Effective prevention of atrial fibrillation by continuous atrial overdrive pacing after coronary artery bypass surgery
Dominique Blommaert, MD*,
Manuel Gonzalez, MD
,
Joseph Mucumbitsi, MD*,
Olivier Gurné, MD, PhD*,
Patrick Evrard, MD
,
Michel Buche, MD
,
Yves Louagie, MD, PhD
,
Philippe Eucher, MD
,
Jacques Jamart, MD
,
Etienne Installé, MD
and
Luc De Roy, MD*
* Department of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
Intensive Care Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
Cardiovascular Surgery, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
Biostatistics Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium

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Figure 1 The dynamic overdrive pacing algorithm allows atrial pacing in the AAI mode, always just above the patients own rhythm. When a premature beat is sensed, the algorithm increases the heart rate by shortening its escape interval by 50 ms to a programmed upper rate limit. The pacing cycle length is then gradually increased by 5 ms per stimulus until the lower rate limit is reached or another spontaneous beat is sensed.
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Copyright © 2000 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.