January 1, 2003Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology21 citations
Management of Atrial Tachyarrhythmias: Benefits of Pacemaker Diagnostics
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Key Result
The AF 1.0 pacemaker diagnostic functions modified initial therapeutic changes based on conventional assessment in 61% of instances, allowing therapeutic adjustments impossible otherwise.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=40)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Does the use of pacemaker diagnostic functions (AF 1.0) improve arrhythmia management in patients with documented AF and conventional pacing indications?
P
Population
40 patients with documented atrial fibrillation (AF) and conventional pacing indications, mean age 71 +/- 9 years.
I
Intervention
Selection pacemaker with AF 1.0 diagnostic functions programmed to document AF burden, onset, daily distribution, duration, premature atrial beats before onset, and mode of onset for AF episodes exceeding 180 beats/min.
C
Comparator
Conventional clinical assessment based on patient symptom records and follow-up evaluation.
O
Outcome
Usefulness of AF 1.0 in AF management at 3- and 6-month follow-ups, defined as a change in arrhythmia management prompted by the disclosure of AF 1.0 data.
Pacemaker diagnostic functions provide critical data on asymptomatic AF episodes, prompting significant therapeutic adjustments that would not be possible with conventional clinical assessment alone.
Abstract
The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to assess the clinical benefits of the Selection (Vitatron) pacemaker diagnostic functions (AF 1.0) in the management of AF. Forty patients (71 +/- 9 years of age), with documented AF and conventional pacing indications, received a Selection. The AF 1.0 function of the pacemaker was programmed to document the AF burden, onset, daily distribution, duration, premature atrial beats before onset, and mode of onset of the last 12 episodes for AF episodes exceeding 180 beats/min. By comparing patients' symptoms records, patient conventional assessment at follow-up and AF 1.0 data, the investigators evaluated the usefulness of AF 1.0 in AF management at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Usefulness was defined as a change in arrhythmia management prompted by the disclosure of AF 1.0 data. AF recurrences were recorded in 71% of the follow-ups with symptoms reported by patients in only 16%. Thirty-nine percent of therapeutic changes based on conventional assessment were confirmed by AF 1.0 data, and in 61% of instances, the initial changes were modified by AF 1.0 data. Changes included pacing parameters in 56% of cases, AF prevention with pacing algorithms in 37%, and medical treatment in 7%. All investigators indicated that AF 1.0 was useful in all patients. The AF 1.0 diagnostic functions offered a unique documentation of AF in asymptomatic patients, and allowed therapeutic adjustments impossible otherwise.
Cite This Study
Fauchier et al. (2003) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=40). Selection (Vitatron) pacemaker diagnostic functions (AF 1.0) vs. Conventional assessment was evaluated on Usefulness of AF 1.0 in AF management (defined as a change in arrhythmia management prompted by the disclosure of AF 1.0 data). The AF 1.0 pacemaker diagnostic functions modified initial therapeutic changes based on conventional assessment in 61% of instances, allowing therapeutic adjustments impossible otherwise.