Key points of the DANPACE II study on atrial pacing and atrial fibrillation in sinus node dysfunction:

1. Minimizing atrial pacing in pacemakers doesn't prevent atrial fibrillation (AF):

• 46% of patients regardless of pacing rate (40bpm or 60bpm) experienced an AF episode lasting over 6 minutes during 2 years.

• No difference in AF rates across age, heart rhythm patterns, or prior AF history.

2. Safety concerns: Lower pacing rate linked to increased presyncope/syncope (22% vs 13%).

• Some patients initially assigned to 40bpm required device reprogramming to a higher rate due to these issues.

3. Standard pacing settings (60bpm with rate-adaptive pacing) are recommended unless individual needs require adjustment.

• Rate-adaptive pacing adjusts to activity level, providing adequate heart rate while minimizing unnecessary atrial pacing.

4. Optimal pacing rate remains under investigation for further minimizing AF and syncope.

• Future studies are needed to identify specific patient groups who might benefit from atrial pacing minimization.

5. Overall, DANPACE II clarifies pacemaker programming strategies for sinus node dysfunction patients.

• While minimizing atrial pacing isn't generally effective for preventing AF, the study provides valuable insights for optimizing pacemaker settings to ensure patient safety and well-being.

Link to article: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad564

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