Sinus node dysfunction in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: Clinical and laboratory parallels

 Introduction. This article provides an overview of the problem of sinus node dysfunction after surgical treatment for longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation and the methods for diagnosing the initial states of cardiac activity and conduction.

Purpose. To identify predictors of initial sinus node dysfunction in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Material and Methods: The study comprised a total of 65 patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation complicating mitral valve disease. The state of autonomic nervous system was analyzed in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. The associations between the analyzed data and electrophysiological parameters were investigated.

Results. The study allowed to identify the cutoff points for the contents of neurohumoral factors in the coronary circulation in patients with intact sinus node function and sinus node dysfunction. Prognostic criteria for the development of bradyarrhythmias in the postoperative period requiring pacemaker implantation were proposed and introduced into clinical practice. 

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