scholarly journals Echocardiography-derived total atrial conduction time (PA-TDI duration): risk stratification and guidance in atrial fibrillation management

Author(s):  
Patrick Müller ◽  
Bob Weijs ◽  
Nadine M. A. A. Bemelmans ◽  
Andreas Mügge ◽  
Lars Eckardt ◽  
...  

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To early detect and to avoid AF-related complications, several cardiac imaging modalities and approaches aim to quantify the severity of the underlying atrial cardiomyopathy (i.e., the extent of atrial remodeling). However, most established cardiac imaging modalities just incorporate single components of atrial remodeling and do not reflect the complete multifactorial process, which may contribute to their limited predictive value. Echocardiography-derived PA-TDI duration is a sophisticated echocardiographic parameter to assess total atrial conduction time and directly reflects both electrical and structural changes to the atria. Therefore, PA-TDI duration provides a more comprehensive quantification of the extent of atrial remodeling than other imaging modalities. In this article we review the role of PA-TDI duration as a marker of atrial remodeling and summarize the available data on PA-TDI duration to identify patients at risk for AF, as well as to guide AF management. Moreover, we discuss how to assess PA-TDI duration and provide recommendations on the implementation of PA-TDI duration into routine clinical care. Graphic abstract

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Schricker ◽  
Tina Baykaner ◽  
Junaid Zaman ◽  
Gautam Lalani ◽  
Kenneth Hopper ◽  
...  

Introduction: Targets for the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) are debated. In particular, recent studies questioning fractionated electrograms and lines has increased focus on AF substrates of rotors and focal impulses. These AF sources are seen in both atria, but have unknown etiology. We hypothesized that differential remodeling between the right atrium (RA), whose structural changes are largely undefined, and left atrium (LA) influence the distribution of AF sources and the outcomes from AF source ablation. Methods: In 60 patients at AF ablation (62±10 years, 60% persistent, 5% long-standing persistent), we compared size differences between RA and LA to the number of sources in each chamber and outcomes from AF source-guide ablation. We studied if a 64-pole basket differentially fit the LA or RA, judged by deformation of its splines by the atria (fig. A, B) over multiple cardiac cycles on fluoroscopy. Ablation targeted sources in both atria and was followed by PVI, with follow-up per guidelines. Results: Using baskets in both atria, 205 sources (LA 138; RA 67) were identified and ablated. Notably, the same basket in each patient was dynamically deformed by RA in 51 (85%) of cases but in the LA in only 39 (65%), indicating greater LA remodeling. The number of AF sources was higher in the presence of basket deformation of RA (n=174) than LA (n=130). LA deformation correlated with LVEF (p=0.05). Freedom from AF at 1 year was reduced in patients with no basket deformation (i.e. dilation) in LA (p=0.07) or RA (p=0.06). Notably, single procedure AF freedom was substantially lower in patients with differential remodeling (deformation in only 1 chamber) of 84% vs. 60% (fig C). Conclusions: Structural atrial remodeling influences the number of electrical rotors and focal sources in each chamber. A mismatch between right and left atrial remodeling predicts lower success from rotor ablation. These data also provide novel clinical indices of effective basket positioning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-60
Author(s):  
Maria-Luiza Toplicianu-Dimitriu ◽  
Ioan Tiberiu Nanea

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with an increasing prevalence and an enormous clinical impact due to the high stroke rate, left ventricular dysfunction and excess mortality. The occurrence and maintenance of AF is favored by both the degree of left atrial (LA) dilation and the association of fibrotic lesions of the myocardium. The LA is a marker of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with AF. Atrial remodeling can be electrical (shortening atrial refractory), structural (altering geometry and altering collagen content) and contractile (loss of contractility). Cardiac imaging plays a central role in the clinical management of this arrhythmia. Echocardiography represents the routine imaging technique used in patients with AF, with a role in detecting LA dysfunction and cardiac structural changes that predispose to this arrhythmia, also having the ability to predict the maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion and after ablation.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bobby John ◽  
Martin K Stiles ◽  
Sunil T Chandy ◽  
Pawel K Kuklik ◽  
Glenn D Young ◽  
...  

Background : Chronic atrial stretch is an important determinant for atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether relief of stretch reverses the substrate predisposed to AF is unknown. Methods: Twenty one pts (31±9 years) with mitral stenosis (MS; MVA 0.89±0.1cm 2 ) undergoing mitral commissurotomy (MC) were studied by electrophysiological or electroanatomical mapping of both atria before and after MC. Multipolar catheters were placed in the lateral RA, Crista (CT), coronary sinus (CS), septal RA and LA. We measured: effective refractory period (ERP) at the LA appendage, septal/lateral LA roof, posterior LA, inferior LA, proximal/distal CS, low/high LRA and SRA at 600 and 450ms; P wave duration (PWD); double potentials (DP) or fractionated signals (FS) along CT; and conduction time along CS, LRA, inferior LA and LA roof. Activation and voltage maps were created to evaluate changes in conduction and voltage. In 14 pts, RA studies were repeated ≥6 months after MC. Results : Following MC, there was significant increase in MVA (2.1±0.3 cm 2, p<0.0001) with decrease in LA (23±8 to 10±4 mmHg, p<0.0001) and PA pressures (38±17 to 27±14mmHg, p<0.0001) and LA volume (75±12 to 52±13ml, p<0.0001). This was associated with no change in ERP and No. of DP/FS along the CT but with reduction in PWD (139±19 to 135±20ms, p=0.047), increase in conduction velocity (CV) in LA (1.3±0.3 to 1.7±0.2m/s, p=0.005) and RA (1.0±0.1 to 1.3±0.3 m/s, p=0.007) and increase in LA voltage (1.7±0.6 to 2.5±1.0 mV, p=0.05). Late after MC, there was a further decrease in PWD and RA ERP, with increase in RA CV (1.0±0.1 to 1.3±0.2 m/s, p=0.01) and voltage (1.7±0.7 to 2.8±0.6 mV, p=0.004) but with no change in other parameters. See table for details of pts studied late after MC. Conclusion: The electrophysiologic and electroanatomic abnormalities within the atria that result from MS are reversed after MC. These observations suggest that the substrate predisposing to atrial arrhythmias may be reversed. Results


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