title: Atrial fibrillation in patients with sick sinus syndrome: the association with PQ-interval and percentage of ventricular pacing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the recently published DANPACE trial, incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) was significantly higher with single-lead atrial (AAIR) pacing than with dual-chamber (DDDR) pacing. The present analysis aimed to evaluate the importance of baseline PQ-interval and percentage of ventricular pacing (VP) on AF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analysed data on AF during follow-up in 1415 patients included in the DANPACE trial. In a subgroup of 650 patients with DDDR pacemaker, we studied whether %VP, baseline PQ-interval, and programmed atrio-ventricular interval (AVI) was associated with AF burden measured as time in mode-switch (MS) detected by the pacemaker. In the entire DANPACE study population, the incidence of AF was significantly higher in patients with baseline PQ-interval >180 ms (P< 0.001). Among 650 patients with DDDR pacemaker, telemetry data were available for 1.337 ± 786 days, %VP was 66 ± 33%, AF was detected at planned follow-up in 160 patients (24.6%), MS occurred in 422 patients (64.9%), and AF burden was marginally higher with baseline PQ-interval >180 ms (P= 0.028). No significant association was detected between %VP and %MS (Spearman's ρ 0.056, P= 0.154). %MS was not different between minimal-paced programmed AVI ≤ 100 and >100 ms (median value), respectively (P= 0.60).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study indicates that a longer baseline PQ-interval is associated with an increased risk of AF in patients with sick sinus syndrome. Atrial fibrillation burden is not associated with the percentage of VP or the length of the programmed AVI.
authors: Department of Cardiology B, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200-Aarhus N, Denmark. jenniels@rm.dk
authors: Jens Cosedis
authors: JC
authors: Nielsen
authors: Poul Erik B
authors: PE
authors: Thomsen
authors: Søren
authors: S
authors: Højberg
authors: Mogens
authors: M
authors: Møller
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Riahi
authors: Dorthe
authors: D
authors: Dalsgaard
authors: Leif S
authors: LS
authors: Mortensen
authors: Tonny
authors: T
authors: Nielsen
authors: Mogens
authors: M
authors: Asklund
authors: Elsebeth V
authors: EV
authors: Friis
authors: Per D
authors: PD
authors: Christensen
authors: Erik H
authors: EH
authors: Simonsen
authors: Ulrik H
authors: UH
authors: Eriksen
authors: Gunnar V H
authors: GV
authors: Jensen
authors: Jesper H
authors: JH
authors: Svendsen
authors: William D
authors: WD
authors: Toff
authors: Jeffrey S
authors: JS
authors: Healey
authors: Henning R
authors: HR
authors: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013686:Telemetry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data