Safety and feasibility of leadless pacemaker in patients undergoing atrioventricular node ablation for atrial fibrillation

Background: Atrioventricular node (AVN) ablation and permanent pacing is an established strategy for rate control in the management of symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Leadless pacemakers (LPs) can overcome some of the short-term and long-term limitations of conventional transvenous pacemakers (CTPs).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the feasibility and safety of LP with those of single-chamber CTP in patients with AF undergoing AVN ablation.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter observational study of patients undergoing AVN ablation and pacemaker implantation (LP vs single-chamber CTP) between February 1, 2014 and November 15, 2016. The primary efficacy end points were acceptable sensing (R wave amplitude ≥5.0 mV) and pacing thresholds (≤2.0 V at 0.4 ms) at follow-up. Safety end points included device-related major and minor (early <1 month, late >1 month) adverse events.

Results: A total of 127 patients with LP (n = 60) and CTP (n = 67) were studied. The median follow-up was 12 months (interquartile range 12-18 months). Ninety-five percent of the LP group and 97% of the CTP group met the primary efficacy end point at follow-up (57 of 60 vs 65 of 67; P = .66). There was 1 major adverse event (loss of pacing and sensing) in the LP group and 2 (lead dislodgement) in the CTP group (1 of 60 vs 2 of 67; P = 1.00). There were 6 minor adverse events (5 early and 1 late) in the LP group and 3 (early) in the CTP group (6 of 60 vs 3 of 67; P = .30).

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the feasibility and safety of LP compared with CTP in patients undergoing AVN ablation for AF.