Myocyte changes and their left atrial distribution in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation related to mitral valve disease

EHRA/HRS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus on atrial cardiomyopathies: definition, characterization, and clinical implication

“…This contractile syncytium is organized in well-defined bands that establish non-uniform anisotropic propagation of the atrial impulse. 9,11,26 The only clear light-microscopic morphological difference between atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes is in size. 27 In paraffin-embedded human specimens, the cardiomyocyte transverse diameter is ×12 mm in the LAs vs. 20 -22 mm in the ventricles.…”

“…27 In paraffin-embedded human specimens, the cardiomyocyte transverse diameter is ×12 mm in the LAs vs. 20 -22 mm in the ventricles. 11,28 Atrial cardiomyocytes are mainly mononucleated; a minor fraction possess two or more nuclei. The nucleus is usually centrally located, with granular and/or condensed chromatin.…”

Regional left atrial voltage in patients with atrial fibrillation

“…4, 5 Recent data suggest that this fibrosis may be regional: a study of patients with mitral valve disease and AF suggest that the posterior wall may be especially rich in fibrosis when compared to the left atrial appendage. 6 In addition, *Corresponding author: Jeffrey E. Olgin, MD, 500 Parnassus Ave, MUE 434, San Francisco, CA, 94143-1354, olgin@medicine.ucsf.edu, phone (415) 476-5706, fax (415) 476-6260. There are no potential conflicts of interest to disclose complex fractionated electrograms (CFAEs) recorded during atrial fibrillation, potentially indicative of an underlying fibrotic substrate, have demonstrated to be promising targets for the ablation of atrial fibrillation.…”

Histopathological Features of the Resected Left Atrial Appendage as Predictors of Recurrence After Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation in Valvular Heart Disease

“…7 The radial approach is a modified version of the maze procedure, which maintains physiologic atrial transport function, atrial mechanical contraction, and blood supply; 4 only the LAA is resected. Pathological changes in resected LAA have been studied, 8,9 but there have been few reports associating the histopathological assessment with the postoperative recurrence of AF. 10 The aim of the present study was to clarify the criteria for pathological evaluation of the LAA in surgical materials as a means of predicting the recurrence of AF after surgery.…”