title: Spontaneous reversion of long-lasting chronic atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.
abstract: We report a case of a 72-year-old lady with rheumatic heart disease and chronic, long-lasting atrial fibrillation, who reverted spontaneously to sinus rhythm. Doppler study showed evidence of mechanical contraction of the right but not of the left atrium. This may be a sign of marked histologic changes in the atria and may require the insertion of a permanent pacemaker, because of subsequent development of sinus bradycardia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Athens General Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kolettis
authors.forename: Z S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Kyriakides
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Kremastinos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications