Global right atrial mapping delineates double posterior lines of block in patients with typical atrial flutter: a study using a three dimensional noncontact mapping system.
Double Posterior Lines of Block in Typical Atrial Flutter.


BACKGROUND
The crista terminalis (CT) has been shown to be a barrier to transverse conduction during typical atrial flutter (AFL). However, some studies have demonstrated the presence of functional block in the sinus venosa region but not at the CT. The aim of this study was to define these regions of block in the right atrium using a three-dimensional noncontact mapping system.


RESULTS
In 39 AFL patients (33 men and six women, mean age 56 +/- 13 years), a noncontact multielectrode array was used to reconstruct electrograms in the right atrium. Isochronal and isopotential propagation mapping was performed during AFL and during pacing from the coronary sinus ostium and the low lateral wall (cycle length from 600 to 240 msec) in sinus rhythm after creation of isthmus block. A single line of block along the CT area was found in 18 patients (46%). Two lines of block were found in 21 patients (54%), with the first line located along the CT area. The second was located in the sinus venosa region in 20 patients (51%) and in the lateral wall in 1 patient (3%). In all patients, the block in the lower part of the CT was observed during AFL (60%) and during pacing at all cycle lengths (48%-62%). The length and proportion of block were inversely proportional to pacing cycle length.


CONCLUSIONS
Double lines of block were frequently observed in patients with AFL, and both lines may form the posterior boundaries of the AFL circuit. Block was fixed in the lower part of the CT and was functional in the upper part of the CT.
Chen
Jian
J
Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. jian.chen@med.uib.no
Hoff
Per Ivar
PI
Erga
Knut Ståle
KS
Rossvoll
Ole
O
Ohm
Ole-Jørgen
OJ
D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006329:Heart Conduction System; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity