Key result
Atrial fibrillation in human heart specimens was associated with larger and more variable atrial volumes (59.6-227.1 mL) compared to controls (65.1-115.9 mL).
Observational
Should not change AF management; leaves open validation of volume variability as a remodeling biomarker.
BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes a continuum of atrial anatomical remodeling. METHODS: Using a library of perfusion-fixed human hearts, specimens with AF were compared to controls. During this preliminary assessment study, direct measurements were taken of atrial volume, pulmonary vein (PV) circumference, and left atrial (LA) wall thicknesses. RESULTS: Hearts with AF typically had larger atrial volumes, as well as a much larger variation in volume compared to controls (range of 59.6-227.1 mL in AF hearts compared to 65.1-115.9 mL in controls). For all hearts, right PVs were larger than left PVs (mean: 171.4 ± 84.6 mm([2]) for right and 118.2 ± 50.1 mm([2]) for left, P < 0.005). LA wall thicknesses ranged from 0.7 mm to 3.1 mm for both AF and control hearts. CONCLUSIONS: Hearts with AF had a large range of sizes which is consistent with the progression of atrial remodeling during AF. The large range of thicknesses will influence the amount of energy needed to create transmural lesions during ablation procedures.
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D et al. (2011) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation vs. Controls (hearts without atrial fibrillation) was evaluated on Atrial volume, pulmonary vein circumference, and left atrial wall thicknesses. Atrial fibrillation in human heart specimens was associated with larger and more variable atrial volumes (59.6-227.1 mL) compared to controls (65.1-115.9 mL).
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