Atrial amyloidosis: an arrhythmogenic substrate for persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Structural changes, like atrial fibrosis, may increase the likelihood of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurring in response to triggering events. The influence of isolated atrial amyloidosis (IAA) is largely unknown.

Methods And Results: Right atrial appendages (1 or 2 entire cross sections) were obtained from 245 patients undergoing open-heart surgery.

Determinants and consequences of atrial fibrosis in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication following open-heart surgery (OHS). Increased atrial fibrosis may indicate the presence of an intrinsic arrhythmogenic substrate. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether atrial fibrosis is associated with increased prevalence of AF after OHS.