title: A new echo-Doppler method to measure interatrial conduction time. Validation and clinical usefulness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess if knowing the interatrial conduction time is useful to better program atrioventricular delay in sequential pacing. The study proposes a new echo-Doppler method to measure interatrial conduction time, correlating it with electrophysiological measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The new method was tested in 30 subjects who underwent electrophysiological study. Interatrial conduction time by new method was taken during atrial pacing as the interval between the artefact of electrocardiogram pacing, shown on screen echo, and the onset of the A wave of the echo-Doppler mitral inflow. The electrophysiological measures were obtained, in the same subjects and at the same time, by a decapolar catheter in coronary sinus as intervals between the artefact of atrial pacing and the first positive left atrial deflection at proximal (C7C8) and distal (C1C2) electrodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Echo-Doppler mean time was 114±12 ms, electrophysiological time was 107±14 ms at C7C8 and 124±11 ms at C1C2. Statistical analysis showed a good correlation (r=0.92, P<0.001) and accord (mean difference=6.6 ms) between the two methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new method to measure interatrial conduction time is consistent with the electrophysiological method; it could be particularly useful in programming the best AV delay in sequential and biventricular pacing, to avoid atrial contraction against a closed mitral valve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy. lanfranco.antonini@libero.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Antonini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ficili
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pasceri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cianfrocca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galeazzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pandozi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aiello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santini
mesh_terms: D016275:Atrial Function; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged