Formation of Low Voltage Zones on the Anterior Left Atrial Wall Due to
Mechanical Compression by the Ascending Aorta
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.