Do atrial pacing and isoproterenol reverse atrial mechanical stunning after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation?
Atrial mechanical stunning after short-duration AF can be reversed by pacing and isoproterenol, indicating a functional contractile apparatus, while long-duration AF involves additional factors.
Atrial pacing at increased rates and isoproterenol can reverse atrial mechanical stunning associated with short-duration AF. In contrast, long-duration AF is associated with an attenuated response to these maneuvers. These findings suggest a functional contractile apparatus in the mechanically remodeled atrium caused by AF; however, with longer durations of AF, additional factors may determine atrial mechanical function.
Sanders et al. (Tue,) studied this question.