AIM In contrast to extensive reports on the roles of Na(v)1.5 alpha-subunits, there have been few studies associating the beta-subunits with cardiac arrhythmogenesis. We investigated the sino-atrial and conduction properties in the hearts of Scn3b(-/-) mice. METHODS The following properties were compared in the hearts of wild-type (WT) and Scn3b(-/-) mice: (1) mRNA expression levels of Scn3b,...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Abnormalities in atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) times and mechanical functions are considered as independent predictors of atrial fibrillation. However, to date, effects of a single hemodialysis (HD) session and acute volume-preload changes on atrial-EMD functions have not been investigated by Tissue Doppler Echocardiography (TDE). The aim of the present study was to evalu...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the association between the history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and inter- and intra-atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). METHODS Patients diagnosed with PAF were included in this retrospective study. Patients who had a history of stroke or TIA were defined as the symptomatic group, whe...

We read the article by Okumura et al. [1] with great interest. The authors reported an ablation strategy applying manifest entrainment to treat adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive atrial tachycardia (AT) originating from the perinodal region. However, we have some concerns regarding the electrophysiological diagnosis of the tachycardia. The exclusion of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachy...

The sequence of retrograde atrial activation of premature ventricular beats was studied in 12 patients without pre-excitation syndrome. Forward and retrograde AV nodal conduction times were within normal limits. The septal low right atrial (LRA2) deflection was inscribed 25 to 55 ms (ave: 37.9 ms) before the low left atrial (LLA2) electrogram and 35 to 75 ms (ave: 53.7 ms) ahead of the high rig...

Transmembrane potentials of A-V nodal cells in isolated rabbit hearts were recorded while the route of entry of atrial activity into the A-V node was changed by stimulating the atrium at a high, constant rate on either the crista terminalis or the interatrial septum. Atrial activity arising from the interatrial septum provided a less effective input to the A-V node, as shown by the occurrence o...

Controversy attends the extent and temporal sequence of improvements in hemodynamic function resulting from the return of atrial contraction following cardioversion of supraventricular arrhythmias. Thus, mitral, left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) echograms were obtained before and one hour after conversion of supraventricular arrhythmias to normal sinus rhythm by direct current counters...

Active left atrial transport was examined acutely in five patients with mitral stenosis and sinus rhythm. To observe the effect of active left atrial contraction on subsequent left ventricular output, the timing of atrial contraction with respect to ventricular contraction was varied. Atrioventricular (A-V) dissociation produced by right ventricular pacing was used to change continually the rel...