A 67-Year-Old Man With Palpitations and Syncope

Advancing age is associated with an increase in the collagen content of the sinus node.^[10] Age is also associated with an increase in the sinoatrial conduction time, another manifestation of sinus node dysfunction. Of note, patients with age-related sinus node fibrosis also demonstrated fibrosis involving the atrioventricular node.^[10]

For patients with tachy-brady syndrome and symptoms of both atrial fibrillation and sinus node dysfunction, treatment of both conditions may be necessary. With prolonged pauses causing presyncope or syncope, a pacemaker implantation is performed first to prevent associated injury; atrial fibrillation is addressed as a subsequent step. For patients without prolonged pauses or syncope but with symptomatic bradycardia associated with the use of antiarrhythmic or rate control agents, considering catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation first to allow for removal of these drugs is reasonable. However, patients with extensive sinus node fibrosis may still require permanent pacing despite successful ablation.^[9]

© 2019 American College of Cardiology & Medscape

Cite this: Nazem Akoum, Steven A. Lubitz, Zachary D. Goldberger. A 67-Year-Old Man With Palpitations and Syncope - Medscape - Feb 19, 2019.