Related Experiment Videos
Pacemaker utilization during permanent atrial fibrillation in patients who received pacemaker implantation for sinus
Huagui Li1, Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, Hema Korlakunta
1The Cardiac Center of Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. hli@cardiac.creighton.edu
The American Journal of Cardiology
|September 29, 2005
Summary
Many patients with pacemakers and sinus node dysfunction develop atrial fibrillation (AF). This study suggests that some patients with permanent AF may not need continued pacemaker therapy if they maintain a stable intrinsic heart rate.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Patients with sinus node dysfunction often require pacemakers.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common comorbidity in pacemaker patients.
- The necessity of ongoing pacemaker support after conversion to permanent AF is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the need for continued pacemaker therapy in patients with sinus node dysfunction who develop permanent atrial fibrillation.
- To assess the intrinsic ventricular rate and pacemaker usage in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 174 patients with pacemakers implanted for sinus node dysfunction.
- Assessment of intrinsic ventricular rate (>60 beats/min) after conversion to permanent AF.
- Review of pacemaker memory to determine ventricular pacing utilization.
Main Results:
- 38% of patients (n=62) maintained a minimum intrinsic ventricular rate >60 beats/min after developing permanent AF.
- 18% of patients (30 individuals) never utilized ventricular pacing during permanent AF.
- A significant proportion of patients demonstrated sufficient intrinsic cardiac electrical activity.
Conclusions:
- Continued pacemaker therapy may not be necessary for all patients with sinus node dysfunction and permanent AF.
- Serial assessment of intrinsic ventricular rate is crucial for determining pacemaker dependency.
- Pacemaker deactivation should be considered in patients with stable intrinsic rates during permanent AF.