Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and stroke in paced patients without prior atrial fibrillation: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Several reports suggest that the incidence of stroke and atrial fibrillation is reduced in patients receiving physiologic pacemakers, compared with patients receiving a ventricular pacemaker.

HYPOTHESIS: The study was undertaken to address the impact of different pacing modalities on the incidence of stroke and atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

We prospectively analyzed 210 consecutive patients. Those with previous episodes of cerebral ischemia and/or atrial fibrillation were excluded from the study. The study population included 100 patients paced for total atrioventricular (AV) block or second-degree AV block (type II Mobitz) and 110 patients paced for sick sinus syndrome (SSS). The pacing mode was randomized. All patients underwent a brain computed tomography (CT) scan at the date of enrollment and after 1 and 2 years. Patients were followed for 2 years, and the incidence of atrial fibrillation and stroke was evaluated.

RESULTS

The incidence of atrial fibrillation was 10% at 1 year and 11% at 2 years. Comparing the different pacing modalities, we reported an increase in the incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients receiving ventricular pacing (p < 0.05). On the other hand, no difference was found between patients paced for AV block and those paced for SSS. At the end of follow-up, we reported 29 cases of cerebral ischemia: 9 patients had AV block while 20 had SSS (p < 0.05). Comparing the different pacing modalities, there was an increase in the incidence of stroke in patients receiving ventricular pacing (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was an increase in the incidence of stroke and atrial fibrillation in patients with ventricular pacing.