Life expectancy with pacemaker and AFib

Abstract. Atrial flutter (AF) is a troublesome arrhythmia for patients with an implanted pacemaker . Although it has recently become possible to eliminate AF by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RF-CA), the incidence of AF before and after pacemaker implantation has not been clarified.

The atrial pacemakers terminated many attacks of paroxysmal atrial flutter safely and reliably in a follow-up period ranging from 24 to 60 months (average, 42). No major complications developed.

Some patients continue to experience palpitations, near syncope, and syncope after pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation .