Biatrial activation in isthmus-dependent atrial flutter

The aim of this study was to determine the biatrial activation pattern in isthmus-dependent atrial flutter (AFL) to understand the functional interatrial connections and the activation pattern of the left atrium (LA).

Biatrial activation was performed, using an electroanatomic mapping system, in 10 patients undergoing right atrial isthmus ablation for counterclockwise (n=7) or clockwise (n=3) AFL. The AFL circuit was peritricuspid and propagated slowly (0.5+/-0.2 m/s) through the isthmus. LA was activated by two wave fronts, with discrete breakthroughs in the superior, mid, or inferior atrial septum. The activation of LA overlapped 50+/-16% of the AFL cycle length. In counterclockwise AFL, at least one breakthrough was located in the inferior atrial septum. LA activation began immediately after the exit of the flutter wave from the isthmus and was directed inferosuperiorly in all patients, being synchronous with the atrial septal activation. The septal breakthroughs in patients with clockwise AFL were variably located. The direction of LA activation was superoinferior in 2 and inferosuperior in 1 patient.

The circuit of isthmus-dependent AFL was entirely in the right atrium. LA activation was a bystander and followed trans-septal conduction across the inferior coronary sinus-LA connection, Bachmann's bundle, and/or fossa ovalis.