Prevention of post-implantation paroxysms of atrial fibrillation in elderly and senile patients with double chamber cardiac pacemaker

Abstract

First-time paroxysmal atrial fibrillation occurs in 5-15% of patients after implantation of dual chamber pacemaker which is of particular importance for patients of older age categories and it significantly increases the risk of thrombogenic events. The aim of the study was to develop a pharmacological approach to prevention of postimplantation atrial fibrillation of nonischemic origin in elderly and senile patients. The study results demonstrated that, in elderly patients implanted with dual chamber pacemaker, symptomatic atrial fibrillation paroxysms were predominant and lasted longer than asymptomatic paroxysms by 5.0 min on average. The use of amiodarone and propafenone as basic antiarrhythmic therapy in patients of group 1 contributed to a decrease in the frequency of asymptomatic arrhythmias. Comprehensive prevention program with administration of phosphatidylcholine and quercetin in liposomal form in patients of group 2 contributed to more pronounced reduction in the frequency and duration of both symptomatic and asymptomatic arrhythmia paroxysms suggesting the ability of liposomal preparations to potentiate the anti-arrhythmic effects of basic therapy.