Does right atrial MAP duration predict 3-month maintenance of sinus rhythm after conversion of atrial fibrillation?
A shorter right atrial monophasic action potential duration after AF conversion may predict early relapse into atrial fibrillation.
Abstract. Right atrial MAP has been recorded after conversion of atrial fibrillation in 11 patients, 10 of them after DC shock and 1 after a spontaneously reverting attack of atrial fibrillation. The duration of the right atrial MAP has been of prognostic value for the 3‐month maintenance of sinus rhythm. Three patients who maintained sinus rhythm more than 3 months had a MAP duration in the same range as is found in patients free from atrial fibrillation. Six patients who relapsed into atrial fibrillation within 3 months had a MAP duration lower than the arrhythmia‐free population. In 2 patients MAP could not be recorded during sinus rhythm. The short duration of the right atrial MAP seems to reflect the arrhythmia tendency and can probably be explained by a low atrial muscle potassium content.
Olsson et al. (Tue,) studied this question.