Tissue properties of the fossa ovalis as they relate to transseptal punctures: a translational approach.

Objectives: This study focused on how catheter size affects transseptal puncture, what transseptal indication means, and whether the swine model is predictive for humans.

Background: Transseptal puncture is a common procedure that gains access to the left atrium, allowing percutaneous mitral valve repair, left atrial appendage closure, and left-sided ablations. The basic approach has not changed in many years; however, the frequency of transseptal punctures and the size of devices are increasing with emerging treatments.

Cardiac remodeling as a consequence of atrial fibrillation: An anatomical study of perfusion-fixed human heart specimens.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes a continuum of atrial anatomical remodeling.

Methods: Using a library of perfusion-fixed human hearts, specimens with AF were compared to controls. During this preliminary assessment study, direct measurements were taken of atrial volume, pulmonary vein (PV) circumference, and left atrial (LA) wall thicknesses.

MRI assessment of pacing induced ventricular dyssynchrony in an isolated human heart.

This study demonstrates the capabilities of MRI in the assessment of cardiac pacing induced ventricular dyssynchrony, and the findings support the need for employing more physiological pacing. A human donor heart deemed non-viable for transplantation, was reanimated using an MR compatible, four-chamber working perfusion system. The heart was imaged using a 1.