We report the case of a 43-year-old male with both giant left atrial appendage (LAA) aneurysm and drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). The patient was treated with percutaneous electrical isolation of cardiac arrhythmogenic substrate, and has been free of AF symptom over one year. Although the surgical resection of giant LAA aneurysm is mostly used to prevent systemic thromboembolism, we have performed follow-up of the giant LAA aneurysm using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after the successful catheter ablation of refractory AF. At one-year follow-up CMR, the giant LAA aneurysm showed remarkable enlargement as well as decreased contractility. Additionally, one-year follow-up TEE showed spontaneous echo contrast as an indicator of blood stasis in the giant LAA aneurysm. Those findings of giant LAA aneurysm suggest that the risk of thromboembolism may be high despite termination of AF.
Adult ; Aneurysm* ; Atrial Appendage* ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Catheter Ablation* ; Catheters* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Thromboembolism

Atrial tachycardia (AT) originating from the aortomitral junction is a very rare and challenging disease. Its arrhythmic characteristics have not been described in detail compared with the descriptions of the arrhythmic characteristics of AT originating from the other locations. Only a few case reports have documented successful ablation of this type of AT using transaortic or transseptal approaches. We describe a case with AT that was resistant to right-sided ablation near the His bundle failed and transaortic ablation at the aortomitral junction successfully eliminated.
Bundle of His ; Catheter Ablation ; Tachycardia*

PURPOSE: To optimize the timing of scans using cardiac magnetic resonance contrast-enhanced timing robust angiography (CMR-CENTRA) for electroanatomic mapping (EAM) of the right atrium (RA) and left atrium (LA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with AF (38 men; mean age, 59.6 ± 9.3 years) underwent CMR-CENTRA in preparation for EAM. The CMR-CENTRA data were acquired at five different scan times: 0 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, and 20 seconds after an intravenous injection of contrast media. To evaluate the degree of contrast enhancement, right atrial relative contrast (RA-RC) and left atrial relative contrast (LA-RC) on the CMR-CENTRA scans were assessed at each time point. The three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the RA and LA for the EAM system was performed using the CMR-CENTRA data. RESULTS: A CMR-CENTRA at a scan time of 10 seconds showed significantly greater LA-RC (P < 0.05) compared with all other scan times. A CMR-CENTRA at a scan time of 15 seconds showed significantly greater RA-RC (P < 0.05) compared with all other scan times. In the 3D reconstruction of the RA, the success rates of CMR-CENTRA at scan times of 10 seconds and 15 seconds were 18% and 100%, respectively. In the 3D reconstruction of the LA, the success rates of CMR-CENTRA at 10- and 15-second scan times were 100%. CONCLUSION: The CMR-CENTRA data acquired at 15 seconds after the injection of contrast media is appropriate for the preparation of an EAM system that is focused on the RA and LA in patients with AF.
Angiography* ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Contrast Media ; Heart Atria ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between several single nucleotide polymorphisms and atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that the phenotypes of AF patients were associated with common AF susceptibility alleles. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 659 patients (57±9 years, 76% male) with AF who underwent catheter ablation and 659 age, and sex-matched controls were genotyped for the common AF susceptibility alleles rs2200733 and rs6843082 at 4q25, rs2106261 at ZFHX3, and rs13376333 at KCNN3. The phenotypes of AF patients, including electroanatomical characteristics of the left atrium and recurrence after ablation, were compared. RESULTS: The rs2200733 variant allele carriers have larger left atrium volume (128.5±40.7 vs. 113.5±29.2 mL, p=0.020), longer PR interval (185.9±32.6 vs. 174.8±21.9 ms, p=0.018), and higher amplitude of negative P-wave terminal force in Lead V₁ (0.07±0.04 vs. 0.05±0.04 mV, p=0.015) on electrocardiography than those without the variant allele. When the patients were assigned to three groups according to the number of variant alleles (Group A: no variant, n=15; Group B: 1 variant, n=158; Group C: 2 variants, n=439), incremental prognostic value, according to the number of variant alleles, was demonstrated (Log Rank p=0.015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that persistent AF (OR 1.677, 95% CI 1.176-2.381, p=0.004) and the number of variants (OR 1.552, 95% CI 1.099-2.222, p=0.015) were independent predictors for recurrence of AF. CONCLUSION: This study showed the common AF susceptibility alleles at 4q25 and ZFHX3 are associated with electroanatomical characteristics of the left atrium and the clinical outcomes of catheter ablation in Korean patients with AF.
Alleles ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Catheter Ablation* ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Atria* ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide* ; Recurrence

Torsades de Pointes is a life-threatening arrhythmia associated with a number of causes, but is very rare among endocrinologic disorders. We report a case of male pseudohermaphroditism with hyperaldosteronism due to a 17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency presented with sudden cardiac arrest.
46, XY Disorders of Sex Development/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Adult ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac/*etiology/*pathology ; Female ; Humans

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia associated with the risk of morbidity and mortality in clinical patients. AF is considered as an arrhythmia type that develops and progresses through close connection with cardiac structural arrhythmogenic substrates. Since the introduction of catheter ablation-mediated electrical isolation of arrhythmogenic substrates, cardiac imaging indicates improved treatment outcome and prognosis with appropriate candidate selection, ablation catheter guidance, and post-ablation follow-up. Currently, cardiac computed tomography (CCT) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging are essential in the case management of AF at both pre-and post-procedural stages of catheter ablation. In this review, we discuss the roles and technical considerations of CCT and CMR imaging in the management of patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Case Management ; Catheter Ablation ; Catheters ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome

Rhythm control therapy is the main strategy for restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Sinus rhythm is better restored and maintained with antiarrhythmic drugs than with placebo treatment. In addition, catheter ablation or combination therapy is more effective than antiarrhythmic drugs for treating NVAF. However, in most clinical trials to date, rhythm control therapy has resulted in neutral clinical outcomes compared with rate control therapy. The decision to undergo rhythm control therapy should be based on age, atrial fibrillation (AF)-related symptoms, type of AF, structural heart disease, and underlying comorbidities. For now, rhythm control therapy is indicated to improve symptoms in patients with NVAF who have refractory symptoms after adequate rate control therapy. The Korean Heart Rhythm Society organized the Korean AF Management Guideline Committee and analyzed all available data, including South Korean patients with NVAF. This review article provides general principles and detailed methodology for rhythm control therapy in South Korean patients with NVAF.
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Catheter Ablation ; Comorbidity ; Drug Therapy* ; Heart Diseases ; Heart* ; Humans

Background and Objectives: Recurrence rates after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients are not low especially in non-paroxysmal AF. The diameter of left atrium (LA) has been widely used to predict the recurrence after RFCA for decades. However, LA diameter represents structural remodeling of LA and does not reflect electrical remodeling. We aimed to determine the predictive value of electrical remodeling of LA which is represented by the amount of low voltage zone (LVZ). Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of AF patients who underwent de novo RFCA in a single-center. Results: A total of 3,120 AF patients with de novo RFCA were analyzed. Among these patients, 537 patients underwent an electroanatomic mapping with bipolar voltage measurement of LA.The diameter of LA and flow velocity of LA appendage (LAA) differed significantly according to quartile group of LVZ area and percentage: patients with high LVZ had large LA diameter and low LAA flow velocity (p<0.001). Freedom from late recurrence (LR) was significantly lower in patients with high LVZ area and percentage (p<0.001). The diameter and surface area of LA had area under curve (AUC) of 0.592 and 0.593, respectively (p=0.002 for both). The predictive value of LVZ area (AUC, 0.676) and percentage (AUC, 0.671) were both superior compared with LA diameter (p=0.011 and 0.027 for each comparison). Conclusions In conclusion, LVZ can predict freedom from LR after RFCA in AF patients. Predictive value was higher in parameters reflecting electrical rather than structural remodeling of LA.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the relationship between epicardial fat accumulation and left atrial reverse remodeling by cardiac multi-detector CT (MDCT) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients underwent cardiac MDCT before and after catheter ablation of AF. Left atrial volume (LAV) and epicardial fat volume (EFV) were measured. LAV and EFV before and after catheter ablation of AF were respectively compared and the change percentages (CPs) were evaluated. RESULTS: The LAV after catheter ablation of AF was significantly less than the baseline LAV (107.5 ± 50.2 mL vs. 144.9 ± 62.6 mL, p < 0.001). The EFV after catheter ablation of AF was significantly greater than the baseline EFV (105.0 ± 35.6 mL vs. 90.1 ± 31.9 mL, p < 0.001). Mean CPs of LAV and EFV were −23.3% ± 20.8% and 15.9% ± 20.9%, respectively. There was a significantly negative relationship between the CPs of LAV and EFV (R = −0.53, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Catheter ablation of AF may result in a reduction in LAV and an increase in EFV. Left atrial reverse remodeling with a reduction in LAV may be associated with epicardial fat accumulation in patients who undergo catheter ablation of AF.

Objective: To assess the effect of left atrial appendage (LAA) isolation on LAA emptying and left atrial (LA) function using cardiac MRI in patients who underwent successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 84 patients (mean age, 59 ± 10 years; 67 males) who underwent cardiac MRI after successful catheter ablation of AF. According to the electrical activity of LAA after catheter ablation, patients showed either LAA isolation or LAA normal activity. The LAA emptying phase (LAA-EP, in the systolic phase [SP] or diastolic phase), LAA emptying flux (LAA-EF, mL/s), and LA ejection fraction (LAEF, %) were evaluated by cardiac MRI. Results: Of the 84 patients, 61 (73%) and 23 (27%) patients showed LAA normal activity and LAA isolation, respectively.Incidence of LAA emptying in SP was significantly higher in LAA isolation (91% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) than in LAA normal activation. LAA-EF was significantly lower in LAA isolation (40.1 ± 16.2 mL/s vs. 80.2 ± 25.1 mL/s, pp < 0.001) than in LAA normal activity. Furthermore, LAEF was significantly lower in LAA isolation (23.7% ± 11.2% vs. 31.1% ± 16.6%, p = 0.04) than in LAA normal activity. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the LAA-EP was independent from LAEF (p = 0.01). Conclusion LAA emptying in SP may be a critical characteristic of LAA isolation, and it may adversely affect the LAEF after catheter ablation of AF.