[Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: study of the pattern of onset using dynamic electrocardiography].
We have examined 24 hours ECG Holter recordings of 22 patients without any organic heart disease and with recurrent episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) to check the possible sympatho-vagal influence on spontaneous initiation. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to average heart rate (HR) during the 24 hours recording and to the mode of onset of the arrhythmia: sympathetic (only diurnal episodes, HR greater than or equal to 75 b/min before the onset of the episode, average 24 hours HR greater than or equal to 80 b/min, progressive or sudden shortening of sinusal cycle before the onset), vagal (only nocturnal episodes, HR less than or equal to 60 b/min before the onset, average 24 hours HR less than or equal to 60 b/min, progressive or sudden lengthening of sinusal cycle before the onset of the episode) or "others" who did not show the aforementioned characteristics.


RESULTS
there are not only 2 types of patients under prevalent sympathetic or vagal control but even patients who show mixed patterns; in the sympathetic group there are significant differences between ectopic atrial beats (EAB) that start a PAF and isolated EAB in: prematurity index (0.51 +/- 0.11 vs 0.45 +/- 0.07; p less than 0.001) coupling time (381 +/- 36 ms vs 419 +/- 48 ms; p less than 0.005), sinus cycle length (PP) before the onset of the arrhythmia (761 +/- 192 ms vs 950 +/- 175 ms; p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Balducelli
M
M
Capucci
A
A
Boriani
G
G
Magnani
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology
Fibrillazione atriale parossistica: studio delle modalità d'innesco mediante elettrocardiografia dinamica.