Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Aging dilates atrium and pulmonary veins: implications for the genesis of atrial fibrillation
Nan-Hung Pan1, Hsuan-Ming Tsao, Nen-Chung Chang
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Taipei Medical University and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background:
Aging plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). The left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) are essential components for the genesis and maintenance of AF. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aging on the AF substrate and the initiator (PVs).
Methods:
A total of 180 patients undergoing multidetector CT were enrolled and classified into six groups according to the decade of their age. LA, LA appendage (LAA), and orifice of the four PVs were measured.
Results:
The LA anterior-posterior diameter and wall thickness became increased with aging after the age of 50 years (p < 0.001). Similarly, the LAA and four PV trunks also became dilated after the patients were > 50 years old (p < 0.001). The anterior wall was consistently thicker than the posterior wall in each group. Aging also increased both anterior and posterior wall thickness after the patients became > 50 years old. However, LA diameter, PV diameter, and LA wall thickness in the patients aged 70 to 79 years and > 80 years did not significantly differ. Age correlated well with the four PVs, LA diameter, and wall thickness with linear regression.
Conclusions:
Age significantly determines LA and PV structures. These findings show the important contributing effects involved in aging-induced AF in the general population.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Chambers of the Heart
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
