Sick Sinus Syndrome

Highest incidence occurs in pts >60 y.

Common in pts who have had congenital heart defect repair surgery.

Sinus node dysfunction is a common indication for pacemaker implantation.

Syncope, symptomatic bradycardia, and asystole.

Sinus bradycardia can be poorly responsive to atropine and require a pacer intraop.

Termination of a tachy-brady event where an atrial tachycardia occurs can lead to a prolonged bradycardia or asystole.

A tachy-brady event can lead to demand myocardial ischemia and can precipitate heart failure in pts with related comorbidities.