Suppression Algorithm Reduces Atrial Fibrillation

The results of a multicenter clinical trial involving patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (brief episodes of AF) and a class I or II pacemaker indication showed that a pacemaker incorporating new technology called AF Suppression algorithm can reduce the AF burden by 50%. When atrial leads are placed in the low atrial septum, the burden is reduced by almost 72%. These findings were presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology in Washington, DC (USA).

Historical approaches to AF have centered on pharmacologic therapy, but recent research has shown that pacing therapy can benefit some patients. The new AF Suppression algorithm is designed to continuously monitor intrinsic atrial activity and stimulate the atrium slightly above the patient's intrinsic rhythm in an attempt to control the atrium, thereby suppressing the onset of paroxysmal and persistent AF (longer episodes) and their associated symptoms. The AF Suppression algorithm was developed by St. Jude Medical (St. Paul, MN, USA).

"Suppression pacing alone has already been proven clinically effective and even better results can be expected when the algorithm is used in patients with low atrial septal leads,” said principal investigator Willem De Voogt, M.D., of the St. Lucas Andreas Hospital in Amsterdam (The Netherlands).




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