Antiarrhythmic properties of atrial pacing

Improved suppression of recurrent atrial fibrillation with dual-site right atrial pacing and antiarrhythmic drug therapy.

OBJECTIVES We compared the safety, tolerance and effectiveness of overdrive high right atrial (RA), dual-site RA and support (DDI or VDI) pacing (SP) in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) and bradycardias. BACKGROUND Optimal pacing methods for AF prevention remain unclear. METHODS Patients (n = 118) were randomized to each of three pacing modes in a crossover trial. RESULT...

percutaneous repositioning of dislodged atrial pacing lead

the overall rate of atrial pacing lead dislodgement is estimated to be about 3%. these leads are generally repositioned via a second operation through opening the pacemaker pocket. some operators have introduced percutaneous techniques using snare system or deflectable catheters for this purpose. in this article we present our experience with five cases of percutaneous lead repositioning. three...

Effects of the novel antiarrhythmic agent azimilide on experimental atrial fibrillation and atrial electrophysiologic properties.

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to evaluate how the atrial electrophysiological and antiarrhythmic effects of azimilide compare with those of the specific rapid delayed rectifier (IKr) blocker dofetilide. BACKGROUND Azimilide, a new class III drug, was initially believed to be a highly selective blocker of the slow delayed rectifier (IKs), but recent studies suggest that azimilide potently...

Can atrial flutter be converted to sinus rhythm by antiarrhythmic drugs or should atrial pacing be performed?

Antiarrhythmic Therapy for Atrial Tachyarrhythmias

Antiarrhythmic therapy can have a key role in prolonging the lives of patients with most common atrial tachyarrhythmias such as atrial flutter (AFL) or atrial fibrillation (AF). The optimal use of antiarrhytmic drug therapy depends in part on understanding the underlying mechanisms of AFL and AF and pharmacodynamis of each antiarrhythmic drug. Currently, there is a large body of experimental an...