[Structural and electrophysiological characteristics of the heart function during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].
OBJECTIVE
To examine structural and electrophysiological predictors of the onset and establishment as chronic of cardiac fibrillation (CF).


METHODS
Echocardiography, transesophageal electrophysiological examination of the heart were performed in 420 cases of paroxysmal cardiac fibrillation (PCF). They were diagnosed as having new-onset (n = 68), rare (n = 92) and frequent (n = 260) PCF.


RESULTS
Compared to healthy subjects, PCE patients had larger size of the left atrium (LA), higher atrium/ventricle value, lower frequency threshold of arrhythmia induction, decreased left atrial effective refractory period, longer induced paroxysm and maximal atrial response. CF chronicity can be predicted with the frequency threshold of arrhythmia induction under 300 imp/min, left atrial effective refractory period under 220 ms, left atrial size over 42 mm, induction of persistent PCF.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant correlation was found between left atrial size and electrophysiological parameters of the heart characterizing arrhythmogenic "readiness" of the atria. This suggests a provoking role of left atrial dilatation in PCF.
Iskenderov
B G
BG
Rakhmatullov
F K
FK
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography