Left atrial remodeling in patients with atrial septal defects

Abstract

Background: Information regarding left atrial (LA) substrate in conditions predisposing to atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited. Objective: This study sought to characterize the left atrial remodeling that results from chronic atrial stretch caused by atrial septal defect (ASD). Methods: Eleven patients with hemodynamically significant ASDs and 12 control subjects were studied. The following were evaluated using multipolar catheters: effective refractory period (ERP) at 7 sites, P-wave duration (PWD), conduction time, and inducibility of AF. LA electroanatomic maps were created to determine atrial activation, and regional conduction and voltage abnormalities. Results: Patients with ASDs showe..