The pulmonary vein is known as an important source of ectopic beats, initiating frequent paroxysms of atrial fibrillation. We analyzed electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of triggered activity elicited in the isolated pulmonary vein from the guinea pig. Immediately after the termination of train stimulation (pacing cycle length of 100 ms), spontaneous activities accompanied...

Pulmonary vein stenosis occurs in 1.3% of patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation procedures for atrial fibrillation. Complete occlusion can occur and is often associated with symptoms including dyspnea and chest pain. Percutaneous intervention with angioplasty and stenting is frequently performed for pulmonary vein stenosis, but management of pulmonary vein occlusion remains challenging. ...

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and the third-leading cause of death [1]. Acute ischemic stroke accounts for approximately 70% of all strokes, and cardiac embolism accounts for approximately 15% of embolic strokes. Atrial fibrillation (AF), which is responsible for 10% of all ischemic strokes and half of all cardioembolic strokes, increases the risk of stroke by 4to 5-...

Background—During a catheter ablation procedure for selective electrical isolation of pulmonary vein (PV) ostia, the size of these ostia is usually estimated using fluoroscopic angiography. This measurement may be misleading, however, because only the projected supero/inferior ostium diameters can be measured. In this study, we analyzed 3-dimensional magnetic resonance angiographic (MRA) images...

n engl j med 354;21 www.nejm.org may 25, 2006 2289 To the Editor: In their study of circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, Oral et al. (March 2 issue)1 do not mention evaluation or discuss the potential complication of pulmonary-vein stenosis. In their definition of ostial stenosis, they rely on the electroanatomical “tube depiction” method as a gu...

BACKGROUND Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a rare congenital vascular disorder that may be asymptomatic. Left-sided connections with the innominate vein are discovered infrequently and those without an atrial septal defect are extremely rare. CASE A 66-year-old male was found to have an anomalous left pulmonary vein when a central venous catheter was inserted for management o...

The autonomic nervous system and calcium regulation play important roles in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. Calmodulin regulates the calcium homeostasis and may mediate the proarrhythmic effects of autonomic nervous agents. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of beta- and alpha-adrenoceptor agonists on the pulmonary vein electrical activity and evaluate whether calm...