Epicardial Breakthrough Waves During Sinus Rhythm: Depiction of the Arrhythmogenic Substrate? [Original Articles]

Conclusions:
During SR, EBW are present in over a third of patients, particularly in thicker parts of the atrial wall. Features of SR EBW indicate that muscular connections between endo- and epicardium underlie EBW and that a slight degree of endo-epicardial asynchrony required for EBW to occur is already present in some areas during SR. Hence, an anatomic substrate is present, which may enhance the occurrence of EBW during atrial fibrillation, thereby promoting atrial fibrillation persistence.

Source: Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology - September 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Mouws, E. M. J. P., Lanters, E. A. H., Teuwen, C. P., van der Does, L. J. M. E., Kik, C., Knops, P., Bekkers, J. A., Bogers, A. J. J. C., de Groot, N. M. S. Tags: Electrophysiology, Mechanisms, Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease, Valvular Heart Disease Original Articles Source Type: research