Long-term survival after ablation of the atrioventricular node and implantation of a permanent pacemaker in patients with atrial fibrillation.
BACKGROUND
In patients with atrial fibrillation that is refractory to drug therapy, radio-frequency ablation of the atrioventricular node and implantation of a permanent pacemaker are an alternative therapeutic approach. The effect of this procedure on long-term survival is unknown.


METHODS
We studied all patients who underwent ablation of the atrioventricular node and implantation of a permanent pacemaker at the Mayo Clinic between 1990 and 1998. Observed survival was compared with the survival rates in two control populations: age- and sex-matched members of the Minnesota population between 1970 and 1990 and consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation who received drug therapy in 1993.


RESULTS
A total of 350 patients (mean [+/-SD] age, 68+/-11 years) were studied. During a mean of 36+/-26 months of follow-up, 78 patients died. The observed survival rate was significantly lower than the expected survival rate based on the general Minnesota population (P<0.001). Previous myocardial infarction (P<0.001), a history of congestive heart failure (P=0.02), and treatment with cardiac drugs after ablation (P=0.03) were independent predictors of death. Observed survival among patients without these three risk factors was similar to expected survival (P=0.43). None of the 26 patients with lone atrial fibrillation died during follow-up (37+/-27 months). The observed survival rate among patients who underwent ablation was similar to that among 229 controls with atrial fibrillation (mean age, 67+/-12 years) who received drug therapy (P=0.44).


CONCLUSIONS
In the absence of underlying heart disease, survival among patients with atrial fibrillation after ablation of the atrioventricular node is similar to expected survival in the general population. Long-term survival is similar for patients with atrial fibrillation, whether they receive ablation or drug therapy. Control of the ventricular rate by ablation of the atrioventricular node and permanent pacing does not adversely affect long-term survival.
Ozcan
C
C
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
Jahangir
A
A
Friedman
P A
PA
Patel
P J
PJ
Munger
T M
TM
Rea
R F
RF
Lloyd
M A
MA
Packer
D L
DL
Hodge
D O
DO
Gersh
B J
BJ
Hammill
S C
SC
Shen
W K
WK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002423:Cause of Death; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents