The comparison of catheter ablation and permanent pacing on patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation related tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the outcome of AF ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) related tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome. Methods Fifty consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF and prolonged symptomatic sinus pauses on termination of AF referred to our hospital for ablation were evaluated (ABL group). In another 61 patients, paroxysmal AF was treated with anti-arrhythmic drug and a pacemaker was implanted due to AF related tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome. These patients were used as control (PM group). Results A total of 50 patients in the ABL group fulfilled Class I indication for pacemaker implantation at baseline but they actually underwent AF ablation. Re-evaluation at the end of follow-up showed that 47 (94%) patients no longer needed a pacemaker (Class III indication) because of free from AF with no recurrences of pre-syncopal or syncopal events or documented sinus pauses after the last procedure. More patients in the PM group were on AADs (PM 42.6%, ABL 6.0%, P < 0.001) while sinus rhythm maintenance at the end of follow-up was remarkably higher in the ABL group (82.0%vs. 21.3%in PM group, P < 0.001). The total rates of cardiac related re-hospitalization was not significantly different between the two groups, but hospitalizations caused by tachyarrhythmia was significantly higher in the PM group (PM group 14.8%, ABL group 2.0%, P=0.020).The embolic events, heart failure and death rate were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions In patients with paroxysmal AF related tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome, AF ablation seems to be superior to a strategy of pacing plus AAD. Pacemaker implantation can be waived in the majority of patients after a successful ablation.