Background-Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI), patient characteristics and association with outcomes remain poorly defined in the elderly.

Repetitive extrastimulation not only shortens APD and subsequently ERP but also alters the ERP/APD relation by allowing capture to occur at progressively less complete repolarization levels. This progressive encroachment onto the preceding repolarization phase is associated with impaired impulse propagation and a high incidence of VT induction. This may help explain how repetitive, closely coupled extrastimulation induces ventricular tachycardia in the human heart.

Postoperative atrial pacing, in conjunction with beta-blockade, significantly reduced both the incidence of atrial fibrillation and the length of hospital stay following cardiovascular surgery. Additional studies are needed to determine the most effective anatomic pacing site.

Rate control in AF is possible in the majority of patients with AF. Beta-blockers were the most effective drugs. To achieve the goal of adequate rate control in all patients, frequent medication changes and drug combinations were needed.