The extent of complex fractionated atrial electrograms in the left atrium reflects age‐related electrical remodeling in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

Figures

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  Figure 1. CFAEs were recorded using the 3D automated software of the NavX system (St. Jude Medical Inc) and are coded in white and pink. The measured areas encircled within the black line. A, 44‐year old patient. The CFAE area was 48.9 mm2 and CFAE area index was 23.36. B, 74‐year old patient. The CFAE area was 2.8 mm2 and CFAE area index was 1.32. CFAE, complex fractionated atrial electrogram

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  Figure 2. The CFAE area decreases significantly with increasing age (30 s [43.2 ± 14.5 mm2] vs 40 s [28.6 ± 6.0 mm2] vs 50 s [22.8 ± 3.4 mm2] vs 60 s [15.3 ± 2.6 mm2] vs 70 s [10.3 ± 3.2 mm2], P = .010). Similarly, significant decrease in the CFAE area index is observed with increasing age (30 s [22.9 ± 7.4] vs 40 s [14.9 ± 3.4] vs 50 s [10.4 ± 1.6] vs 60 s [6.9 ± 1.2] vs 70 s [4.6 ± 1.4], P = .002). CFAE, complex fractionated atrial electrogram. *P < .05

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  Figure 3. Age significantly and negatively correlates with CFAE area (r = −0.322, P < .001) and CFAE index (r = −0.357, P < .001). CFAE = complex fractionated atrial electrogram; LA, left atrial. ‡ P < .001

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  Figure 4. LA size (30 s [39.4 ± 4.8 mm] vs 40 s [42.7 ± 6.9 mm] vs 50 s [44.6 ± 5.7 mm] vs 60 s [45.9 ± 5.2 mm] vs 70 s [45.4 ± 5.9 mm], P = .040) and LA volume (30 s [92.7 ± 40.9 mL] vs 40 s [114.5 ± 34.9 mL] vs 50 s [139.5 ± 44.2 mL] vs 60 s [136.0 ± 38.5 mL] vs 70 s [144.9 ± 46.5 mL], P = .009) increase significantly with age. LA, left atrial. *P < .05

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  Figure 5. LA size (r = 0.307, P = .001) and LA volume (r = 0.295, P = .001) are significantly and positively correlated with age. LA, left atrial. ‡ P < .001