Rate stabilization by right ventricular pacing in patients with atrial fibrillation

A recent study of de Jongste has demonstrated the lengthening of short R-R intervals in patients with atrial fibrillation by right ventricular pacing. We have further analyzed the data from this study and specifically looked at the effect of right ventricular pacing on the R-R interval instability and heart rate. At the cost of only a slight increase in mean heart rate, a major reduction of the R-R interval instability can be obtained by right ventricular pacing. Based on these findings, we have developed and evaluated an automatic pacing rate algorithm, which continuously varies the stimulation rate in order to stabilize the otherwise irregular rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation.