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Unilateral atrial fibrillation - how common is atrial divorce?

J Ker1

  • 1J Ker, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.

The Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
|July 5, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Atrial dissociation, a rare condition with two independent P-wave sets, was demonstrated using Doppler. This case shows one atrium in atrial fibrillation while the other maintains sinus rhythm.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation is the most common supraventricular tachycardia, associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
  • Atrial dissociation is a rare condition characterized by two independent sets of P-waves, potentially leading to asynchronous atrial activity.
  • This phenomenon can result in one atrium exhibiting atrial fibrillation while the other maintains normal sinus rhythm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first case of atrial dissociation diagnosed and visualized using transmitral and transtricuspid pulsed wave Doppler.
  • To illustrate the electrophysiological and hemodynamic consequences of asynchronous atrial activity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized transmitral and transtricuspid pulsed wave Doppler to assess atrial activity.
  • Analyzed electrocardiographic (ECG) findings to identify independent P-wave morphologies.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated atrial dissociation with one atrium in atrial fibrillation and the other in sinus rhythm.
  • Transmitral and transtricuspid pulsed wave Doppler provided clear visualization of the independent atrial rhythms.

Conclusions:

  • Atrial dissociation can be effectively diagnosed and characterized using Doppler echocardiography.
  • This case highlights the utility of advanced Doppler techniques in understanding complex cardiac arrhythmias.

Keywords:
atrialdissociationfibrillationunilateral

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