We present the case of a 59-year-old patient with persistent atrial fibrillation, referred for atrial fibrillation ablation. The procedure was performed with the help of NAVX 3D mapping system (Saint Jude Medical) and iLAB Ultra ICE Plus ultrasound imaging catheter (Boston Scientific). The catheter permits cross-sectional images perpendicular to catheter's long axis. From inside left atrial app...

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risk of stroke due to development of left atrial (LA) thrombus [1]. Thromboembolic risk is assessed by clinical risk scores (CHA2DS2-VASc). However, these scores have limited predictive value. Echocardiography studies have shown that physiologic factors such as decreased atrial blood flow and increased stasis (LA velocities <0.2m/...

background: atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in patients with rheumatic mitral and other valve diseases who are candidates for valve repair surgeries. conversion of rhythm to sinus has positive effects on quality of life and lower use of medications. the aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the radiofrequency ablation maze iii procedure in the treatment of a...

BACKGROUND In animal studies, atrial fibrillation has been shown to shorten the atrial refractory period and impair its rate adaptation. However, little is known about the effects of chronic atrial fibrillation on atrial electrophysiology and its recovery course in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS Nineteen patients, mean age 64 +/- 14 years, with chronic atrial fibrillation of more than six months...

A 64-year-old man manifested a stroke two years after restoration of sinus rhythm through a radiofrequency catheter ablation. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated the presence of a thrombus in the left atrial appendage. Left atrial volumes and different parameters of atrial emptying showed that, despite the persistence of the sinus rhythm, atrial mechanical function was severely impair...

atrial fibrillation (af) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiothoracic surgery. af following coronary artery bypass graft (cabg) is associated with an increase in morbidity, mortality, hemodynamic instability, thromboembolic events, severity of heart failure and icu and hospital stay. corticosteroids have a variety of beneficial effects on recovery after elective surgery. this study was de...

A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital for investigation of a suspected mass in the left atrium (LA) and asymmetric septal hypertrophy of the left ventricle without significant obstruction detected by screening transthoracic echocardiography of atrial fibrillation (AF). Transesophageal echocardiography revealed dynamic smoke-like echo filling in LA and a cauliflower-like, large (22×16 m...

A 64-year-old African American woman presented for defibrillator threshold testing (DFTs) after a recent hospitalization for ventricular fibrillation terminated by her ICD. She had a known history of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, rheumatic mitral valve disease s/p mitral valve replacement and a redo after subsequent endocarditis. In preparation for the DFTs, the patient unde...