Morphology and pathophysiology of target anatomical sites for ablation procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation. Part I: Atrial structures (atrial myocardium and coronary sinus)

International Journal of Cardiology

Volumn 168, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 1758-1768

  Corradi, Domenico ^a   Callegari, Sergio ^b   Gelsomino, Sandro ^c   Lorusso, Roberto ^d   Macchi, Emilio ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF PARMA   (Italy)

^b Fidenza Hospital   (Italy)

^c CAREGGI UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL   (Italy)

^d Thoracic Surgery Unit   (Italy)

Author keywords

Ablation; Atrial fibrillation; Atrium; Cardiomyocyte; Conduction system; Coronary sinus

Indexed keywords

CONNEXIN 40; CONNEXIN 43;

ABLATION THERAPY; ANATOMIC LANDMARK; ANATOMICAL CONCEPTS; ANATOMICAL VARIATION; ATRIOVENTRICULAR NODE ABLATION; CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURE; CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE; CELL JUNCTION; CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS; COMPLEX FRACTIONATED ELECTROGRAM ABLATION; CORONARY SINUS; CORONARY SINUS ABLATION; COX MAZE PROCEDURE; GAP JUNCTION; HEART ATRIOVENTRICULAR NODE; HEART ATRIUM FIBRILLATION; HEART ATRIUM MUSCLE; HEART ATRIUM SEPTUM; HEART BLOCK; HEART LEFT ATRIUM; HEART MUSCLE CELL; HEART MUSCLE REFRACTORY PERIOD; HEART RIGHT ATRIUM; HUMAN; LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE ABLATION; MUSCLE FIBRIL; NONHUMAN; PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY; PRIORITY JOURNAL; PROTEIN EXPRESSION; RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION; REVIEW; RIGHT ATRIAL ABLATION;

ABLATION; ATRIAL FIBRILLATION; ATRIUM; CARDIOMYOCYTE; CONDUCTION SYSTEM; CORONARY SINUS;

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION; CATHETER ABLATION; CORONARY SINUS; ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY; HEART ATRIA; HEART CONDUCTION SYSTEM; HUMANS; MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION; MYOCARDIUM;

EID: 84885586838     PISSN: 01675273     EISSN: 18741754     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.05.091     Document Type: Review

References (122)

1. D. Corradi, S. Callegari, R. Maestri, S. Benussi, and O. Alfieri Structural remodeling in atrial fibrillation Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med 5 12 2008 782 796
2. M.C. Wijffels, C.J. Kirchhof, R. Dorland, and M.A. Allessie Atrial fibrillation begets atrial fibrillation. A study in awake chronically instrumented goats Circulation 92 7 1995 1954 1968
3. H. Calkins, K.H. Kuck, and R. Cappato HRS/EHRA/ECAS expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: recommendations for patient selection, procedural techniques, patient management and follow-up, definitions, endpoints, and research trial design: a report of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Task Force on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Developed in partnership with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS); and in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Endorsed by the governing bodies of the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the American Heart Association, the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society, the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, and the Heart Rhythm Society Heart Rhythm 9 4 2012 632 696
4. P. Santangeli, L. Di Biase, and D.J. Burkhardt Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: state-of-the-art techniques and future perspectives J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 13 2 2012 108 124
5. + model: sinus rhythm and chronic atrial fibrillation Circ Res 109 9 2011 1055 1066
6. S.A. Chen, M.H. Hsieh, and C.T. Tai Initiation of atrial fibrillation by ectopic beats originating from the pulmonary veins: electrophysiological characteristics, pharmacological responses, and effects of radiofrequency ablation Circulation 100 18 1999 1879 1886
7. H. Oral, B.P. Knight, and H. Tada Pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation Circulation 105 9 2002 1077 1081
8. D. Corradi, R. Maestri, E. Macchi, and S. Callegari The atria: from morphology to function J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 22 2 2011 223 235
9. N.M. Al-Saady, O.A. Obel, and A.J. Camm Left atrial appendage: structure, function, and role in thromboembolism Heart 82 5 1999 547 554
10. S.Y. Ho, R.H. Anderson, and D. Sanchez-Quintana Atrial structure and fibres: morphologic bases of atrial conduction Cardiovasc Res 54 2 2002 325 336
11. L. Lickfett, R. Kato, and H. Tandri Characterization of a new pulmonary vein variant using magnetic resonance angiography: incidence, imaging, and interventional implications of the "right top pulmonary vein" J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 15 5 2004 538 543
12. O.M. Wazni, H.M. Tsao, and S.A. Chen Cardiovascular imaging in the management of atrial fibrillation J Am Coll Cardiol 48 10 2006 2077 2084
13. D.P. Zipes, and R.F. Knope Electrical properties of the thoracic veins Am J Cardiol 29 3 1972 372 376
14. F.H. Wittkampf, M.F. van Oosterhout, and P. Loh Where to draw the mitral isthmus line in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: histological analysis Eur Heart J 26 7 2005 689 695
15. S.Y. Ho, and D. Sanchez-Quintana The importance of atrial structure and fibers Clin Anat 22 1 2009 52 63
16. J.A. Cabrera, G. Pizarro, and D. Sanchez-Quintana Muscular architecture of the mitral isthmus: anatomical determinants for catheter ablation Europace 14 8 2012 1069 1071
17. A.E. Becker Left atrial isthmus: anatomic aspects relevant for linear catheter ablation procedures in humans J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 15 7 2004 809 812
18. Y. Cho, W. Lee, and E.A. Park The anatomical characteristics of three different endocardial lines in the left atrium: evaluation by computed tomography prior to mitral isthmus block attempt Europace 14 8 2012 1104 1111
19. R.H. Anderson, and A.C. Cook The structure and components of the atrial chambers Europace Suppl. 6 2007 vi3 vi9
20. D. Sanchez-Quintana, R.H. Anderson, and J.A. Cabrera The terminal crest: morphological features relevant to electrophysiology Heart 88 4 2002 406 411
21. C.T. Tai, and S.A. Chen Cavotricuspid isthmus: anatomy, electrophysiology, and long-term outcome of radiofrequency ablation Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 32 12 2009 1591 1595
22. I. Kholova, and J. Kautzner Morphology of atrial myocardial extensions into human caval veins: a postmortem study in patients with and without atrial fibrillation Circulation 110 5 2004 483 488
23. R.H. Anderson, N.A. Brown, and S. Webb Development and structure of the atrial septum Heart 88 1 2002 104 110
24. R. De Ponti, S.Y. Ho, J.A. Salerno-Uriarte, M. Tritto, and G. Spadacini Electroanatomic analysis of sinus impulse propagation in normal human atria J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 13 1 2002 1 10
25. M. Chauvin, D.C. Shah, M. Haissaguerre, L. Marcellin, and C. Brechenmacher The anatomic basis of connections between the coronary sinus musculature and the left atrium in humans Circulation 101 6 2000 647 652
26. M.S. Spach, and J.M. Kootsey The nature of electrical propagation in cardiac muscle Am J Physiol 244 1 1983 H3 H22
27. A.M. Alings, R.F. Abbas, and L.N. Bouman Age-related changes in structure and relative collagen content of the human and feline sinoatrial node. A comparative study Eur Heart J 16 11 1995 1655 1667
28. T.N. James, L. Sherf, G. Fine, and A.R. Morales Comparative ultrastructure of the sinus node in man and dog Circulation 34 1 1966 139 163
29. J.E. Saffitz, K.G. Green, and R.B. Schuessler Structural determinants of slow conduction in the canine sinus node J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 8 7 1997 738 744
30. R. Anderson, S. Ho, J. Wharton, and A. Becker Gross anatomy and microscopy of the conduction system W. Mandel, Cardiac arrhythmias 3rd ed. 1995 Lippincott Company Philadelphia 13 54
31. T.N. James, and L. Sherf Ultrastructure of the human atrioventricular node Circulation 37 6 1968 1049 1070
32. N.J. Severs The cardiac gap junction and intercalated disc Int J Cardiol 26 2 1990 137 173
33. S.R. Coppen, I. Kodama, and M.R. Boyett Connexin45, a major connexin of the rabbit sinoatrial node, is co-expressed with connexin43 in a restricted zone at the nodal-crista terminalis border J Histochem Cytochem 47 7 1999 907 918
34. S. Dhein Cx30 in the sinus node of murine heart: just one connexin more, or more? Evidence for a construction principle? Cardiovasc Res 85 1 2010 7 8
35. J. Ausma, N. Litjens, and M.H. Lenders Time course of atrial fibrillation-induced cellular structural remodeling in atria of the goat J Mol Cell Cardiol 33 12 2001 2083 2094
36. D. Corradi, S. Callegari, and S. Benussi Myocyte changes and their left atrial distribution in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation related to mitral valve disease Hum Pathol 36 10 2005 1080 1089
37. J. Ausma, M. Wijffels, and G. van Eys Dedifferentiation of atrial cardiomyocytes as a result of chronic atrial fibrillation Am J Pathol 151 4 1997 985 997
38. J. Ausma, M. Wijffels, F. Thone, L. Wouters, M. Allessie, and M. Borgers Structural changes of atrial myocardium due to sustained atrial fibrillation in the goat Circulation 96 9 1997 3157 3163
39. D. Corradi, S. Callegari, and S. Benussi Regional left atrial interstitial remodeling in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation undergoing mitral-valve surgery Virchows Arch 445 5 2004 498 505
40. D. Corradi, S. Callegari, and R. Maestri Differential structural remodeling of the left-atrial posterior wall in patients affected by mitral regurgitation with or without persistent atrial fibrillation: a morphological and molecular study J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 23 3 2012 271 279
41. A. Frustaci, C. Chimenti, F. Bellocci, E. Morgante, M.A. Russo, and A. Maseri Histological substrate of atrial biopsies in patients with lone atrial fibrillation Circulation 96 4 1997 1180 1184
42. J.A. Cabrera, D. Sanchez-Quintana, and S.Y. Ho Angiographic anatomy of the inferior right atrial isthmus in patients with and without history of common atrial flutter Circulation 99 23 1999 3017 3023
43. P. Kanagaratnam, S. Rothery, P. Patel, N.J. Severs, and N.S. Peters Relative expression of immunolocalized connexins 40 and 43 correlates with human atrial conduction properties J Am Coll Cardiol 39 1 2002 116 123
44. E. Dupont, Y. Ko, and S. Rothery The gap-junctional protein connexin40 is elevated in patients susceptible to postoperative atrial fibrillation Circulation 103 6 2001 842 849
45. S. Kostin, G. Klein, Z. Szalay, S. Hein, E.P. Bauer, and J. Schaper Structural correlate of atrial fibrillation in human patients Cardiovasc Res 54 2 2002 361 379
46. U. Wetzel, A. Boldt, and J. Lauschke Expression of connexins 40 and 43 in human left atrium in atrial fibrillation of different aetiologies Heart 91 2 2005 166 170
47. H.M. van der Velden, M.J. van Kempen, and M.C. Wijffels Altered pattern of connexin40 distribution in persistent atrial fibrillation in the goat J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 9 6 1998 596 607
48. L. Polontchouk, J.A. Haefliger, and B. Ebelt Effects of chronic atrial fibrillation on gap junction distribution in human and rat atria J Am Coll Cardiol 38 3 2001 883 891
49. T. Nao, T. Ohkusa, and Y. Hisamatsu Comparison of expression of connexin in right atrial myocardium in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation versus those in sinus rhythm Am J Cardiol 91 6 2003 678 683
50. P. Kanagaratnam, A. Cherian, R.D. Stanbridge, B. Glenville, N.J. Severs, and N.S. Peters Relationship between connexins and atrial activation during human atrial fibrillation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 15 2 2004 206 216
51. H.S. Duffy, and A.L. Wit Is there a role for remodeled connexins in AF? No simple answers J Mol Cell Cardiol 44 1 2008 4 13
52. N.J. Severs, A.F. Bruce, E. Dupont, and S. Rothery Remodelling of gap junctions and connexin expression in diseased myocardium Cardiovasc Res 80 1 2008 Oct 1 9 19
53. U. Schotten, S. Verheule, P. Kirchhof, and A. Goette Pathophysiological mechanisms of atrial fibrillation: a translational appraisal Physiol Rev 91 1 2011 265 325
54. J. Jalife Deja vu in the theories of atrial fibrillation dynamics Cardiovasc Res 89 4 2011 766 775
55. S. Nattel, B. Burstein, and D. Dobrev Atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation: mechanisms and implications Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 1 1 2008 62 73
56. L. Yue, J. Feng, R. Gaspo, G.R. Li, Z. Wang, and S. Nattel Ionic remodeling underlying action potential changes in a canine model of atrial fibrillation Circ Res 81 4 1997 512 525
57. D. Li, S. Fareh, T.K. Leung, and S. Nattel Promotion of atrial fibrillation by heart failure in dogs: atrial remodeling of a different sort Circulation 100 1 1999 87 95
58. K. Shinagawa, Y.F. Shi, J.C. Tardif, T.K. Leung, and S. Nattel Dynamic nature of atrial fibrillation substrate during development and reversal of heart failure in dogs Circulation 105 22 2002 2672 2678
59. A.L. Wit, and P.A. Boyden Triggered activity and atrial fibrillation Heart Rhythm 4 3 Suppl. 2007 S17 S23
60. S. Nattel, A. Maguy, S. Le Bouter, and Y.H. Yeh Arrhythmogenic ion-channel remodeling in the heart: heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation Physiol Rev 87 2 2007 425 456
61. D. Schwartzman, R. Bazaz, and J. Nosbisch Common left pulmonary vein: a consistent source of arrhythmogenic atrial ectopy J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 15 5 2004 560 566
62. +) concentration and rate adaptation of the cardiac action potential Cell Calcium 35 6 2004 557 573
63. D. Li, A. Benardeau, and S. Nattel Contrasting efficacy of dofetilide in differing experimental models of atrial fibrillation Circulation 102 1 2000 104 112
64. J. Feng, L. Yue, Z. Wang, and S. Nattel Ionic mechanisms of regional action potential heterogeneity in the canine right atrium Circ Res 83 5 1998 541 551
65. M.A. Allessie, F.I. Bonke, and F.J. Schopman Circus movement in rabbit atrial muscle as a mechanism of tachycardia. III. The "leading circle" concept: a new model of circus movement in cardiac tissue without the involvement of an anatomical obstacle Circ Res 41 1 1977 9 18
66. A.M. Pertsov, J.M. Davidenko, R. Salomonsz, W.T. Baxter, and J. Jalife Spiral waves of excitation underlie reentrant activity in isolated cardiac muscle Circ Res 72 3 1993 631 650
67. J. Jalife, O. Berenfeld, and M. Mansour Mother rotors and fibrillatory conduction: a mechanism of atrial fibrillation Cardiovasc Res 54 2 2002 204 216
68. A. Verma The techniques for catheter ablation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation: a systematic review Curr Opin Cardiol 26 1 2011 17 24
69. M.P. Smelley, and B.P. Knight Approaches to catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation Heart Rhythm 6 8 Suppl. 2009 S33 S38
70. J. Eckstein, S. Verheule, N.M. de Groot, M. Allessie, and U. Schotten Mechanisms of perpetuation of atrial fibrillation in chronically dilated atria Prog Biophys Mol Biol 97 2-3 2008 435 451
71. J.M. Williams, R.M. Ungerleider, G.K. Lofland, and J.L. Cox Left atrial isolation: new technique for the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 80 3 1980 373 380
72. J.L. Cox, R.B. Schuessler, and H.J. D'Agostino Jr. The surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. III. Development of a definitive surgical procedure J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 101 4 1991 569 583
73. J.L. Cox, J.P. Boineau, R.B. Schuessler, R.D. Jaquiss, and D.G. Lappas Modification of the maze procedure for atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. I. Rationale and surgical results J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 110 2 1995 473 484
74. M.K. Aktas, J.P. Daubert, and B. Hall Surgical atrial fibrillation ablation: a review of contemporary techniques and energy sources Cardiol J 15 1 2008 87 94
75. M.S. Feinberg, A.D. Waggoner, K.M. Kater, J.L. Cox, B.D. Lindsay, and J.E. Perez Restoration of atrial function after the maze procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation. Assessment by Doppler echocardiography Circulation 90 5 Pt 2 1994 II285 II292
76. S.M. Prasad, H.S. Maniar, and C.J. Camillo The Cox maze III procedure for atrial fibrillation: long-term efficacy in patients undergoing lone versus concomitant procedures J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 126 6 2003 1822 1828
77. S.L. Gaynor, M.D. Diodato, and S.M. Prasad A prospective, single-center clinical trial of a modified Cox maze procedure with bipolar radiofrequency ablation J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 128 4 2004 535 542
78. R.J. Damiano Jr., F.H. Schwartz, and M.S. Bailey The Cox maze IV procedure: predictors of late recurrence J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 141 1 2011 113 121
79. K. Khargi, A. Keyhan-Falsafi, B.A. Hutten, H. Ramanna, B. Lemke, and T. Deneke Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 18 2 2007 68 76
80. S. Melby, A. Lee, and R. Damiano Advances in surgical ablation devices for atrial fibrillation P. Wang, G. Naccarelli, M. Rosen, New arrhythmia technologies 2005 Blackwell Publishing, Inc. Malden, MA 233 241
81. N. Ad, S. Barnett, and E.A. Lefrak Impact of follow-up on the success rate of the cryosurgical maze procedure in patients with rheumatic heart disease and enlarged atria J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 131 5 2006 1073 1079
82. J.S. Gammie, J.C. Laschinger, and J.M. Brown A multi-institutional experience with the CryoMaze procedure Ann Thorac Surg 80 3 2005 876 880 [discussion 80]
83. T. Weimar, M.S. Bailey, and Y. Watanabe The Cox-maze IV procedure for lone atrial fibrillation: a single center experience in 100 consecutive patients J Interv Card Electrophysiol 31 1 2011 47 54
84. D.M. Luria, J. Nemec, and S.P. Etheridge Intra-atrial conduction block along the mitral valve annulus during accessory pathway ablation: evidence for a left atrial "isthmus" J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 12 7 2001 744 749
85. K.C. Wong, and T.R. Betts A review of mitral isthmus ablation Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J 12 4 2012 152 170
86. P. Jais, M. Hocini, and L.F. Hsu Technique and results of linear ablation at the mitral isthmus Circulation 110 19 2004 2996 3002
87. J. Villacastin, N. Perez-Castellano, J. Moreno, and R. Gonzalez Left atrial flutter after radiofrequency catheter ablation of focal atrial fibrillation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 14 4 2003 417 421
88. Y. Takahashi, P. Sanders, M. Rotter, and M. Haissaguerre Disconnection of the left atrial appendage for elimination of foci maintaining atrial fibrillation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 16 8 2005 917 919
89. L. Di Biase, J.D. Burkhardt, and P. Mohanty Left atrial appendage: an underrecognized trigger site of atrial fibrillation Circulation 122 2 2010 109 118
90. K.T. Konings, J.L. Smeets, O.C. Penn, H.J. Wellens, and M.A. Allessie Configuration of unipolar atrial electrograms during electrically induced atrial fibrillation in humans Circulation 95 5 1997 1231 1241
91. K. Nademanee, J. McKenzie, and E. Kosar A new approach for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: mapping of the electrophysiologic substrate J Am Coll Cardiol 43 11 2004 2044 2053
92. H. Tada, K. Yoshida, and A. Chugh Prevalence and characteristics of continuous electrical activity in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 19 6 2008 606 612
93. W.J. Li, Y.Y. Bai, and H.Y. Zhang Additional ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 4 2 2011 143 148
94. R.M. Hayward, G.A. Upadhyay, and T. Mela Pulmonary vein isolation with complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation for paroxysmal and nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis Heart Rhythm 8 7 2011 994 1000
95. M.H. Kong, J.P. Piccini, and T.D. Bahnson Efficacy of adjunctive ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms and pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Europace 13 2 2011 193 204
96. R. Kabra, and J.P. Singh Catheter ablation targeting complex fractionated atrial electrograms for the control of atrial fibrillation Curr Opin Cardiol 27 1 2012 49 54
97. M. Guden, B. Akpinar, and B. Caynak Left versus bi-atrial intraoperative saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified maze procedure for atrial fibrillation Card Electrophysiol Rev 7 3 2003 252 258
98. H. Oral, A. Chugh, and E. Good Randomized evaluation of right atrial ablation after left atrial ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms for long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 1 1 2008 6 13
99. O. Wazni, N.F. Marrouche, and D.O. Martin Randomized study comparing combined pulmonary vein-left atrial junction disconnection and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation versus pulmonary vein-left atrial junction disconnection alone in patients presenting with typical atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation Circulation 108 20 2003 2479 2483
100. A.J. Camm, P. Kirchhof, and G.Y. Lip Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: the Task Force for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Eur Heart J 31 19 2010 2369 2429
101. M. Haissaguerre, P. Jais, and D.C. Shah Right and left atrial radiofrequency catheter therapy of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 7 12 1996 1132 1144
102. H.T. Sie, W.P. Beukema, and A.R. Misier Radiofrequency modified maze in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing concomitant cardiac surgery J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 122 2 2001 249 256
103. M. Von Ludinghausen, N. Ohmachi, and C. Boot Myocardial coverage of the coronary sinus and related veins Clin Anat 5 1 1992 1 15
104. A. Habib, N. Lachman, K.N. Christensen, and S.J. Asirvatham The anatomy of the coronary sinus venous system for the cardiac electrophysiologist Europace 11 Suppl. 5 2009 v15 v21
105. R. Mlynarski, A. Mlynarska, M. Tendera, and M. Sosnowski Coronary sinus ostium: the key structure in the heart's anatomy from the electrophysiologist's point of view Heart Vessels 26 4 2011 449 456
106. G.S. Mak, A.J. Hill, F. Moisiuc, and S.C. Krishnan Variations in Thebesian valve anatomy and coronary sinus ostium: implications for invasive electrophysiology procedures Europace 11 9 2009 1188 1192
107. H. Morita, D.P. Zipes, S.T. Morita, and J. Wu The role of coronary sinus musculature in the induction of atrial fibrillation Heart Rhythm 9 4 2012 581 589
108. Y. Sun, M. Arruda, and K. Otomo Coronary sinus-ventricular accessory connections producing posteroseptal and left posterior accessory pathways: incidence and electrophysiological identification Circulation 106 11 2002 1362 1367
109. M. Antz, K. Otomo, and M. Arruda Electrical conduction between the right atrium and the left atrium via the musculature of the coronary sinus Circulation 98 17 1998 1790 1795
110. J.E. Olgin, J.V. Jayachandran, E. Engesstein, W. Groh, and D.P. Zipes Atrial macroreentry involving the myocardium of the coronary sinus: a unique mechanism for atypical flutter J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 9 10 1998 1094 1099
111. A. Kasai, F. Anselme, and N. Saoudi Myocardial connections between left atrial myocardium and coronary sinus musculature in man J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 12 9 2001 981 985
112. G. Ndrepepa, B. Zrenner, and M.A. Schneider Dissociation between coronary sinus and left atrial conduction in patients with atrial fibrillation and flutter J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 12 6 2001 623 628
113. M. Volkmer, M. Antz, J. Hebe, and K.H. Kuck Focal atrial tachycardia originating from the musculature of the coronary sinus J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 13 1 2002 68 71
114. L. Macle, D.C. Shah, P. Jais, and M. Haissaguerre Accessory pathway automaticity after radiofrequency ablation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 13 3 2002 285 287
115. M. Haissaguerre, M. Hocini, and P. Sanders Localized sources maintaining atrial fibrillation organized by prior ablation Circulation 113 5 2006 616 625
116. T. Rostock, B. Lutomsky, D. Steven, and S. Willems The coronary sinus as a focal source of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: more evidence for the 'fifth pulmonary vein'? Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 30 8 2007 1027 1031
117. A.J. Navarrete, R. Arora, J.E. Hubbard, and J.M. Miller Magnetic electroanatomic mapping of an atrial tachycardia requiring ablation within the coronary sinus J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 14 12 2003 1361 1364
118. P. Sanders, P. Jais, M. Hocini, and M. Haissaguerre Electrical disconnection of the coronary sinus by radiofrequency catheter ablation to isolate a trigger of atrial fibrillation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 15 3 2004 364 368
119. M. Haissaguerre, M. Hocini, and Y. Takahashi Impact of catheter ablation of the coronary sinus on paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 18 4 2007 378 386
120. M. Haissaguerre, M. Hocini, and P. Sanders Catheter ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation: clinical outcome and mechanisms of subsequent arrhythmias J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 16 11 2005 1138 1147
121. A.W. Teh, J.M. Kalman, and P.M. Kistler Prevalence of fractionated electrograms in the coronary sinus: comparison between patients with persistent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and a control population Heart Rhythm 7 9 2010 1200 1204
122. K. Yoshida, M. Ulfarsson, and H. Tada Complex electrograms within the coronary sinus: time- and frequency-domain characteristics, effects of antral pulmonary vein isolation, and relationship to clinical outcome in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 19 10 2008 1017 1023