title: Right atrial isolation associated with atrial septal closure in patients with atrial septal defect and chronic atrial fibrillation.
abstract: To restore sinus rhythm in the remaining heart chambers of six adult patients with atrial septal defect and chronic or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, electrical, right atrial isolation associated with surgical correction of the defect was performed. All but one patient was free from atrial fibrillation without medication 2-25 months after operation. The isolated right atrial appendages showed intrinsic rhythmical activity in five patients and no electrical activity in one. Right atrial isolation is a safe and effective procedure that abolishes atrial fibrillation in patients with arrhythmia after surgical correction of atrial septal defect.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Cardiochirurgia, Universita degli Studi di Pavia, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minzioni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Graffigna
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vigano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016280:Atrial Function, Right / Q000502:physiology; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D003452:Cryosurgery; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D013536:Suture Techniques