title: Relationship between the frequency of paroxysmal episodes of atrial fibrillation and pulmonary venous flow pattern.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic atrial fibrillation causes mechanical remodelling of the atria, but it is uncertain whether self-terminating episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) alter atrial mechanical function during normal sinus rhythm. This study was designed to assess the relationship between the frequency of symptomatic arrhythmic episodes and pulmonary venous flow (PVF) pattern among patients with PAF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effect of symptomatic arrhythmic episodes on PVF was studied in 85 patients with lone PAF (age 48+/-8 years, 66 men). PVF was measured with transthoracic echocardiography during sinus rhythm. Adequate recordings of PVF were achieved in 81 (95%) patients. Peak systolic PVF had an inverse correlation (r=-0.35, P=0.002) with the frequency of PAF episodes. The peak systolic PVF was 76+/-14 cm/s vs 62+/-12 cm/s (P=0.008) among the quartiles with the most and the least frequent episodes of PAF, respectively. There were no significant differences in the other echocardiographic measurements or demographic variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequent arrhythmic episodes significantly diminished systolic PVF among patients with PAF, suggesting that PAF results in gradual mechanical remodelling of the atrium, which may favour recurrence and perpetuation of AF and/or formation of atrial thrombus.
authors.affiliation: University of Oulu, Department of Internal Medicine, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pekka Raatikainen
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Juhani Airaksinen
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Huikuri
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000502:physiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000503:physiopathology*