BACKGROUND There is limited knowledge about atrial myocyte Ca(2+) handling in the failing hearts. The aim of this study was to examine atrial myocyte contractile function and Ca(2+) handling in rats with post-infarction heart failure (HF) and to examine whether aerobic interval training could reverse a potential dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS Post-infarction HF was induced in Sprague Dawley...

AIMS This study evaluates a simple echocardiographic rhythm independent expression of left atrial (LA) function, 'the left atrial function index' (LAFI). BACKGROUND Quantitation of LA function is challenging and often established parameters including peak A are limited to sinus rhythm (SR). We hypothesized that atrial function could be characterized independent of rhythm by combining analogue...

BACKGROUND Recurrent supraventricular arrhythmias may cause remodelling of the atria. The effects of radiofrequency (RF) ablation of these arrhythmias on left atrial function have not been well established. AIM To evaluate the effects of RF ablation on left atrial systolic function in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrioventricular tachycardia (AVRT). ...

Background Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) is a rare but clinically important congenital heart disease with potential affection of right ventricular(RV), right atrial (RA), left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) function that may play a role in heart failure development. Thus, we sought to assess quantitative atrial and ventricular function in EA with CMR feature tracking, and to correlate changes i...

A 58-year-old man with hypertensive cardiovascular disease and atrial flutter underwent electrophysiologic studies, including multiple intra-atrial recordings and atrial stimulation. Although the surface ECG suggested the presence of atrial flutter, intra-atrial recordings demonstrated the presence of (1) sinus-like rhythm localized to an area of approximately 5 mm in and around the region of t...

Background Left atrial (LA) performance quantification using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is of growing interest. There is evidence that declined left atrial function is associated with a poorer outcome following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF). Furthermore, the influence of PVI on left atrial performance has not yet been investigated comprehensively. This ...

giant left atria are defined as those measuring larger than 8 cm and are typically found in patients who have rheumatic mitral valve disease with severe regurgitation. enlargement of the left atrium may create compression of the surrounding structures such as the esophagus, pulmonary veins, respiratory tract, lung, inferior vena cava, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and thoracic vertebrae and lead t...

background: alcohol consumption has multiple side effects on heart which can be divided to six subgroups: heavy alcohol drinkers (80 g/day alcohol consumption) are most susceptible to cardiac complications. the aim of this study was to review alcohol side effects on heart and two present two alcoholic patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy. case report: case a: a 52 year-old man presented with ...