The Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation by Atrial Pacing

The limited elinical efficacy and various side effects of antiarrhythmic drug therapies for atrial fibrillation have !ed to the exploration of nonpharmacologic therapeutic approaches. One of them is prophylactic atrial pacing methods. Prevention of atrial fi brillation by pacing was first reported in patients with vagally mediated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and later in patients with sick sinus syndrome. Another category of patients who may benefit from preventive atrial pacing are those with clear evidence of inter-atrial conduction delay. The preliminary results of the first studies can be considered as encouraging. However large multicenter studies in progress will provide further insight into the value of this new therapeutic technique.