C65. Pace and Ablate as an Alternative Approach for Rate Control Strategy in Patient with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Abstract Background AF patient with refractory to optimal medical therapy for rate or rhythm control, atrioventricular (AV) nodal ablation with permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is an effective strategy for symptomatic relief. Maintenance of controlled ventricular rate helps to avoid frequent exacerbations of CHF and tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy, and is also associated with improved quality of life. Case Summary Female 66-year-old suffered from Heart Failure exacerbations caused by paroxysmal AF with rapid ventricular response (RVR) with underlying hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Rhythm control strategy with drip Amiodarone induce sinus bradycardia with unstable hemodynamic, when drugs was stopped then AF RVR reappeared, we tried to rate control strategy with Digoxin but, she experienced same condition as before. She underwent a pragmatical technique AV nodal ablation with cardiac pacing for rate control and she had drastic improvement of symptoms within the next 24 h. Complete AV block was achieved after application of 2 radiofrequency energies over the anatomic AV node. A permanent pacemaker (PPM) was programmed to VVIR at the rate of 70 bpm. Discussion Conventional medical therapies, including beta-blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, digoxin, and anti-arrhythmic drugs, may fail to control the ventricular rate. Atrioventricular junction ablation and pacing (AVJAP) can be applied for patients whom medication is inadequate or associated with side effects (Recommendation IIA). According to our case, AVJAP is possible but an attractive choice for some elderly patients who are not compliant with treatment or associated with dangerous side effect for patients.