Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Therapeutics

Research Article Pages 46-51

Hypothesis Generation for a Possible Mechanism of Transmural Reentry Following a Histological Appraisal of Postmortem Atria

Authors: Ciara Mahon, MSc, MRCP, Louisa O’Neill, MRCP, Mark Henesy, MRCP, Sara Kelly, MSc, Aurelie Fabre, PhD, FRCPath, FRCPI and David Keane, PhD, FHRS, FRCPI

Abstract: The relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial anatomy is well recognized and myocardial fibre orientation is known to influence conduction velocity. The precise mechanism of AF perpetuation remains elusive. The prevailing but contrasting hypotheses are re-entrant mechanisms and focal mechanisms. Support for such a unifying mechanism could be provided by finding an anatomical substrate to support epicardial to endocardial connections.

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