Methods and results
One hundred one patients with newly implanted CIEDs from 2010 to 2014 at our institute were included. PWD was measured at the time of device implantation via a body-surface electrocardiogram. AHRE was defined as any episode of sustained atrial tachyarrhythmia (>170 bpm) recorded in the device’s memory. Patients were divided into an AHRE group (n=34) and non-AHRE group (n=67) in accordance with the presence or absence of AHRE within one year of device implantation and compared. The mean age was 75 ± 11 years old. A greater incidence of sick sinus syndrome (p =0.05) and longer PWD (62.6 ± 13.1 vs. 38.2 ± 13.9 ms;p <0.0001) were apparent in the AHRE group. Multivariate analysis revealed that PWD was an independent predicting factor for new-onset AHRE (odds ratio: 1.11; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–1.17;p <0.0001). In the logistic regression analysis, the receiver-operating characteristic curve (area under the curve: 0.90;p <0.001) suggested the best cutoff value for PWD was 48 mm, achieving a sensitivity of 73.8% and specificity of 77.9%.