Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing debate on how cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in the presence of total AV block affects atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and symptoms in patients with AF. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with symptomatic, drug and ablation refractory AF received, irrespective of their left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), either a CRT device and underwent subsequent atrioventricular node (AVN) ablation or already had a total AV block and underwent CRT upgrade. Long-lasting AF episodes (>48 h), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left atrial diameter (LAD), NTproBNP levels, EHRA score, and NYHA class had been monitored on the follow-up. RESULTS: The number of patients experiencing long-lasting AF episodes (>48 h) and symptoms decreased significantly within 24 months after CRT implantation in the presence of total AV block (p < .001) from 57 (76%) to 25 (33.3%). Mean LAD decreased from 52 mm (IQR 48.0-56.0) to 48 mm (IQR 42.0-52.0, p < .001) and LVEDD from 54 mm (IQR 49.0-58.0) to 51 mm (IQR 46.5-54.0, p < .001). CONCLUSION: A combination of total AVN block and biventricular pacing markedly reduces long-lasting AF episodes, symptoms, left atrial diameter, and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter.