Anatomic Characteristics of Extensions of Atrial Myocardium into the Pulmonary Veins in Subjects With and Without Atrial Fibrillation
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of atrial myocardium in pulmonary veins from subjects with and without a history of atrial fibrillation. A total number of 43 human hearts obtained at autopsy were studied (27 men, 16 women, mean age 67 +- 8 years).
Sixteen subjects (group 1) had a history of atrial fibrillation (11 men, mean age 66 +- 10 years). The remaining 27 subjects (group 2) were without arrhythmia (16 men, mean age 68 +- 8 years).
The presence and morphology of the myocardial extensions were studied microscopically. In conclusion, a significant interindividual variability in the presence, arrangement, and thickness of atrial myocardial sleeves into PVs was revealed.
Patients with a history of atrial fibrillation were found to have longer and thicker myocardial extensions into the upper PVs, and this finding may have implications for the catheter ablation technique.