Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Atrial conduction”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

The supernormal phase of intraventricular conduction: normalization of intraventricular conduction of premature atrial beats.

This report presents the analysis of a case in which numerous atrial extrasystoles, associated with normal intraventricular conduction, occurred during sinus rhythm conducted with right bundle branch block. The wide overlap of coupling intervals of normally conducted extrasystoles and other extrasystoles with right bundle branch block seemed prima facie to negate the possibility of supernormality. Rearrangement of these intervals, however, to allow for the timing of right bundle branch depolarization with respect to the ensuing QRS complex, resulted in a clear cut separation of all normalized complexes from those with right bundle branch block. All normalized extrasystoles were localized in a zone very early in the cycle. This finding, in the presence of atrial extrasystoles with normal P-R intervals, strongly supports the mechanism of supernormality in this case. Alternate explanations do not appear to be tenable.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Circumferential mapping and electric isolation of pulmonary veins in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Information about the clinical efficacy and complications of the circumferential mapping and isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is still limited. The present study included 75 patients (mean age 58 +/- 11 years, 20 women) with paroxysmal (n = 69) or persistent AF (n = 6). Mapping of PVs was performed with a circumferential mapping catheter. After preferential PV-left atrium (LA) electric inputs were defined, radiofrequency ablation was performed until complete isolation of the PVs from the LA was achieved. A total of 226 PVs were mapped; 195 (86%) showed typical PV potentials. Complete isolation of PVs from the LA was achieved in 173 PVs (89%). Detailed follow-up, including 7-day Holter monitoring at 1, 4, 9, and 12 months after intervention was performed. If AF reoccurred, PVs were mapped and reisolated. After a mean follow-up period of 230 +/- 133 days, 38 of 75 patients (51%) were in sinus rhythm. At 1, 4, and 9 months of follow-up, 31 of 65 patients (48%), 36 of 53 patients (68%, p = 0.04 as compared with the first month), and 21 of 28 patients (75%, p = 0.025 as compared with the first month), respectively, were in sinus rhythm. During follow-up, 30 patients (40%) underwent a second ablation procedure due to recurrence. Recurrences were related to resumption of PV muscle-left atrial conduction (27 patients) and/or extra PV foci (12 patients) or nonablated PVs (8 patients). Complications occurred in 17 patients (22%). PV stenosis was detected in 13 patients (25% to 50% in 7 patients and >50% in 6 patients). Pericardial effusion occurred in 4 patients. It was concluded that isolation of the PV from the LA is moderately effective in the prevention of AF recurrence and could be associated with serious acute and long-term complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Cardiac conduction abnormalities produced by chronic alcoholism.

While conduction disturbances and arrhythmias are seen frequently in alcoholic cardiomyopathy, the specific relationship of these changes to ethyl alcohol has been unclear. To investigate the long-term effects of ethanol upon cardiac conduction, alcoholism was induced in 11 male mongrel dogs for 7 to 33 (mean 14.4) months by feeding up to 36 per cent of total daily calories as ethanol while adequate nutrition was maintained. His and left bundle branch electrograms in the intact anesthetized animals were recorded along with high-speed, high-frequency ECG's. While resting left ventricular pressures, volumes, and stroke outputs were normal, H-Q time was prolonged in the alcoholic animals drinking for longer than one year (35 +/- 3 msec., normals 26 +/- 1 msec.-P less than 0.001). QRS widening (to 80 +/- 4 msec.) was also evident after one year as compared with normals (62 +/- 2 msec.-P less than 0.001), and both H-Q and QRS alterations correlated with duration of intake. These changes were less after shorter ingestion periods, could not be reproduced in normals by acute ethanol infusion, and were not associated with ventricular hypertrophy, inflammation, or necrosis. No abnormalities of atrial conduction were noted. Morphologic correlates of the conduction abnormalities included accumulation of Alcian Blue-positive interstitial material as well as dilatation and localized swelling of the nonspecialized region of the intercalated discs in ventricular muscle and Purkinje fibers. Thus, prolonged ethanol intake in the absence of evident malnutrition resulted in demonstrable intraventricular conduction abnormalities and morphologic alterations which were related to duration of ingestion, consistent with a cumulative toxic effect of ethanol.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1980

[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome after 50 yars of age. Clinical and electrophysiological data].

The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is usually observed in young people and is much rarer in patients over 50 years old. This fact may be explained by the demise of a certain number of patients before the age of 50 and/or a change in the clinical features of the syndrome with age and/or of the electrophysiological properties of the normal and accessory conduction pathways. To test the latter hypothesis, the clinical and electrophysiological data of 15 patients over 50 years old with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (Group I) were compared with that of 10 patients under 30 years old with the same syndrome (Group II). The same protocol of electrophysiological investigation was used in both groups of patients. The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) between the two groups in the incidence of associated cardiac disease. This was more common in Group I (1 4 out of 15 patients) than in Group II (2 out of 10 patients). The cardiothoracic ratio was significantly higher in Group I (p < 0.01). The two groups also differed in the age at which tachycardia first occured. 9 out of 11 patients in Group I only had symptoms after thirty years. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the types of tachycardia and the frequency of attacks. There was no significant difference in QRS, PR, AH, HV intervals, in the ventriculo-atrial conduction time and the effective refractory periods of the atrium, right ventricle or atrio-ventricular node. There was no significant difference in the anterograde and retrograde refractory periods of the accessory pathways between the two groups. Reciprocating tachycardia, initiated by electrical stimulation in 7 patients in Group I and 6 patients in Group II, was conducted anterogradely to the ventricles through the normal pathway and retrogradely to the atria through the the accessory pathway. This study suggest that age-related changes in the electrophysiological properties of the accessory are not an important prognostic factor in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Usefulness of prolonged P-wave duration on signal averaged ECG in predicting atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with a reported incidence of 7-18%. The incidence of congestive heart failure, in-hospital mortality, and long-term mortality is higher in AMI patients with AF than in those without. P-wave duration (PWD) on Signal-Averaged ECG is a non-invasive marker of intra-atrial conduction disturbances, which are believed to be the main electrophysiological cause of AF. MATERIAL/METHODS: In the present study we investigated whether PWD can predict development of AF in 130 AMI patients (100 men and 30 women, aged 56.9+/-12). PWD was recorded, along with clinical and hemodynamic characteristics. RESULTS: During the observation period (up to 21 days) 22 patients (16.9%) developed AF. In univariate analysis the variables associated with development of AF were age>65, Killip class III-IV, and PWD>125 ms. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age>65 and PWD>125 ms were independently associated with AF. CONCLUSIONS: PWD measured in a very early period of AMI is a useful tool in predicting AF.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Increased P-wave dispersion predicts recurrent atrial fibrillation after cardioversion.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) will recur in a number of patients treated with cardioversion. Being able to identify reliable risk factors would be useful for making management decisions. P-wave dispersion (PWD) is an electrocardiographic measurement, which reflects a disparity in atrial conduction. P-wave dispersion has been shown to be increased in patients with paroxysmal AF. This pilot study aims to determine the role of PWD in predicting AF recurrence in patients who underwent elective cardioversion. Forty-five patients who were successfully cardioverted for persistent AF were included for study. Eighteen patients had a PWD greater than 80 ms; of these 13 had AF recurrence. Of the 25 patients with PWD less than 80 milliseconds, 12 had recurrent AF. P-wave dispersion values greater than 80 milliseconds were found more frequently in patients with AF recurrence (P = .05), supporting the use of this parameter in predicting return of AF. Larger studies are needed for further evaluation.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial flutter. Further insights into the various types of isthmus block: application to ablation during sinus rhythm.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation of type 1 atrial flutter (AF1) has recently evolved toward an anatomically guided procedure directed to isthmuses at the lower part of the right atrium (RA). However, different types of block at these isthmuses may be observed and potentially correlated with different late outcomes. In addition, because the ablation is anatomically guided, ablation should be possible during sinus rhythm. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-four patients underwent ablation of type 1 AF1 performed during ongoing tachycardia (33 patients) or sinus rhythm (11 patients). Evidence of inferior vena cava-tricuspid annulus isthmus block was assessed by changes in RA impulse propagation while pacing from both sides of the ablation site. Apparent complete isthmus block was achieved in 43 of 44 patients with 9 +/- 7 pulses. However, incomplete block mimicking complete block because of intra-atrial conduction delay but leading to a different low RA activation pattern was individualized. At the end of the procedure, isthmus block was complete in 35 patients and incomplete in 8, but since AF1 reinduction was no longer possible, patients were discharged. During a follow-up period of 12.1 +/- 5.5 months, 4 patients experienced AF1 recurrence; all had shown incomplete or no block. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed multiple-point low RA mapping is necessary to differentiate incomplete from complete isthmus block. Complete block is the best marker for long-term success of AF1 ablation, although incomplete block may be sufficient to prevent recurrence in a significant number of cases. Isthmus block is achievable during sinus rhythm, and AF1 induction is not mandatory.

Atrial Flutter↗
PubMed2006

The effect of VVI pacing on P-wave dispersion in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers.

The incidence of atrial fibrillation is higher in patients with VVI pacing mode than DDD pacing mode, but the likely mechanism is not clearly understood. We aimed to evaluate whether short-term VVI pacing increases inhomogeneous atrial conduction by using P-wave dispersion. Forty-seven patients (32 men, 15 women, mean age 54 +/- 13 years) with DDD pacemakers were enrolled in this study. Twelve-lead surface ECGs were obtained in all patients during VDD pacing after an observation period of 1 week. The mode was then changed to VVI and 12 lead surface ECGs were obtained after another 1-week observation period. P-wave durations were calculated in all 12 leads in both VDD and VVI pacing modes. The difference between the maximum and the minimum P-wave duration was defined as the P-wave dispersion (PWD = P(max) - P(min)). P-wave maximum duration (P(max)) calculated in VVI pacing mode was significantly longer than in VDD pacing mode (128 +/- 19 vs 113 +/- 16 ms, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the P-wave minimum durations (80 +/- 13 ms vs 79 +/- 12 ms, P = 0.7) between VVI pacing and VDD pacing. The P-wave dispersion value was higher in the VVI pacing mode than in the VDD pacing mode (48 +/- 8 ms vs 34 +/- 7 ms, P < 0.001). Short-term VVI pacing induces prolongation of P(max) and results in increased P-wave dispersion, which might be responsible for the development of atrial fibrillation more frequently in these patients than in those with the VDD pacing mode.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

P wave dispersion and P wave duration on SAECG in predicting atrial fibrillation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with reported incidence of 7% to 18%. The incidence of congestive heart failure, in-hospital mortality, and long-term mortality is higher in AMI patients with AF than in AMI patients without AF. P wave duration on signal-averaged ECG (PWD) and P wave dispersion on standard ECG (Pd) are noninvasive markers of intra-atrial conduction disturbances, which are believed to be the main electrophysiological cause of AF. METHODS: In the present study we investigated prospectively whether P wave duration on SAECG and P wave dispersion on standard ECG can predict development of AF in a group of patients with AMI. One hundred and thirty patients (100 men and 30 women, aged 56.9 +/- 12) with AMI were investigated. PWD, Pd, their clinical and hemodynamic characteristics were collected. RESULTS: During the observation up to 14 days, 22 patients (16.9%) developed AF. Univariate analysis variables associated with development of AF: age > 65 years, Killip class III-IV, PWD > 125 ms, and Pd > 25 ms. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age > 65 years, PWD > 125 ms, and Pd > 25 ms were independently associated with AF. CONCLUSIONS: PWD and Pd both measured in a very early period of AMI are useful in predicting AF.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cardiovascular and antiarrhythmic effects of esmolol in children.

This prospective study evaluated the cardiovascular and antiarrhythmic effects of esmolol, an intravenous beta-blocker with an extremely short half-life. Twenty patients (aged 2 to 16 years) underwent diagnostic electrophysiologic studies at rest and during beta-blockade induced with esmolol. An initial dose of 600 micrograms/kg was infused for 2 minutes and followed by an infusion of 200 micrograms/kg per minute. The dosage was increased by 50 to 100 micrograms/kg per minute every 5 to 10 minutes until a reduction of greater than 10% in either heart rate or mean blood pressure was seen. The dosage required to achieve beta-blockade ranged from 300 to 1000 micrograms/kg per minute (mean 550 micrograms/kg per minute). Electrophysiologic effects included a decrease in the rate of sinoatrial node discharge and delay in conduction through the atrioventricular node. There was no effect on His-Purkinje conduction. Atrial and ventricular effective refractory periods were unchanged. In six patients with supraventricular tachycardia, esmolol prevented induction of tachycardia in four and slowed the rate of the tachycardia in two. In four patients with ventricular tachycardia, clinical findings were improved in three and unchanged in one. Heart rate and blood pressure returned to near baseline values 10 minutes after the esmolol infusion was stopped. Adverse ventricular electrophysiologic effects were observed in two patients with biopsy evidence of myocarditis. No other adverse effects were seen. We conclude that the effects of esmolol in children are similar to those of other beta-blockers and that it is useful in the evaluation and management of pediatric tachyarrhythmias. The weight-adjusted dosage required to induce beta-blockade in children is larger than the adult dosage, and the effects of esmolol dissipate rapidly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

P-wave durations as a predictor for atrial fibrillation development in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia observed in hypertropic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and is associated with an acute deterioration. Recently, P wave dispersion (PWD) reflecting inhomogeneous atrial conduction has been proposed as being useful for the estimation of paroxysmal AF. In this study, we aimed to define the clinical, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic predictors for AF occurrence in patients with HCM. Twenty-seven patients diagnosed with HCM and having a history of documented AF attack were compared with 53 age- and gender-matched patients who had no such history. LA diameter was significantly greater and gradient in the left ventricle outflow tract was lower in patients with AF than those without AF. Maximum P-wave duration (Pmax), PWD and PTF1 values were significantly higher in patients with AF. A Pmax>134.5 ms separated the patients with AF from controls with a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 89% and a positive predictive value of 80%. APWD value>52.5 ms separated patients from controls with a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 91% and a positive predictive accuracy of 84%. An LA diameter>4.2 cm separated patients from controls with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 81%. We concluded that LA diameter and PWD values are the most significant predictors for AF occurrence in patients with HCM, and simply by measuring Pmax and PWD values, we could easily identify the patients with high risk, and prescribe the necessary treatment and follow-up protocols for such patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

The role of P wave duration as a predictor of postoperative atrial arrhythmias.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter (AFI) occur frequently after aortocoronary bypass grafting. To identify patients at highest risk, we observed 99 patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery. P wave duration was measured on a three-channel ECG. An intra-atrial conduction defect (IACD), defined by conventional criteria as a single standard lead P wave greater than 110 msec, was present in 42 patients. We also identified IACDs by measuring the total P wave duration (TPWD) from the simultaneous three-channel recording of the standard leads (IACD-TPWD). Sustained AF-AFI, less than one hour, occurred in 29/99 patients. Of the 29 patients with AF-AF1, 24 had IACD-TPWD. The mean total P wave duration of patients with and without AF-AFI was 126 msec and 116 msec, respectively (P less than .001). The mean P wave duration measured conventionally (ECG lead 2) was 114 msec in the patients with AF/-AFI and 110 msec in patients without AF/-AFI. An isoelectric interval (IEI), derived by subtracting the ECG lead 2 P wave duration from the total P wave duration measured from three simultaneous limb leads, for patients without AF-AFI was 5.9 msec vs 12.4 msec for patients with AF-AFI (P less than 0.001). Of the patients with IACD-TPWD, 24/64 (38 percent) had AF-AFIRM; of the patients without IACD-TPWD, 5/35 (14 percent) had AF-AFI (P less than .05). The mean ages, number of bypass grafts, preoperative propranolol dose and prevalence of digoxin use presence of IACD-TPWD is a sensitive but non-specific predictor of AF-AFI after bypass surgery, and a prolonged IEI enhances the specificity.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1993

Value of the P-wave signal-averaged ECG for predicting atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a commonly encountered arrhythmia in clinical practice, and it occurs frequently after cardiac surgery. The P-wave signal-averaged (SA) ECG noninvasively detects atrial conduction delay. Prior studies have described greater P-wave prolongation in patients with a history of AF, but prospective studies have not been performed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery were enrolled. The P-wave SAECG was recorded before surgery from three orthogonal leads using a sinus P-wave template and a cross-correlation function. The averaged P wave was filtered with a least-squares-fit filter and combined into a vector magnitude, and total P-wave duration was measured. Patients were observed after cardiac surgery for the development of AF. One hundred thirty patients were enrolled, and 33 (25%) developed AF 2.6 +/- 2.0 days after surgery. Patients with AF more often had left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG (P < .05) and had a lower ejection fraction (P < .05). The P-wave duration on the SAECG was significantly longer in the AF patients than in those without AF: 152 +/- 18 versus 139 +/- 17 milliseconds (P < .001). An SAECG P-wave duration > 140 milliseconds predicted AF with sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 55%, positive predictive accuracy of 37%, and negative predictive accuracy of 87%. The likelihood of experiencing AF was increased 3.9-fold if the SAECG P-wave duration was prolonged. P-wave SAECG results were independent of other clinical variables by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The P-wave duration recorded with the SAECG is a potent, accurate, and independent predictor of AF after cardiac surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Elastic fiber degeneration in Costello syndrome.

Clinical and pathological observations of a 6-month-old-boy with Costello syndrome are reported. The main clinical findings were loose skin of the neck, hands, and feet, deep palmar and plantar creases, typical "coarse" face with thick lips and macroglossia, relative macrocephaly, mental retardation, short stature, arrhythmia, large size for gestational age, and poor feeding. At age 6 months he died of rhabdomyolysis. The major pathological findings were fine, disrupted, and loosely-constructed elastic fibers in the skin, tongue, pharynx, larynx, and upper esophagus, but not in the bronchi, alveoli, aorta, or coronary arteries. Hyperplasia of collagen fibers in the skin, hyperplasia of the mucous glands in the bronchus, narrowing of the pulmonary artery, degeneration of the atrial conduction system, calcification and ballooning of skeletal muscle fibers with infiltration of macrophages, and myoglobin depositions in the collecting ducts in the kidney were also observed. The degeneration of elastic fibers was confirmed in the skin of a second Costello syndrome patient. Expression of elastin mRNA in the patient's fibroblasts was normal in size and amount. Given that elastic fiber degeneration was observed in the tissues with clinical symptoms, we speculate that a defect of elastic fibers, possibly relating to alternative splicing in the elastin gene or to defects in elastin microfibrils, might be involved in the pathogenesis of Costello syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2005

The comparative effects of telmisartan and ramipril on P-wave dispersion in hypertensive patients: a randomized clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Prolongation of P-wave times and increase of P-wave dispersion (PWD) were shown to be independent predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF). Angiotensin II receptor blockers (AARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have beneficial effects on atrial conduction times. However, there are not enough data about the comparative effects of those drugs on PWD. HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to compare the effects of telmisartan and ramipril on PWD after 6-month treatment in hypertensive patients. METHODS: In all, 100 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 and Group 2 each consisted of 50 patients, taking daily doses of 80 mg telmisartan and 10 mg ramipril, respectively. Twelve-lead surface electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded from all patients before and after 6-month drug therapy. The P-wave duration (Pdur) measurements were calculated from the 12-lead surface ECG. RESULTS: When pretreatment PWD and Pmaximum values were compared with post-treatment values, a statistically significant decrease was found in both groups after 6 months (Group 1 and 2; p < 0.001 for PWD and Pmaximum). P-wave dispersion and Pmaximum values after treatment in Group 1 were statistically significantly lower than those in Group 2 after the 6-month treatment period (p = 0.01 for PWD; p = 0.008 for Pmaximum). CONCLUSIONS: Telmisartan has a much greater lowering effect on PWD and Pmaximum values than ramipril. This finding may be important in the prevention of AF in hypertensive patients.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers↗
PubMed2004

Combined transhepatic and transjugular approach for radiofrequency ablation of an accessory pathway in a child with complex congenital heart disease.

We report on a boy with recurrent drug resistant atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. The patient had complex structural heart disease consisting of right atrial isomerism, systemic venous anomaly (mirror image orientation of the intrathoracic veins, hemiazygos continuation to the left-sided superior vena cava, with separate drainage of the hepatic veins into the left-sided atrium, congenitally corrected transposition (ccTGA), pulmonary atresia (PA), ventricular and atrial septal defects (VSD and ASD). At the age of 22 months RF ablation was performed. Access to the heart was obtained by percutaneous puncture of a hepatic vein, the left internal jugular vein, and femoral artery. Earliest retrograde atrial conduction during tachycardia was localized to the free wall of the left-sided AV groove, and ablation in this area was successful. There were no procedure-related complications. RF ablation of accessory pathway is feasible in young children with complex structural heart disease and abnormal systemic venous return. In such patients access to the heart must be planned with the knowledge of the anatomy and judicious use of the hepatic venous approach, which should be done only by experienced investigators.

Catheter Ablation↗
PubMed1984

Electrophysiologic effects and mechanisms of termination of supraventricular tachycardia by intravenous amiodarone.

Electrophysiologic studies were performed in nine patients with reentrant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) during a control period and following 5 mg/kg body weight of intravenous amiodarone (Cordarone, Labaz) administered as a slow continuous infusion over 15 to 20 minutes. All nine patients had induction of sustained PSVT during control studies. In seven of nine patients (group 1) the tachycardia was due to atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentry, and in two of nine patients (group 2) a concealed retrograde bypass tract was incorporated in the reentrant process. In group 1, following amiodarone, all seven patients lost the ability to sustain PSVT with either absence of atrial echoes (one patient) or induction of less than or equal to 3 echo beats (six patients) with termination of PSVT in the antegrade pathway (three patients) or retrograde pathway (two patients) or both (one patient). In group 2, following amiodarone, both patients lost the ability to sustain PSVT with absence of atrial echoes (one patient) on induction of a single echo beat (one patient) with block in the retrograde pathway (i.e., the concealed retrograde bypass tract). Amiodarone significantly increased (1) atrial cycle length for AV nodal Wenckebach block, (2) antegrade functional refractory period of the AV node, (3) antegrade effective refractory period of the AV node, (4) ventricular paced cycle length for ventricular atrial block, and (5) the retrograde functional refractory period of the ventricular-atrial conducting system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Extended transseptal versus conventional left atriotomy: early postoperative study.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve operations require excellent exposure. The description of an extended vertical transseptal atriotomy by Guiraudon and associates promises to provide optimal exposure of the mitral valve. A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the merits of the extended vertical transseptal atriotomy in comparison with the conventional left atriotomy for mitral valve operations. METHODS: Conventional atriotomy was performed in 24 patients (group I) whereas 65 patients underwent the extended vertical transseptal offroach (group II). They were similar in age, sex, cause of disease, New York Heart Association functional class, left atrial size, and left ventricular function. The early postoperative rhythm changes in these two groups were compared. Statistical studies to analyze the significance of incidence of junctional arrhythmia in these two groups were carried out. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients in group I, 3 had development of transient junctional rhythm after operation, lasting less than 24 hours. None had this arrhythmia at the time of discharge. Of the 65 patients in group II, junctional rhythm was documented in 25, with a rate of occurrence of 38% (95% confidence interval, 27.6% to 52.2%). At the 6-week follow-up, 3 patients still had this junctional rhythm, with a failure to recover rate of 12% (3 of 25). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical exposure was considered excellent and closure of the atriotomy was thought to be easy in group II. However, this should be balanced against a significant (38%) incidence of transient junctional rhythm in the early postoperative period in group II, probably from injury to sinus node artery or atrial conduction pathways.

Adolescent↗