Pacemaker diagnostics to determine treatment and outcome in sick sinus syndrome with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: September 24, 2021
Andrew J Marshall1, Antony Nash, Paul A R Owen
1Department of Cardiology, The South West Cardiothoracic Centre, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Sequential analysis of pacemaker diagnostics has been used to help manage the treatment and pacemaker program in patients who have sick sinus syndrome with documented paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. One hundred consecutive patients were followed for an average of 18 months. Knowledge of the atrial fibrillation burden led to major changes in medical management for half of the patients and changes to pacemaker programming for all. At the end of the study, 48 patients were free of arrhythmia with pacing although 14 required antiarrhythmic medication. We advocate using pacemaker diagnostics to improve patient management.
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