[Atrioventricular conduction and permanent atrial pacing].

UNLABELLED: The goal of the report was to evaluate changes of atrioventricular conduction in patients with sick sinus syndrome treated with permanent atrial pacing.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

150 patients (82 women and 68 men) with implanted permanent atrial AAI and AAIR pacemakers were followed for 5.9 +/- 3.6 years (maximum 15 yrs). After mean 5.9 years of follow up incidence of III degrees AVB was 0.7%, II degrees AVB--2.7%, and I degree AVB--2.74%; twenty six of 150 patients showed nonphysiological increase of the SQ interval at pacing rate 120 imp/min.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Atrioventricular conduction in elderly patients with sick sinus syndrome is decreasing. 2. Continuous observation of the atrioventricular conduction is obligatory in patients with single chamber AAI pacing. 3. Upper heart rate limit in patients with single chamber atrial pacing must be programmed taking into account changes of atrioventricular conduction.