Site specificity of transverse crista terminalis conduction in patients with atrial flutter

The causes of transcristal conduction (TC) in patients with atrial flutter (AFL) are unknown.

In two groups of patients referred for AFL ablation, 36 had cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) dependent flutter (Group I) and 24 had lower (n = 21) or upper loop reentry (n = 5) (Group II). After ablation, isthmus block was evaluated by pacing from the coronary sinus (CS) and low lateral right atrium and by alternative techniques, including mapping with electrodes spanning the CTI or electroanatomic mapping. After bidirectional CTI block was verified, 21/36 (58%) in Group I showed TC with CS pacing, including low TC in 16 (including 11 showing "pseudo" CTI conduction), higher TC in 6 and multiple breaks in 3. However, 8 with low TC during CS pacing showed unidirectional block by pacing outside of the CS os. Twelve (50%) in Group II had TC during CS pacing after bidirectional CTI block, with low TC in 5 (2 mimicking residual CTI conduction) and higher breaks in 9. There was no significant difference in the incidence of TC during CS pacing after CTI block between groups. In seven autopsied hearts, the muscle orientation between the proximal CS musculature and Eustachian ridge were examined. Muscular connections between the CS and Eustachian ridge coursing toward the orifice of inferior vena cava were found in one of the hearts.

It is concluded that in patients with bidirectional CTI block, pacing from the CS may be associated with TC mimicking a conduction leak through the isthmus. Pacing just outside the CS os helps distinguish pseudo from true isthmus block.