Effective use of a novel rate-smoothing algorithm in atrial fibrillation by ventricular pacing.

Background: It is still unknown whether a fast heart rate or an irregular ventricular response in atrial fibrillation causes tachycardiomyopathy. Reduction in the variability of RR intervals without an increase in heart rate might be an alternative treatment when antiarrhythmic drugs fail to control the irregularity accompanying atrial fibrillation.

Subjects And Methods: Eight patients underwent temporary right ventricular pacing, using a novel rate-smoothing algorithm prior to DC cardioversion or His bundle ablation.

[Good experiences with an implantable automatic defibrillator with transvenous electrodes for patients with life-threatening arrhythmias].

Objective: To describe the results of treatment of patients with a life-threatening arrhythmia by implantation of an second generation implantable cardioverter defibrillator with transvenous electrodes.

Design: Descriptive.

Setting: St.

Long-term follow-up after pacemaker implantation in sick sinus syndrome.

In 74 symptomatic patients suffering from sick sinus syndrome, survival after pacemaker implantation and additional drug therapy was determined. The 5-year survival was poor (47.2%).