Randomized controlled design – two groups (1:1 ratio) Run-in phase Following recruitment, patient will commence a 1-month run-in period during which all pacemakers were programmed with DDDR with MVP (Managed Ventricular Pacing) algorithm ON only in order to evaluate AF burden and ventricular pacing percentage. The patients who have more than 30% AF burden will be excluded from the study. Patients with ventricular pacing >40% on run-in phase will also be excluded. Randomization will be performed after the end of run-in period. Randomization Period Random allocation sequence will be conducted using computer software, stratified to balance out the presence/absence of AV-block. Concealment of each patient assignment was performed, and it will not be revealed until all baseline data had been collected. Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 manner to (i) DDDR with MVP (control group) or (ii) MVP+APP+aATP group (figure 1). The patients will be followed for one-year. Assessment will be undertaken every six-month period. Throughout the study all patients and the other investigators remained blinded to the programmed pacing mode. Pacemaker Programming The enrolled patients will have a Medtronic dual chamber pacemaker with specific features (i) MVP (atrial pacing with backup ventricular pacing if AV conduction fails), (ii) APP (three atrial preferential pacing algorithms to prevent atrial tachyarrhythmias, and (iii) terminating atrial tachyarrhythmias by overdrive atrial pacing delivered at arrhythmia onset and during dynamic transition to slower and more organized atrial tachyarrhythmias (Reactive ATP or aATP). Pacemakers will be programmed to DDDR with a base rate of 60 bpm and an upper rate dependent on
Randomized controlled design – two groups (1:1 ratio) Run-in phase Following recruitment, patient will commence a 1-month run-in period during which all pacemakers were programmed with DDDR with MVP (Managed Ventricular Pacing) algorithm ON only in order to evaluate AF burden and ventricular pacing percentage. The patients who have more than 30% AF burden will be excluded from the study. Patients with ventricular pacing >40% on run-in phase will also be excluded. Randomization will be performed after the end of run-in period. Randomization Period Random allocation sequence will be conducted using computer software, stratified to balance out the presence/absence of AV-block. Concealment of each patient assignment was performed, and it will not be revealed until all baseline data had been collected. Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 manner to (i) DDDR with MVP (control group) or (ii) MVP+APP+aATP group (figure 1). The patients will be followed for one-year. Assessment will be undertaken every six-month period. Throughout the study all patients and the other investigators remained blinded to the programmed pacing mode. Pacemaker Programming The enrolled patients will have a Medtronic dual chamber pacemaker with specific features (i) MVP (atrial pacing with backup ventricular pacing if AV conduction fails), (ii) APP (three atrial preferential pacing algorithms to prevent atrial tachyarrhythmias, and (iii) terminating atrial tachyarrhythmias by overdrive atrial pacing delivered at arrhythmia onset and during dynamic transition to slower and more organized atrial tachyarrhythmias (Reactive ATP or aATP). Pacemakers will be programmed to DDDR with a base rate of 60 bpm and an upper rate dependent on
371474-CEASE-AF%20Protocol%20-%20update26Augl2016.docx