HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Leads To Pacemaker Dependency?

default
Posted on Fri, 22 Dec 2023
Question: How many people are pacemaker dependent? How many people are in A-fib 100% of the time? How many people have a AV node ablation instead of the catheter ablation?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:

I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Regarding your concern, I would explain that people who require a pacemaker and become pacemaker dependent all the time are generally with high degree AV block, bradyarrhythmias (AF with low ventricular response), or as in your case have undergone AV node ablation procedure and require continuous pacemaker support for providing adequate ventricles functioning.

As all these patients represent a heterogeneous population it is difficult to arrive on exact numbers.

From the other hand, atrial fibrillation has become an epidemic accounting for more than 3% of individuals greater than 20 years old and increasing with age such as it is calculated that almost one in four individual of middle-age develop AF.

AV node ablation is generally performed when a supraventricular arrhythmia is not properly controlled by means of pharmacologic therapy and also catheter ablation.

In such case, AV node ablation with a permanent pacemaker is recommended.

This strategy is not frequently performed (less than 1-2% 0f cases) as the above-mentioned methods manage in general to control arrhythmia (especially atrial fibrillation).

The downside of this strategy is that left ventricular dyssynchrony happens in around 50% of cases. If this is the case, cardiac resynchronization therapy is the recommended procedure to prevent worsening heart failure symptoms.

In conclusions, I would recommend you to periodically control the pacemaker status and refer all potential clinical symptomatology to your attending cardiologist in order to timely prevent any possible complication.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9545 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Leads To Pacemaker Dependency?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello, Regarding your concern, I would explain that people who require a pacemaker and become pacemaker dependent all the time are generally with high degree AV block, bradyarrhythmias (AF with low ventricular response), or as in your case have undergone AV node ablation procedure and require continuous pacemaker support for providing adequate ventricles functioning. As all these patients represent a heterogeneous population it is difficult to arrive on exact numbers. From the other hand, atrial fibrillation has become an epidemic accounting for more than 3% of individuals greater than 20 years old and increasing with age such as it is calculated that almost one in four individual of middle-age develop AF. AV node ablation is generally performed when a supraventricular arrhythmia is not properly controlled by means of pharmacologic therapy and also catheter ablation. In such case, AV node ablation with a permanent pacemaker is recommended. This strategy is not frequently performed (less than 1-2% 0f cases) as the above-mentioned methods manage in general to control arrhythmia (especially atrial fibrillation). The downside of this strategy is that left ventricular dyssynchrony happens in around 50% of cases. If this is the case, cardiac resynchronization therapy is the recommended procedure to prevent worsening heart failure symptoms. In conclusions, I would recommend you to periodically control the pacemaker status and refer all potential clinical symptomatology to your attending cardiologist in order to timely prevent any possible complication. Hope I have answered your query. Take care Regards, Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist