title: Pacemaker utilization during permanent atrial fibrillation in patients who received pacemaker implantation for sinus node dysfunction.
abstract: Patients who have pacemakers and sinus node dysfunction frequently have atrial fibrillation (AF). The need for continued pacemaker therapy after conversion to permanent AF remains uncertain. This study showed that, among 174 patients who received pacemaker implantation for sinus node dysfunction, 38% (n = 62) had the minimum intrinsic ventricular rate of >60 beats/min after conversion to AF. The pacemaker memory showed that 30 patients (18%) never used ventricular pacing during permanent AF. The study results suggest that patients who have a stable intrinsic ventricular rate during permanent AF by serial assessment may no longer need continued pacemaker therapy.
authors.affiliation: The Cardiac Center of Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. hli@cardiac.creighton.edu
authors.forename: Huagui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dhanunjaya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lakkireddy
authors.forename: Hema
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Korlakunta
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rovang
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000503:physiopathology; D004554:Electric Countershock; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*