title: Morphology and pathophysiology of target anatomical sites for ablation procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation: part II: pulmonary veins, caval veins, ganglionated plexi, and ligament of Marshall.
abstract: The inadequate long-term efficacy of anti-arrhythmic therapy has been one of the main reasons for the development of non-pharmacological interventions for patients with atrial fibrillation such as catheter and surgical ablation. This has greatly increased interest in the functional morphology and electrophysiological properties of the atria and related anatomical structures. This article is the second of a two-part review that aims to provide anatomical and functional details concerning some of the principal anatomical sites commonly targeted by ablative procedures for treating atrial fibrillation, and covers pulmonary veins, ganglionated plexi, caval veins, and the ligament of Marshall. It also provides some general information about site-specific ablation procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological, and Translational Sciences, Unit of Pathology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. Electronic address: domenico.corradi@unipr.it.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corradi
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Callegari
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gelsomino
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Macchi
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014684:Venae Cavae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Ablation; Atrial fibrillation; Caval veins; Ganglionated plexi; Ligament of Marshall; Pulmonary veins