Percutaneous electrophysiological interventions such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia ablation are usually monitored by fluoroscopy and electroanatomical mapping systems. Electroanatomical mapping systems lacks soft tissue contrast and adequate visualization of the target area such as right ventricular out-flow tract and left atrium. Recently, real-time 3D transoesophageal ech...

A line of block between the vena cava and the crista terminalis (CT) region is important for atrial flutter (AFL), but whether it is fixed or functional is controversial. To test the hypothesis that conduction across the CT normally occurs, but when block occurs in this region it is functional, we analyzed atrial activation during right and left atrial pacing (cycle lengths of 500--130 ms), AFL...

We describe the unusual occurrence of atrial fibrillation immediately after a seizure in a young patient with cyclosporine toxicity. The new onset atrial fibrillation was triggered by high levels of cyclosporine and possibly facilitated by the electrolyte imbalances post seizure and the presence of underlying mild left atrial enlargement.

We present the case of a patient with a giant paraesophageal hernia associated with paroxysmal postprandial atrial fibrillation that was suppressed after surgery. The imaging investigations showed the intrathoracic displacement of a large part of the stomach, which pushed the left atrial wall causing atrial fibrillation. The laparoscopic surgical repair acted as sole treatment for this condition.

Background: Left atrial size is a determinant of atrial fibrillation ablation efficacy and embolic risk. The recent advent of real-time full-volume 3DE allows now rapid measurement of chamber volume more accurately than with standard two-dimensional echocardiography as volume is reconstructed from endocardial contours of the entire chamber without making geometric assumptions. Electro-anatomic ...

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in clinical practice. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality due to its thromboembolic potential, which makes thromboembolic prevention particularly important. Warfarin has been the first-line therapy for this purpose, but it has various limitations and is often contraindicated or underutilized. The fact that thrombi are frequently located ...

BACKGROUND Besides hypertension, obesity and the metabolic syndrome have recently emerged as risk factors for atrial fibrillation. This study sought to delineate the development of an arrhythmogenic substrate for atrial fibrillation in hypertension with and without concomitant obesity and metabolic syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS We compared obese spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-obese, n=7...

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency catheter ablation guided by electroanatomical mapping is currently an important therapeutic option for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The complexity of the procedure, the several techniques used and the diversity of the patients hinder the reproduction of the results and the indication for the procedure. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and factors associate...

AIM This study was conducted to evaluate whether left atrial strain and strain rate correlate well with transesophageal parameters of stunning after atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-two consecutive patients with chronic atrial fibrillation >/=3 months and <1 year were enrolled in the study. Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography with color Doppler myocar...

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the single most important cause of death in the developing world [131]. According to a recent estimate of the World Heath Organization, 16.7 million deaths each year are caused by cardiovascular related illnesses [131]. Their early diagnosis and treatment has become vital for reducing the mortality and improving the quality of life of the patients suffer...