摘要
Objective: To measure the changes in atrial effective refractory period (ERP) after atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: In 9 patients referred to Xijing Hospital for electrophysiologyieal testing and/or radiofrequency catheter ablation, the ERP was measured before and after paroxysmal AF at drive cycle lengths of 400 and 500 ms. Results: The pre-AF ERPs at 400 and 500 ms were 213 ± 33 and 219 ± 29 ms respectively. The duration of AF was 9. 0 ± 2.1 minutes. The first post-AF ERPs at drive cycle lengths of 400 and 500 ms were 186 ± 37 ms (P < 0. 01 versus pre-AF) and 190 ± 31 ms (P <0. of vs pre-AF), respectively. The post-AF ERP returned to the pre-AF ERP value after about 9 minutes. Conclusion: In human, paroxysmal AF of several minutes is sufficient to shorten the ERP for up to 9 minutes. These data imply that the reduction in ERP may be a result of AF and suggest a mechanism by which AF may perpetuate itself.
Objective: To measure the changes in atrial effective refractory period (ERP) after atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: In 9 patients referred to Xijing Hospital for electrophysiologyieal testing and/or radiofrequency catheter ablation, the ERP was measured before and after paroxysmal AF at drive cycle lengths of 400 and 500 ms. Results: The pre-AF ERPs at 400 and 500 ms were 213 ± 33 and 219 ± 29 ms respectively. The duration of AF was 9. 0 ± 2.1 minutes. The first post-AF ERPs at drive cycle lengths of 400 and 500 ms were 186 ± 37 ms (P < 0. 01 versus pre-AF) and 190 ± 31 ms (P <0. of vs pre-AF), respectively. The post-AF ERP returned to the pre-AF ERP value after about 9 minutes. Conclusion: In human, paroxysmal AF of several minutes is sufficient to shorten the ERP for up to 9 minutes. These data imply that the reduction in ERP may be a result of AF and suggest a mechanism by which AF may perpetuate itself.
