title: Uncommon etiologies of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: A newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation warrants a full investigation of the etiopathogenesis of this common arrhythmia. In the adult population, the most frequently associated conditions are systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease, mitral valvulopathy, congestive heart failure, and hyperthyroidism. Nevertheless, more infrequent and even rare, yet correctable, etiologies should not be overlooked. We describe three patients who presented to our hospital with a first episode of atrial fibrillation and who subsequently were demonstrated to have very unusual cardiovascular pathologies subtending this common arrhythmia. In all three cases, trans-esophageal echocardiography was instrumental in reaching an accurate diagnosis that was later confirmed at surgery.
authors.affiliation: Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raggi
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Vasavada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Parente
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prasada
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Sacchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003310:Cor Triatriatum / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery