patients without spontaneous ATAs, suggesting cautious interpretation of induced arrhythmias.
- Variability in induced atrial arrhythmias necessitates careful consideration in clinical decision-making.