Electrophysiologic and electroanatomic changes in the human atrium associated with age

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to characterize the pattern of atrial remodeling seen with human aging. Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 3% to 4% of the population over 65 years of age. It is associated with thromboembolic complications, worsening heart failure, and increased mortality, yet the electrical and structural remodeling that occurs with human aging remains unknown. Methods Thirteen patients (66.4 ± 1.7 years) ≥60 years (group A), 13 patients (50 ± 2.1 years) age 31 to 59 years (group B), and 15 patients (24.7 ± 1.0 years) ≤30 years (group C) underwent conventional electrophysiologic studies and electroanatomic mapping. We measured atrial refractoriness (ERP) ..