Clinical research: electrophysiology
Electrophysiologic and electroanatomic changes in the human atrium associated with age

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Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to characterize the pattern of atrial remodeling seen with human aging.

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 3% to 4% of the population over 65 years of age. It is associated with thromboembolic complications, worsening heart failure, and increased mortality, yet the electrical and structural remodeling that occurs with human aging remains unknown.

Methods

Thirteen patients (66.4 ± 1.7 years) ≥60 years (group A), 13 patients (50 ± 2.1 years) age 31 to 59 years (group B), and 15 patients (24.7 ± 1.0 years) ≤30 years (group C) underwent conventional electrophysiologic studies and electroanatomic mapping. We measured atrial refractoriness (ERP) at the distal coronary sinus (CS); low and high lateral right atrium (LRA) and the high septal right atrium at 600, 500, and 400 ms; maximum corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT); P-wave duration (PWD); conduction time (CT) along the CS and LRA; and discrete double potentials (DP) along the crista.

Results

Aging was associated with an increase in atrial ERP, prolonged CT along the CS, increased PWD and CSNRT. There was no significant change in dispersion of refractoriness or rate adaptation. Electroanatomic mapping revealed diffuse areas of low voltage with regional conduction slowing. Both techniques demonstrated a greater number of DPs and fractionated signals along the crista terminalis with aging.

Conclusions

Aging is associated with regional conduction slowing, anatomically determined conduction delay at the crista, and structural changes that include areas of low voltage. In addition, impairment of sinus node function and an increase in atrial ERP occurred with aging. This electrical and structural remodeling may explain the increased propensity to AF with aging.

Abbreviations

AF
atrial fibrillation
CS
coronary sinus
CT
crista terminalis
ECG
electrocardiogram
ERP
effective refractory period
LRA
lateral right atrium
RA
right atrial/atrium
RFA
radiofrequency ablation
SNRTmax
sinus node recovery timemax

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Drs. Kistler and Sanders are the recipients of a Medical Postgraduate Research Scholarship from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. Dr. Stevenson is the recipient of a Postgraduate Medical Research Scholarship from the National Heart Foundation of Australia. This study was funded by a grant-in-aid from the National Heart Foundation of Australia. This work was presented by Dr. Kistler as a finalist for the Young Investigator Award at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2004.