Impact of atrioventricular node ablation and pacing therapy on clinical course in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and unstable ventricular tachycardia induced by rapid ventricular response: follow-up study.

Aim: To evaluate prospectively the impact of atrioventricular (AV) node ablation and consequent pacing therapy on clinical course in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and unstable ventricular tachycardia induced by rapid ventricular response.

Methods: One hundred four patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and uncontrolled ventricular rate resistant to drug therapy underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation of the AV node and permanent pacemaker implantation. At baseline examination, 14 of them had unstable ventricular tachycardia induced by rapid ventricular response of atrial fibrillation (ventricular tachycardia group).

Ventricular pacing vs dual chamber pacing in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after atrioventricular node ablation: open randomized study.

Aim: To compare ventricular rate responsive (VVIR) pacing with dual chamber rate responsive (DDDR) pacing and antiarrhythmic drugs for the treatment of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after atrioventricular node ablation.

Methods: One hundred two patients with persistent atrial fibrillation eligible for the atrioventricular node ablation were randomly assigned to the therapy with either VVIR pacemaker (n=52) or DDDR pacemaker and antiarrhythmic drugs (n=50). After ablation, patients in both pacing groups were assigned to take anticoagulant therapy.