title: Conversion of infarction-associated atrial fibrillation by restoration of atrial perfusion.
abstract: We report a patient who presented with new onset atrial fibrillation in the setting of inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Cardiac catheterization revealed proximal occlusion of the left circumflex artery. Balloon angioplasty and stenting restored flow to a large left atrial branch, with prompt conversion of the rhythm to atrial flutter, and then to sinus rhythm. To our knowledge this represents the first demonstration of restoration of sinus rhythm by reversing left atrial ischemia in the setting of STEMI.
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Blanton
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: Carey D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kimmelstiel
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D056989:Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome