Congenital heart diseaseResearch article
Characterization of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Atrial Septal Defects
- Epicardial sinus rhythm mapping study
- matched
- performed during cardiac surgery
Authors' conclusion
Electrical properties in uncorrected adult ASD patients with PAF are characterized by significantly more FP and LVA compared with control patients with PAF or ASD patients without PAF. Importantly, these differences in conduction abnormalities are restricted to the LA, supporting the role of the LA in the pathophysiology of PAF in right-sided heart congenital heart disease.
Study context
- Population
- Uncorrected adult atrial septal defect (ASD) patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), ASD patients without AF, and patients without congenital heart disease but with PAFage: 57 ± 11 years, 64.6% men
- Participants
- 48 patients
- Comparison
- ASD-PAF group vs ASD-No-AF group and control group
- ASD-PAF groupn = Sixteen
- ASD-No-AF groupn = 16
- control groupn = 16
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Fractionated potentials (FPs), entire atrium
Further findings
| Outcome | ASD-PAF group | ASD-No-AF group | control group | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fractionated potentials (FPs), LA — ASD-PAF group vs ASD-No-AF group | 4.3% (IQR 2.5%–10.6%) | 2.0% (IQR 1.1%–2.6%) | 1.7% (IQR 0.6%–3.6%) | P = 0.017 |
| Fractionated potentials (FPs), LA — ASD-PAF group vs control group | P = 0.066 | |||
| Low voltage areas (LVA), LA | 11.2% (IQR 8.6%–19.4%) | 4.1% (IQR 2.6%–6.3%) | 3.9% (IQR 2.0%–8.2%) |
- Low voltage areas (LVA), left atrium (LA): P < 0.05 for all
Low voltage areas (LVA), LA
- Not greater at the right atrium
Original publication
Characterization of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Atrial Septal Defects. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. Published 8 April 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacep.2026.02.041
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it