Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

33.8K

Nonpharmacological Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: What Is the Role of Device Therapy?

Lucie Riedlbauchová1,2, Václav Durdil1,2, Jakub Honěk1,2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.

The International Journal of Angiology : Official Publication of the International College of Angiology, Inc
|June 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac devices like pacemakers help manage atrial fibrillation (AF) and prevent strokes. These devices also monitor for AF, guiding treatment decisions in patients with arrhythmias.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia with increasing incidence and prevalence.
  • Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are common for managing arrhythmias and heart failure.
  • Patients with CIEDs frequently develop or have coexisting atrial fibrillation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices in treating and preventing atrial fibrillation.
  • To highlight the diagnostic utility of CIEDs as continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors for atrial fibrillation detection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on CIEDs and atrial fibrillation management.
  • Analysis of device data for AF detection and characterization.
  • Evaluation of how CIED-detected AF influences therapeutic strategies, particularly stroke prevention.

Main Results:

  • CIEDs play a significant role in managing atrial fibrillation in recipients.
  • Continuous ECG monitoring by CIEDs detects asymptomatic or subclinical AF episodes.
  • Device-detected AF provides crucial data for optimizing stroke risk assessment and management.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac devices are integral to managing atrial fibrillation in device recipients.
  • The monitoring capabilities of CIEDs enhance the understanding and treatment of atrial fibrillation.
  • Utilizing CIED data can personalize and improve stroke prevention strategies for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Keywords:
AV junctional ablationICDatrial fibrillationcardiac pacingcardiac resynchronizationheart failuresick sinus syndrome

More Related Videos

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

84.2K
Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology10:46

Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology

Published on: May 26, 2015

13.7K

Related Concept Videos

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias01:25

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
305
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
174
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
345
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
2.3K
Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management01:25

Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is when the aortic valve does not close or seal properly, leading to backward blood circulation from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. Common causes of AR include rheumatic heart disease, congenital valve defects, and aortic root dilation. Managing AR requires a multifaceted approach to alleviate symptoms, preserve left ventricular function, and address the underlying cause of the regurgitation. Patients with symptomatic AR or significant left...
267
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers01:24

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which...
1.3K