Left atrial (LA) stunning after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been
reported during spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm.
1
This observation suggest that atrial stunning is a function of underlying arrhythmia
and not of the mode of cardioversion. It is known that AF causes atrial dilation,
and progressive LA enlargement occurs when AF becomes chronic.
2
Recently, it has been shown that multiple factors contribute to LA enlargement, including
the presence and persistence of arrhythmia.
3
Many reports suggest that if sinus rhythm is restored then dilation may regress.
- Dittrich H.C.
- Pearce L.A.
- Asinger R.W.
- McBride R.
- Webel R.
- Zabalgoitia M.
- Pennock G.D.
- Safford R.E.
- Rothbart R.M.
- Halperin J.L.
- Hart R.G.
on behalf of the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Investigators. Left atrial
diameter in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation an echocardiographic study.
Am Heart J. 1999; 137: 494-499
4
The Framingham Study showed a relation between LA size and the risk of stroke in
men and the risk of death in both genders.
5
,
6
,
7
Previous studies have suggested that n-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (N-ANP)
levels are elevated in patients with AF.
8
,
9
It is unclear whether AF rather than LA dilation,
10
hemodynamic impairment,
11
or another hormonal alteration, can result in the elevation of N-ANP levels.
8
The present report evaluates the changes in LA size and function after spontaneous
cardioversion of AF and their relation to N-ANP.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 3,
2003
Received in revised form:
March 3,
2003
Received:
December 17,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Excerpta Medica Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.