Abstract
We aimed to characterize electrophysiological properties of pulmonary veins (PVs) in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and atrial fibrillation (AF), and to compare them to those in patients with WPW without AF. A total of 31 patients (mean age 40 ± 15 years, 23 males) with WPW were recruited: 16 patients with (AF group) and 15 without (controls) a history of AF. The basic electrophysiological (EPS) and echocardiographic data were not different between the 2 groups. Effective refractory periods (ERPs) of PVs were significantly shorter in the AF group compared to controls: left superior (LS) PV ERP 185±29 versus 230 ± 24 ms, P = 0.001; left inferior PV ERP 198 ± 25 versus 219 ± 26 ms, P = 0.04; right superior (RS) PV ERP 207 ± 25 versus 236 ± 19 ms, P = 0.001; right inferior PV ERP 208 ± 30 versus 240 ± 19 ms, P = 0.003. Maximal veno-atrial conduction delay (i.e., the maximal prolongation of interval from stimulus delivered at PV ostia to proximal coronary sinus after extrastimulus compared to the basic drive cycle) was longer in the AF group when pacing from LSPV (69.3 ± 37.9 vs 32.6 ± 16.1 ms, P = 0.01) and RSPV (74.1 ± 25.9 vs 50.2 ± 26.5 ms, P = 0.04). During EPS, AF was induced more often in the AF group (n = 7) compared to controls (n = 1; P = 0.04). Follow-up revealed that AF recurred in 3 patients in the AF group and none of the controls. Patients with WPW syndrome and AF have shorter ERPs of PVs and greater maximal veno-atrial conduction delay compared to patients with WPW without AF. These findings suggest a potential role of PVs in the development of AF in patients with WPW.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
