Clinical course of sinus node dysfunction after thoracoscopic surgery for atrial fibrillation—analysis of the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation and Autonomic Modulation via Thoracoscopic Surgery (AFACT) study

Purpose Sinus node dysfunction (SND) may complicate thoracoscopic surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Identifying patients at risk is important, as SND may require temporary or permanent pacing. To determine the incidence of postoperative SND and duration of symptoms in patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgical ablation. Methods Patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF included in the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation and Autonomic Modulation via Thoracoscopic Surgery (AFACT) study underwent pulmonary vein isolation and additional left atrial ablations on indication. Patients were randomized to ganglion plexus ablation or control. SND was defined as symptomatic or asymptomatic junctional rhythm exceeding sinus rate within 30 days postoperatively. The SND risk was assessed by using a univariable logistic regression model. The rate of pacemaker implantation was determined. Results The AFACT study included 240 patients. SND developed in 17 (7.1%) patients, not affected by randomized treatment, p = 0.18. SND patients more often had persistent AF (88.2%) than patients without SND (57.4%), p = 0.01. After univariable testing, persistent AF (OR 5.57 CI 1.52–35.90, p = 0.02) and additional left atrial ablations (OR 12.10 CI 2.40–220.20, p = 0.02) were associated with postoperative SND. Six (35.3%) patients needed temporary pacing for 1–7 days; permanent pacemakers (PMs) were implanted for SND in five (29.4%) patients. Conclusion Additional left atrial ablations strongly increase the SND risk. The majority of SND was temporary, and sinus rhythm resolved within days, which indicates that a conservative approach with regard to pacemaker implantation should be considered.