INTRODUCTION: AAI is the pacing mode recommended in @entity1 with @entity1817 ( @entity1817 ) but is the less used in our country. Progression to high grade @entity713 ( @entity713 ) is argued as the reason to implant VVI or @entity3603 pacemakers. We used AAI pacemakers in @entity1 with @entity1817 only if Wenckebach @entity713 appeared at atrial pacing rates > or = 120 beats/min before implantation. @entity1 AND METHODS: A series of 45 @entity1 with permanent atrial pacemaker (AAI-PM) systems, were prospectively followed and retrospectively analyzed to investigate the incidence of @entity713 and chronic @entity4710 . AAI-PM were implanted in @entity1 with @entity1817 ( @entity1817 ) in the absence of @entity5036 , only if @entity713 appeared at atrial pacing rates > or = 120 beats/min. Four @entity1 were lost during follow-up. In 41 @entity1 (23 males, mean age 68 +/- 12 years) the mean follow-up time was 56 months (10 to 110). There was one case of lead failure but no case of dislodgement. RESULTS: 28 of the 41 @entity1 are still successfully paced in AAI mode after a mean of 68.5 months (44-110). Five @entity1 presented @entity955 at a mean of 23 months (10-39) after PM implantation and remained chronically in this situation. Of these, 4 @entity1 had paroxysmal @entity955 documented before PM implantation. Eight @entity1 died during follow-up (range 10-78 months post PM implantation) at mean age 84 years. Causes of @entity204 were noncardiovascular in 5 @entity1 , and a cerebrovascular accident in 3 @entity1 . One @entity1 on digoxin and @entity2643 had asymptomatic @entity713 during night sleep. The AV conduction normalized after cessation of drug therapy. Progression to high degree @entity713 was not documented in any @entity1 . CONCLUSION: AAI is a reliable and safe mode of pacing in @entity1 with @entity1817 . If appropriate indications for AAI pacing are followed, progression to high degree @entity713 is rare and the need to implant additional ventricular lead seems unlikely.

[Results of long-term permanent XXXX ].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient', 'PATIENTS'] @entity2643 :: ('MESH:D000638', 'Chemical') :: ['amiodarone'] @entity713 :: ('MESH:D054537', 'Disease') :: ['AV block', 'atrioventricular block', 'Wenckebach AV block', 'atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances', 'AVB'] @entity3603 :: ('MESH:C562924', 'Disease') :: ['DDD'] @entity1817 :: ('MESH:D012804', 'Disease') :: ['SND', 'sinus node dysfunction'] @entity5036 :: ('OMIM:113900', 'Disease') :: ['bundle branch block'] @entity955 :: ('MESH:D001281', 'Disease') :: ['atrial fibrillation', 'chronic atrial fibrillation'] @entity4710 :: ('MESH:D013617', 'Disease') :: ['atrial tachyarrhythmias'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['death']
@entity1817 :: (MESH:D012804,Disease) :: ['atrial stimulation in sick sinus disease']
