Interatrial conduction times in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients with normal atrial volume and their correlation with areas of local prolonged bipolar electrograms

Abstract Background Recent evidence has shown that the presence of abnormal substrate can be demonstrated also among patients with “lone” AF. Objectives Interatrial conduction slowing is likely to characterize patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and it could be correlated to the left atrium area of prolonged local bipolar endocardial electrograms. Methods P-wave duration (PWD), amplified PWD and endocavitary interatrial conduction time (IACT), were analyzed in 60 patients; 30 undergoing de novo ablation for paroxysmal AF with normal atrial volumes and without any other cardiac disease and 30 of similar age undergoing electrophysiological study for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia or atrioventricular re- entrant tachycardia. In patients with AF, voltage maps and local bipolar electrograms (LBE) duration map were evaluated. Results Although PWD was 135.5 ms identified the subjects who experienced AF with 90% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Conclusion A subclinical interatrial conduction disturbance is demonstrable in subjects with paroxysmal AF and normal left atrial volume. IACT has a good correlation to the areas of abnormal LBE in the left atrium. IACT >135 ms identified subjects who have experienced AF.