Do subclinical atrial tachyarrhythmias increase the risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism in patients with pacemakers?
Subclinical atrial tachyarrhythmias detected by pacemakers are associated with a significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism.
Subclinical atrial tachyarrhythmias, without clinical atrial fibrillation, occurred frequently in patients with pacemakers and were associated with a significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism. (Funded by St. Jude Medical; ASSERT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00256152.).
Healey et al. (Wed,) studied this question.