Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between atrial fibrillation and atrial dilation and the spatial distribution pattern of connexin 40 in the atria of patients with coronary heart disease.
Methods: Twenty-six patients with coronary heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery for coronary artery bypass graft were investigated and were divided into three groups according to the left atrial size and rhythm, atrial fibrillation and left atrial dilatation (AF+AD), sinus rhythm and left atrial dilation (SR+AD) and sinus rhythm as control group SR. The spatial distribution patterns of Cx40 were evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy assay.