Sinus node functions, sinoatrial conduction, atrial conductivity after incipient paroxysms of atrial fibrillation and flutter in patients with ischemic heart disease

AIM: Prediction of the rate of recurrent paroxysms of atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter (AFl) after the first arrhythmia episode; determination of relevant antiarrhythmic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 157 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) complicated by new episodes of AF and AFl entered the study. After the initial episode and 1-2 arrhythmia recurrences all the patients have undergone assessment of hemodynamics, atrial conduction of excitation, sinus node function using transesophageal pacing. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 42 patients having no recurrent paroxysms of AF or AFl for at least 6 months; 115 patients of group 2 had at least one episode of recurrent arrhythmia for 6 months after the first paroxysm. RESULTS: Patients of group 2 vs those of group 1 had a significantly longer first episode, more frequent occurrence of calcinosis of mitral and/or aortic valve, more serious systolic and diastolic dysfunctions and most frequent retrograde atrial excitation conduction after the first paroxysm. CONCLUSION: In detection of only disturbed intraatrial conduction in IHD patients after the first paroxysm of AF and AFl predicted are clinical recurrences of arrhythmia with the recurrence-free period more than 6 months. In retrograde atrial conduction of excitation combined with systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, sinus node dysfunction prognosis was made of more frequent episodes of AF and AFl.