Impact of the atrial lead pacing site regarding atrial fibrillation onset in patients with sinus node dysfunction

Int J Cardiol. 2021 Jun 1:332:85-86. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.03.074. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Abstract

Symptomatic sinus node disease (SND) most frequently requires the implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker of which the right atrial lead is generally implanted in the right atrial appendage (RAA) or the lateral wall (LW).The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of the right atrial lead pacing site regarding the onset of AF in patients with SND. RESULTS: 126 patients were included (53% males; 76 yo). 64 (51%) patients were implanted in the RAA and 62 (49%) in the LW. The two groups were not different in terms of CHA2DS2-VASc score and indexed left atrial volume. Forty-eight months after implantation, AF occurred in 17 (26.6%) of the RAA group and 6 (9.7%) in the lateral group. In the multivariate models, RAA site was the only factor associated with AF onset, with an Hazard Ratio of 2.5 (95%CI 1.1; 5.7; P=0.03). CONCLUSION: In our study, RAA pacing was associated with 2.5 higher risk of AF onset in patients with SND. Further larger randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Atrial lead; Sinus node dysfonction.

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Appendage*
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / diagnosis
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / epidemiology
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / therapy
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sick Sinus Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Sick Sinus Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Sick Sinus Syndrome / therapy