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Formation of Low Voltage Zones on the Anterior Left Atrial Wall Due to Mechanical Compression by the Ascending Aorta
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  • Satoshi Hayashida,
  • Koichi Nagashima,
  • Sayaka Kurokawa,
  • Masaru Arai,
  • Ryuta Watanabe,
  • Yuji Wakamatsu,
  • Naoto Otsuka,
  • Seina Yagyu,
  • Kazuki Iso,
  • Yasuo Okumura
Satoshi Hayashida
Nihon University School of Medicine

Corresponding Author:satoshi.hayashida1@gmail.com

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Koichi Nagashima
Nihon University School of Medicine
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Sayaka Kurokawa
Nihon University School of Medicine
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Masaru Arai
Nihon University School of Medicine
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Ryuta Watanabe
Nihon University School of Medicine
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Yuji Wakamatsu
Nihon University School of Medicine
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Naoto Otsuka
Nihon University School of Medicine
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Seina Yagyu
Nihon University School of Medicine
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Kazuki Iso
Kawaguchi Municipal Medical Center
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Yasuo Okumura
Nihon University School of Medicine
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Abstract

BACKGROUND Although low voltage zones (LVZs) in the left atrium (LA) are seen as arrhythmogenic substrate in some patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), pathophysiologic factors responsible for LVZ formation remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To elucidate the anatomical relation between the LA and ascending aorta responsible for remodeling of the anterior LA wall. METHODS We assessed the relation between existence of LVZs on the anterior LA wall and measurements taken on 3-dimensional computed tomography images obtained from 102 patients who underwent AF ablation. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients (28%) had LVZs >1.0 cm2 on the LA wall at the LA-ascending aorta contact area (LVZ Group); no LVZs were seen in the other 73 patients (No LVZ Group). In the LVZ Group (vs. No LVZ Group), the aorta-LA angle was smaller (21.0±7.7° vs. 24.9±7.1°, P = 0.015), the aorta-left ventricle (LV) angle was greater (131.3±8.8° vs. 126.0±7.9°; P = 0.005), non-coronary cusp (NCC) diameter was greater (20.4±2.2 mm vs. 19.3±2.5 mm; P = 0.036), and the NCC was closer to the anterior LA wall (2.29±0.68 mm vs. 2.76±0.79 mm; P = 0.006). The aorta-LA angle correlated positively with patients’ body mass index (BMI) and negatively with body weight and BMI. CONCLUSION Deviation of the ascending aorta course and distention of the NCC appear to be related to the development of LA anterior wall LVZs at the LA-ascending aorta contact area. Mechanical pressure exerted by extracardiac structures on the LA along with limited thoracic space may contribute to the development of LVZs associated with AF.
21 Jan 2021Submitted to Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
27 Jan 2021Submission Checks Completed
27 Jan 2021Assigned to Editor
27 Jan 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Mar 20211st Revision Received
12 Apr 2021Submission Checks Completed
12 Apr 2021Assigned to Editor
12 Apr 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
25 Apr 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Aug 2021Published in Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology volume 32 issue 8 on pages 2275-2284. 10.1111/jce.15076