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Published on: December 11, 2017
Long-term ventricular pacing in treatment of sinoatrial block
Insights
Ventricular cardiac pacing effectively relieved symptoms in six patients with sinoatrial block unresponsive to medications like isoprenaline or ephedrine. This pacing method offered long-term survival benefits despite theoretical concerns.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Sinoatrial block can cause significant symptoms.
- Pharmacological treatments like isoprenaline and ephedrine are often used but may be ineffective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of ventricular cardiac pacing in patients with sinoatrial block unresponsive to medical management.
Main Methods:
- Six patients with sinoatrial block and symptoms were identified.
- Patients received treatment via ventricular cardiac pacing.
Main Results:
- Pharmacological treatments (isoprenaline, ephedrine) provided no relief.
- Ventricular cardiac pacing resulted in complete symptom relief for all six patients.
- Patients experienced long-term survival, ranging from 18 months to over five years.
Conclusions:
- Ventricular cardiac pacing is an effective treatment for sinoatrial block when pharmacological options fail.
- Long-term survival is achievable with ventricular pacing, even with theoretical drawbacks such as parasystole.
Abstract:
Six patients with symptoms due to sinoatrial block are described in whom no relief or improvement in block occurred when they were treated with isoprenaline or ephedrine. All six patients were treated by ventricular cardiac pacing with complete relief of symptoms. Despite the theoretical disadvantages of parasystole and loss of accrochage in treating these patients by ventricular pacing they have survived for periods of 18 months to over five years.
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