Sinus node dysfunction associates with atrial high-rate episodes after DDD pacemaker implantation

Abstract Background： Patients implanted with pacemakers frequently develop atrial fibrillation. Pacemaker-detected atrial high-rate episodes or AHREs, where one AHRE is defined as ≥ 160beats/min lasting ≥ 5 minutes, may identify patients at increased risk for stroke and death. In this study, we sought to observe whether patients with sinus node dysfunction or atria-ventricular block are more likely to develop AHREs. Methods: A total of 103 patients (age 69.4±13.5 years，58% female) with DDD/DDDR pacemakers were enrolled for the study. These pacemakers were equipped with features that enabled the detection and storage of information such as the dates, durations and sequential episodes of AHRE. Patients were followed up for 2 years and the time of the first occurrence of AHRE was determined at follow-up visit. Other data such as age, gender, structural heart disease, concomitant non-cardiac diseases, the cumulative percentage of atrial pacing (Cum% AP) and ventricular pacing (Cum% VP) were also collected. Results: Atrial fibrillation developed frequently after the dual-chamber pacemaker implantation. AHRE occurred more often in patients with sinus node disease (SND) than those with atrioventricular block (AVB) （OR, 2.553; 95%CI, 1.122-5.814；P=0.045）. Conclusions: AHRE developed frequently after dual-chamber pacemaker implantation. Patients with SND are more likely to develop AF compared to the patients with AVB.