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BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is common after pacemaker implantation. However, the impact of pacemaker algorithms in AF prevention is not well understood.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of pacing algorithms in preventing AF progression.MethodsA systematic search of articles using the PubMed and Embase databases resulted in a total of 754 references. After exclusions, 21 randomized controlled trials (8336 patients) were analyzed, comprising studies reporting ventricular pacing percentage (VP%) (AAI vs DDD, n = 1; reducing ventricular pacing [RedVP] algorithms, n = 2); and atrial pacing therapies (atrial preference pacing [APP], n = 14; atrial antitachycardia pacing [aATP]+APP, n = 3; RedVP+APP+aATP, n = 1).ResultsLow VP% (<10%) lead to a nonsignificant reduction in the progression of AF (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57-1.13; P = .21; I2 = 67%) compared to high VP% (>10%). APP algorithm reduced premature atrial complexes (PAC) burden (mean difference [MD] -1117.74; 95% CI -1852.36 to -383.11; P = .003; I2 = 67%) but did not decrease AF burden (MD 8.20; 95% CI -5.39 to 21.80; P = .24; I2 = 17%) or AF episodes (MD 0.00; 95% CI -0.24 to 0.25; P = .98; I2 = 0%). Similarly, aATP+APP programming showed no significant difference in AF progression (odds ratio 0.65; 95% CI 0.36-1.14; P = .13; I2 = 61%). No serious adverse events related to algorithm were reported.ConclusionThis meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials demonstrated that algorithms to reduce VP% can be considered safe. Low burden VP% did not significantly suppress AF progression. The atrial pacing therapy algorithms could suppress PAC burden but did not prevent AF progression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.02.020

Type

Journal article

Journal

Heart rhythm

Publication Date

08/2019

Volume

16

Pages

1204 - 1214

Addresses

Centre for Heart Rhythm disorders (CHRD), South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia; Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Keywords

Heart Atria, Humans, Atrial Fibrillation, Disease Progression, Cardiac Pacing, Artificial, Algorithms, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic