二维斑点追踪超声心动图在老年心力衰竭患者诊断中的价值

目的探讨二维斑点追踪超声心动图在老年心力衰竭患者诊断中的应用价值。方法 2012年10月至2014年10月在该院就诊的老年心力衰竭患者49例设为观察组。同期在该院接受治疗的非心力衰竭的老年患者49例设为对照组。通过实时三维超声心动图测量两组被检人员的左心房主动射血分数(LAAEF)、左心房被动射血分数(LAPEF)、左心房整体射血分数(LAEF)、左心房最小容积(LAVmin)、左心房最大容积(LAVmax)以及左心房收缩前容积(LAVpre)水平,并且应用二维斑点超声技术测定各房壁的左心室舒张早期峰值平均应变率(m SRe)、舒张晚期峰值平均应变率(m SRa)以及收缩期峰值平均应变率(m SRs)水平。结果观察组LAAEF、LAPEF、LAEF都低于对照组(P0.01)。观察组LAVmin、LAVmax、LAVpre都高于对照组(P0.01)。较对照组而言,观察组的m SRs、m SRe下降,m SRa上升(P0.01)。结论老年心力衰竭患者的左心房功能均存在不同程度的下降,二维斑点追踪超声心动图能够及时准确地反映老年心力衰竭患者左心房功能发生的变化,从而有利于早期展开治疗。     

心房颤动患者经导管射频消融术后不同时期左心房结构及功能的动态变化

目的:观察射频消融术对阵发性和持续性心房颤动(房颤)患者左心房结构和功能不同时期的影响。方法:临床诊断房颤的79名患者作为研究对象(阵发性房颤组65例、持续性房颤组14例),随访1年,行超声心动图检查监测左心房最大面积(左心房左右径×上下径)、左心房最大容积(LAVmax)、左心房最小容积(LAVmin)、左心房P容积(LAVp)等左心房结构指标,并通过左心房被动射血分数(LAPEF),左心房主动射血分数(LAAEF),左心房排空容积等指标探讨左心房功能的变化。体检非房颤人群22例作为对照组。全部数据采用SPSS17.0软件包进行统计学分析。结果:①消融术前检测显示:房颤组左心房最大面积、LAVmax、LAVmin均高于正常对照组(P0.05);并且持续性房颤组左心房增大更显著(P0.05)。房颤组LAAEF低于正常对照组(P0.05),其中持续性房颤组下降更明显(P0.05)。LAPEF及左心房排空容积各组间差异无统计学意义。②两组房颤患者术后左心房最大面积、LAVmax较术前均有变小(P0.05),但两者出现变化的时间点不同,阵发性房颤组在术后1年明显变小(P0.05),持续房颤组在术后近期就出现明显变小(P0.05)。两组LAAEF、LAPEF、排空容积等较术前均无显著性变化。③持续性房颤组左心房最大面积术后近期、中期变化率大于阵发性房颤组(P0.05),但至术后1年变化率两者差异无统计学意义。结论:经导管射频消融术能缩小房颤患者增大的左房结构,近、中期在持续性房颤患者更加显著;经导管射频消融术本身对左心房功能无明显影响。     

实时三维超声心动图评价心肌梗死患者左心房功能

目的应用实时三维超声心动图技术评价心肌梗死患者左心房功能改变。方法分别对37例陈旧性心肌梗死患者和50名健康人进行二维超声心动图和三维超声心动图检查。测量左心房射血分数(LAEF)、左心室舒张末容积(LVEDV)、左心室收缩末容积(LVESV)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、二尖瓣E/e'。采用成组t检验比较两组指标。结果与健康组比较,心肌梗死患者左心室容积、左心房内径、二尖瓣环内径、二尖瓣E/e'和LAEF[(11.5±5.6)kdyne比(4.8±2.7)kdyne]均明显增加(均为P<0.05)。结论实时三维超声心动图技术能够用以评价左心房功能。左心室功能减低的心肌梗死患者表现为左心房收缩功能代偿增强。     

实时三维超声心动图评价无症状饮酒者左心房功能的变化

目的:应用实时三维超声心动图(RT-3DE)评价无症状饮酒者随着饮酒时间因素改变对左心房功能的影响。方法:选取30例体检健康不饮酒男性作为对照(A组);61例无临床症状男性饮酒者根据饮酒时间长短分为2组:30例饮酒时间5~9年者为B组,31例饮酒时间10~20年者为C组。对3组行常规超声及RT-3DE检查。常规测量参数包括左室舒张末期内径(LVDd)、舒张末期室间隔厚度(IVSTd)、左室射血分数(LVEF)及短轴缩短率(FS)。RT-3DE测量参数包括左心房最大容积(LAVmax)、最小容积(LAVmin)、左心房主动收缩前容积(LAVp)、左心房被动射血分数(LAPEF)、左心房主动射血分数(LAAEF)、左心房整体射血分数(LATEF)。结果:B组所有指标与A组比较无统计学意义(均P0.05)。C组LAVmin、LAVmax、LAVp、LAAEF、LATEF与A、B组比较明显增大(均P0.05),LAPEF明显减少(均P0.05)。结论:RT-3DE可以有效评价无症状饮酒者随着饮酒时间因素改变左心房功能的变化情况。     

实时三维超声心动图和超声斑点追踪成像技术在老年冠心病患者中的应用价值

目的 探究实时三维超声心动图(RT3DE)和超声斑点追踪成像技术(STI)在老年冠心病诊断及PCI术后疗效评价的应用价值。方法 选择2019年5月至2021年11月于盘锦辽油宝石花医院心胸外科治疗的老年冠心病患者152例为冠心病组及健康体检者102例为对照组，观察RT3DE参考指标：左心房最大容积(LAVmax)、左心房最小容积(LAVmin)、左心房收缩前容积(LAVp),左心房主动射血分数(LAAEF)、左心房被动射血分数(LAPEF);STI参考指标：左心房整体收缩期平均峰值应变率(mSRs)、左心房舒张早期平均峰值应变率(mSRe)、左心房舒张晚期平均峰值应变率(mSRa)。结果 冠心病组mSRs(3.19±0.67 vs 3.82±0.73)、mSRa(-4.57±0.62 vs-3.91±0.53)、LAAEF[(33.79±4.96)%vs(36.10±5.12)%]明显低于对照组(P<0.01),冠心病组mSRe、LAVmax、LAVp、LAVmin、LAPEF明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。RT3DE和STI指标联合检测诊断冠心病的ROC曲线下面积(AUC...     

美托洛尔联合螺内酯及美托洛尔联合缬沙坦治疗孤立性阵发性心房颤动的疗效观察

目的该项研究旨在明确美托洛尔联合螺内酯或联合缬沙坦治疗孤立性阵发性心房颤动是否能有效抑制心房电重构及结构、功能重构。方法随机分成四组,美托洛尔组(A组)、美托洛尔+螺内酯组(B组)、美托洛尔+缬沙坦组(C组)、对照组(D组)。服药1年后比较各组进展为持续性心房颤动的发生率,同一组患者治疗前后及治疗一年后不同组间左心房整体射血分数(LAEFtotal)、左心房被动射血分数(LAEFpassive)、左心房主动射血分数(LAEFactive)、左心房最大容积指数(LAVI)、心房颤动发作频率、心房颤动持续时间是否存在显著差异。结果 A组、B组及C组1年后进展为持续性心房颤动的发生率低于D组(P0.05),A组、B组、C组间无统计学差异(P0.05)。各干预组服药1年后较服药前A组LAEFtotal、LAEFpassive、LAEFactive、LAVI无明显变化(P0.05),心房颤动发作频率、心房颤动持续时间较前降低(P0.05)。B组及C组LAEFtotal、LAEFpassive、LAEFactive明显升高(P0.05),LAVI、心房颤动发作频率、心房颤动持续时间明显降低(P0.05)。治疗1年后,A组、B组和C组各指标均低于D组(P0.05),B组与C组优于A组(P0.05)。结论美托洛尔联合螺内酯或联合缬沙坦治疗孤立性阵发性心房颤动可有效控制心房颤动反复发作,缩短心房颤动持续时间,能有效抑制左心房结构及功能重构,可延缓阵发性心房颤动进展为持续性心房颤动。     

左心房追踪技术评价高血压心房颤动和孤立性心房颤动患者左心房功能

目的应用左心房追踪技术(LAVT)评价高血压心房颤动(房颤)和孤立性房颤患者左心房功能。方法实验组为50例房颤患者,分为孤立性房颤组24例,高血压房颤组26例,对照组为25例健康成人,用M型超声测量左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESD)、舒张末期室间隔厚度(IVSTd)、舒张末期左心室后壁厚度(LVPWTd),用校正立方体积法(Teich)计算左心室射血分数(LVEF);二维超声测量患者收缩末期左心房前后径(LAD1)、上下径(LAD2)、横径(LAD3),收缩末期右心房上下径(RAD1)、横径(RAD2),应用LAVT测量左心房最大面积(LAAmax)、左心房最大容积(LAVmax)、最小容积(LAVmin)、收缩期左心房充盈速率峰值(dv/dtS)、舒张早期左心房排空速率峰值(dv/dtE)及舒张晚期左心房排空速率峰值(dv/dtA),并计算左心房排空分数(LAEF)。比较左心房的收缩及舒张功能。结果孤立性房颤组LAD1:(42.43±4.24)mm、LAD2:(60.22±5.79)mm、LAD3:(47.90±4.86)mm、RAD1:(55.04±5.06)mm、RAD2:(43.25±2.56)mm、LAAmax、LAVmax、LAVmin、dv/dtE与正常对照组LAD1:(33.81±2.96)mm、LAD2:(47.29±6.79)mm、LAD3:(39.04±3.53)mm、RAD1:(44.34±4.12)mm、RAD2:(36.06±3.16)mm、LAAmax、LAVmax、LAVmin、dv/dtE比较均明显升高(均为P<0.05),孤立性房颤组LAEF、dv/dtS、dv/dtA与正常对照组比较均明显减低(均为P<0.05),LVEDD、LVESD、IVSTd、LVPWTd、LVEF与正常对照组比较差异均无统计学意义(均为P>0.05)。与正常对照组比较,高血压房颤组的LAD1:(45.47±7.33)mm、LAD2:(61.35±7.39)mm、LAD3:(49.27±5.25)mm、RAD1:(56.18±4.36)mm、RAD2:(45.13±3.21)mm、LAAmax、LAVmax、LAVmin、dv/dtE均明显升高,LAEF、dv/dtS、dv/dtA均明显减低(均为P<0.05),LVEDD、LVESD、IVSTd、LVPWTd、LVEF差异均无统计学意义(均为P>0.05)。与孤立性房颤组相比,高血压房颤组LAAmax、LAVmax、LAVmin均明显升高(均为P<0.05),LAEF、dv/dtS、dv/dtE、dv/dtA均明显减低(均为P<0.05),LVEDD、LVESD、IVSTd、LVPWTd、LVEF、LAD1、LAD2、LAD3、RAD1、RAD2差异均无统计学意义(均为P>0.05)。结论 AF患者左心房功能明显下降高血压房颤患者左心房功能损害较孤立性房颤患者明显。LAVT能准确、快速的反映房颤患者左心房大小及功能的变化,在评价左心房功能方面有较高的重复性。     

环肺静脉隔离术对阵发性心房颤动患者左心房大小和功能的影响

目的:探讨环肺静脉隔离术对阵发性心房颤动(Af)患者左心房大小和功能的影响。方法:28例阵发性Af患者择期行环肺静脉隔离术,根据Af复发与否分为复发组(5例)和未复发组(23例);同期选择窦性心律患者30例作为对照组。应用超声心动图对所有患者在窦性心律下于术前、术后24h、1个月和3个月时测量左心房最大容积(LAVmax)、左心房最小容积(LAVmin)、二尖瓣环晚期运动峰值速度(A峰)、肺静脉收缩期波(S峰)、舒张期波(D峰)、心房血流逆向波(PVa峰),并计算左心房射血分数(LAEF)。结果:①左心房大小:复发组和未复发组患者消融术前LAVmax和LAVmin均较对照组增加(均P<0.05),在术后24hLAVmin均增加(均P<0.01),LAVmax无明显变化;未复发组术后1个月时LAVmax、LAVmin均减小至正常(均P<0.05),术后3个月时未再进一步减小,而复发组术后1个月和3个月恢复至术前大小。②左心房功能:复发组和未复发组消融术前LAEF和A峰值均较对照组降低(均P<0.05),术后24h左心房功能指标均较术前明显降低(均P<0.05);术后1个月时复发组和未复发组左心房功能指标较术后24h均明显增加(均P<0.01),2组PVa峰、S峰和D峰值均恢复至术前正常水平(均P<0.05),LAEF和A峰在未复发组增加至正常水平(P<0.05),而在复发组仅恢复至术前水平;术后3个月时左心房功能指标较术后1个月时均未再有明显变化。结论:环肺静脉隔离术可以逆转阵发性Af造成的左心房大小和功能异常,而且长期对左心房大小和功能无负面影响。     

三维动态心脏模型评估射血分数保留的心力衰竭患者左心房容积和功能的价值

目的：以心脏磁共振成像（CMR）为金标准，探讨三维动态心脏模型（DHM）评估射血分数保留的心力衰竭（HFpEF）患者左心房容积和功能的价值。方法：前瞻性选取2020年9月至2021年11月因气促、胸闷、乏力、运动耐量下降就诊于中国医学科学院阜外医院患者96例，并根据HFA-PEFF评分分为HFpEF组（HFA-PEFF≥5分，n=36）与对照组（HFA-PEFF评分≤4分，n=60）。使用二维超声心动图（2DE）、DHM、CMR检查两组患者左心房最大容积（LAVmax）、左心房最小容积（LAVmin）、左心房射血分数（LAEF）三个参数，并比较2DE、DHM单个心动周期测值（DHM＿s）和DHM自动测量的多个心动周期测值的均值（DHM＿ave）与CMR所测上述参数的差异，及相关性和一致性，并评价DHM技术的重复性。结果：HFpEF组和对照组2DE所测的LAVmax、LAVmin均低于同组CMR测值，2DE所测的LAEF均高于同组CMR测值，DHM所测的LAVmin均低于同组CMR的测值，差异具有统计学意义（P均<0.01）。在对照组，DHM与CMR所测的LAVmax、LAVmin...     

三维超声心动图及斑点追踪成像评价左心房不同构型阵发性房颤患者左心房功能的临床研究

目的应用实时三维超声心动图(3D-RTE)及二维斑点追踪成像(2D-STI)评价左心房不同构型的阵发性房颤患者(PAF)左心房结构和功能。方法入选2017年1月至2018年12月于解放军总医院第七医学中心收治的阵发性房颤患者98例。根据二维超声左心房容积指数(LAVI-2D)将房颤患者分为左心房容积正常组(LAN组,LAVI<34 ml/m^2,50例)和左心房容积扩大组(LAE组,LAVI≥34 ml/m^2,48例)。选择同期38例临床资料匹配者为对照组。实时三维超声心动图测定左心房最大容积(LAVmax),左心房最小容积(LAVmin),左心房容积指数(LAVI-3D)和左心房总排空分数(LATEF)。斑点追踪显像获取左心房纵向时间-应变曲线,记录收缩期平均应变(SSL)和各时相平均应变率(mSRs、mSRe、mSRa)。结果PAF患者LAVI平均水平高于对照组,且LAE组LAVI水平高于LAN组,LAVI-3D测量值较LAVI-2D测量值高(P均<0.05)。PAF患者LATEF平均水平低于对照组,且LAE组LATEF水平小于LAN组(P均<0.05)。与对照组比较,PAF患者mSSL、mSRs、mSRe和mSRa水平均降低,LAE组mSSL、mSRs、mSRe和mSRa水平小于LAN组,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。结论三维超声心动图较二维测量左心房容积大,能更准确评估左心房容积。左心房容积无明显增大房颤患者,已出现左心房功能减低。左心房扩大者应变指标进一步下降,左心房功能减低明显。三维超声心动图及斑点追踪成像能早期评价房颤患者左心房功能异常。     

Relation between postoperative mortality and atrial fibrillation before surgical revascularization--3-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Preoperative atrial fibrillation is one of the predictors of increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgical revascularization, and consequently, prolongs the duration of stay in the ICU and of overall hospitalization. METHODS: The study included 3000 patients subjected to primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting from 2000 to 2004. Of the 3000 patients, 5.8 % (n = 174) had electrocardiographically documented, preoperative atrial fibrillation. To evaluate the relationship between preoperative AF and postoperative outcome, all patients were observed for about three years. RESULTS: Patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation were older (P < 0.05), had a lower ejection fraction (P < 0.001), a higher incidence of heart failure (P < 0.001), hypertension (P < 0.001), and more coexistent morbidities including diabetes (P < 0.05), obturative pulmonary disease (P < 0.0001) and mild renal failure (P < 0.001). Statistical analysis showed that survival rates at 6 and 30 days, 6 and 12 months, and 3 years following surgical revascularization of patients with vs. those without preoperative atrial fibrillation were: 96.4% vs. 98.1%, and 94.5% vs. 97.3% (P = ns), 86.2% vs. 93.0% (P < 0.03), and 74.7% vs. 91.0% (P < 0.02), and 70.7% vs. 90.6% (P < 0.01). After 3 years' observation there was a survival difference of 19.9%. We showed that preoperative atrial fibrillation triple increased the risk of postoperative AF and was an independent risk factor for in-hospital death (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative atrial fibrillation is a predictor of postoperative complications, including death, and of a significant reduction in patients' long-term survival. Patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation should be considered as high-risk patients with potential postoperative complications and should be well protected with antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant therapy.     

Left atrial reduction. A new concept in surgery for chronic atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Mitral valve disease often is accompanied by chronic atrial fibrillation, especially when the left atrium is enlarged. Mitral valve surgery alone cannot resolve the arrhythmia in most cases. Several surgical techniques have been proposed. We have used surgical left atrial reduction and pulmonary vein isolation to eliminate chronic atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease. The aim of this paper is to report our experience with this new surgical concept. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twenty-three patients (18 women and 5 men, mean age 44.1 14.7 years) with mitral valve disease and chronic atrial fibrillation for more than 3 months underwent surgery. Mitral valvuloplasty was performed in 11 cases, and mitral valve replacement in 12. Left atrial reduction was used to eliminate chronic atrial fibrillation in all cases. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. Three patients (13%) had recurrent atrial fibrillation between postoperative days 6 and 8. No atrioventricular conduction disturbances were observed. An important reduction in left atrial size was evident on echocardiography (4.8 0.77 vs. 8.1 1.47 cm, p < 0.01). In 3 to 36 months of follow-up (13.9 11 months), all patients preserved sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial reduction seems to be an effective and easily applied alternative method for treating mitral valve disease with chronic atrial fibrillation.     

Left atrial appendage emptying velocity does not predict postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is a common complication of cardio-pulmonary bypass and improved pre-operative risk assessment could help guide prophylactic therapy. This study examined whether reduced left atrial appendage flow velocities measured by transoesophageal echocardiography pre-operatively in patients in sinus rhythm predicted development of postoperative atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients who underwent transoesophageal echocardiography for clinical indications with measurements of left atrial appendage velocities within twelve months prior to cardio-pulmonary bypass were retrospectively identified. Postoperative records were reviewed and the patients divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of clinically significant atrial fibrillation during hospitalization following cardio-pulmonary bypass. Thirty-six patients (mean age 61.1 +/- 14.8 years, 18M/18F) were included in the study. The overall incidence of atrial fibrillation in the cohort was 17/36 patients (47%). Mean left atrial appendage emptying velocity was 50.8 +/- 23.3 cm/s2 (range 26-119) in the patients with sinus rhythm only and 41.5 +/- 16.7 cm/s2 (range 16-76), in the patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation (P=ns). CONCLUSIONS: In our patient population there was no significant difference in left atrial appendage emptying velocity measured by transoesophageal echocardiography in patients with and without postoperative atrial fibrillation. Pre-operative measurement of left atrial appendage emptying velocity cannot be relied upon to risk stratify patients prior to cardio-pulmonary bypass.     

Anatomic atrial remodeling after mitral valve surgery in permanent atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve pathology is frequently associated with atrial dilation and fibrillation. Mitral surgery allows immediate surgical atrial remodeling, and in those cases in which sinus rhythm is achieved, it is followed by late remodeling. The aim of this study was to investigate the process of postoperative atrial remodeling in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation who undergo mitral surgery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In a prospective randomized trial, 50 patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and dilated left atrium, repaired surgically, were divided into two groups: group I, 25 patients with left atrial reduction and mitral surgery, and group II, 25 patients with isolated valve surgery. The characteristics of both groups were considered homogeneous in the preoperative assessment. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 31 months, 46% of the patients in group I versus 18% in group II regained sinus rhythm (p = 0.06). Atrial remodeling with shrinkage occurred in patients who recovered sinus rhythm, with larger changes in group II (-10.8% left atrial volume reduction in group I compared to -21.5% in group II; p < 0.05). The atrium became enlarged again in patients whose atrial fibrillation did not remit (+16.8% left atrial volume increase in group I versus +8.4% in group II; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral surgery produces a postoperative decrease in atrial volume, especially when reduction techniques are used. Late left atrial remodeling was influenced by the type of atrial rhythm and postoperative surgical volume.     

多排CT增强扫描在经皮左心耳介入封堵术中的应用与研究进展

对于出血风险高危的非瓣膜病性心房颤动患者进行左心耳介入封堵治疗能够降低患者的出血风险.传统方法学上,经食管超声心动图是术前筛查、术中指导和术后随访必不可少的工具.近些年来的研究显示,左心房多排CT增强扫描具有独特的优势,越来越受到医患双方的青睐.本文将介绍CT在左心耳介入封堵治疗的应用及其研究进展.     

The preoperative glomerular filtration rate predicts new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who undergo isolated septal myectomy

BackgroundFew studies have focused on new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who have undergone septal myectomy. Therefore, we investigated the incidence and prognosis effects of postoperative atrial fibrillation following septal myectomy in patients with hypertensive obstructive cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we investigated the relationship of estimated glomerular filtration rate and postoperative atrial fibrillation.MethodsData from 300 patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who underwent isolated surgical septal myectomy were collected from January 2012 to March 2018.ResultsThe overall incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation during hospitalization was 22.67% (68 of 300 patients). Patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation were older (P<0.001), had lower preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (P<0.001), and a larger preoperative left atrial diameter (P=0.038) compared to patients without. The preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate predicted postoperative atrial fibrillation with sensitivity and specificity of 0.824 and 0.578 (P<0.001), respectively. Multivariate regression analyses showed that age [odds ratio (OR) =1.090, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.034–1.110], an New York Heart Association functional class ≥ III (OR =2.985, 95% CI: 1.349–6.604), hypertension (OR =2.212, 95% CI: 1.062–4.608), a history of syncope (OR =3.890, 95% CI: 1.741–8.692), and the preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR =0.981, 95% CI: 0.965–0.996) were independent risk factors associated in the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Survival analysis showed that the incidence of long-term cardiovascular events was higher in the patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation than that in the patients without the condition (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was a moderate predictor of postoperative atrial fibrillation after septal myectomy. Postoperative atrial fibrillation affected the early recovery and the long-term prognoses of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who underwent septal myectomy.     

Risk factors for atrial fibrillation in adult patients in long-term observation following surgical closure of atrial septal defect type II

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to find the factors predictive for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) following surgical correction of atrial septal defect type II (ASD t.II). METHODS: 93 patients, who underwent isolated surgical closure of ASD t.II between 1990 and 2001 were included. Follow-up studies were performed 2 - 11 years after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of AF before and after surgery. Group AF (+) consisted of 29 and group AF (-) of 64 patients. All patients underwent echocardiography, electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest, and signal-averaged P-wave duration (PWD) in signal-averaged ECG. The following parameters were assessed in echocardiography: pulmonary artery systolic pressure, left and right atrial dimensions, right ventricular dimension, tricuspid and mitral regurgitation. RESULTS: Paroxysmal AF was observed in 27 patients before surgery and in 29 after surgery. Analyzing all potential risk factors we proved that PWD may independently predict occurrence of postoperative AF. CONCLUSION: PWD may independently predict postoperative AF in long-term follow-up after surgical correction of ASD t.II.     

Prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery is still high despite major advances in anesthetic, pharmacological and surgical techniques. Its precise mechanism is still totally unknown. Postoperative atrial fibrillation increases length of stay as well as hospital costs. Rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation spontaneous conversion is high. Several protocols have been developed for prevention and/or treatment of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Beta-blockers, amiodarone and atrial pacing reduce.atrial fibrillation incidence as compared to placebo. On the other hand, amiodarone and propafenone achieve a high conversion rate of installed postoperative atrial fibrillation. However, among many pharmacological options, the best treatment is still to be defined.     

Long-term results of the corridor operation for atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the long-term results of the corridor operation in the treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation refractory to drug treatment. BACKGROUND--The corridor operation is designed to isolate from the left and right atrium a conduit of atrial tissue connecting the sinus node area with the atrioventricular node region in order to preserve physiological ventricular drive. The excluded atria can fibrillate without affecting the ventricular rhythm. This surgical method offers an alternative treatment when atrial fibrillation becomes refractory to drug treatment. PATIENTS--From 1987 to 1993, 36 patients with drug refractory symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent surgery. The in hospital rhythm was followed thereafter by continuous rhythm monitoring and with epicardial electrograms. After discharge Holter recording and stress testing were regularly carried out to evaluate the sinus node function and to detect arrhythmias; whereas Doppler echocardiography was used to measure atrial contraction and size. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Maintained absence of atrial fibrillation without drug treatment after operation; preservation of normal chronotropic response in the sinus node. RESULTS--The corridor procedure was successful in 31 (86%) of the 36 patients. After a mean (SD) follow up of 41 (16) months 25 (69%) of the 36 patients were free of arrhythmias without taking drugs (mean (SE) actuarial freedom at four years 72 (9)%)). Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation recurred in three patients; paroxysmal atrial flutter (two patients) and atrial tachycardia (one patient) developed in the corridor in three others. Among the 31 patients in whom the operation was successful sinus node function at rest and during exercise remained undisturbed in 26 and 25 patients respectively (mean (SE) actuarial freedom of sinus node dysfunction at four years (81(7)%)). Pacemakers were needed in five (16%) of the 31 patients for insufficient sinus node rhythm at rest only. Doppler echocardiography showed maintenance of right atrial contribution to right ventricle filling in 26 of the 31 patients after operation in contrast to the left atrium, which never showed such contribution. His bundle ablation was performed and a pacemaker implanted in the five patients in whom the corridor operation was unsuccessful. CONCLUSION--These results substantiate the idea of this surgical procedure. Modification of the technique is, however, needed to achieve a reliable isolation between left atrium and corridor, which would make this experimental surgery widely applicable in the treatment of drug refractory atrial fibrillation.