Prevalence and predictors of bradyarrhythmias requiring permanent pacing in patients with Anderson-Fabry disease

Introduction Bradyarrhythmias are an established red flag for storage cardiac conditions including Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD). The prevalence of bradyarrhythmias requiring a pacemaker (PM) and their timing in AFD is unresolved. Methods We evaluated the prevalence and predictors of PM requirement in a large AFD cohort, investigating the occurrence of bradyarrhythmias as initial versus late manifestation. We retrospectively evaluated 82 consecutive AFD patients referred to our multidisciplinary referral center from 1994 to 2020 with a median follow-up of 6.9 years, identifying those requiring pacing. Univariable analysis was performed to identify cardiac features associated with PM implantation. Results Five of 82 (6%) AFD patients required PM implantation (5/39, i.e., 13% of those with cardiac involvement), always in the context of advanced cardiomyopathy. In none, bradyarrhythmias were the presenting feature. Indications included sick sinus syndrome in three patients, advanced atrioventricular block in two patients. QRS prolongation during follow-up strongly correlated with the onset of bradyarrhythmias. Conclusion Severe bradyarrhythmias are relatively frequent in patients with AFD cardiomyopathy, but do not represent a mode of presentation, occurring late in the disease course and always in the context of advanced cardiac involvement. Monitoring QRS variations over time may help to identify patients requiring pacing.