Will I need a pacemaker for atrial fibrillation?
A pacemaker is implanted when the heart beats too slowly. A pacemaker is always needed following AV node ablation, which is a procedure that destroys the AV node. When the AV node is destroyed, a pacemaker provides regular electrical impulses to make the heart beat regularly.
A pacemaker may be needed if:
- You have periods of slow heart rate during intermittent episodes of atrial fibrillation (tachy-brady syndrome).
- You have a problem with the normal pacemaker of the heart, such as sick sinus syndrome.
- Medication to control your atrial fibrillation causes a slow heart rate.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: January 18, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Laurence Epstein, MD - Cardiac Electrophysiologist | |
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