Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
08:10

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: July 20, 2022

Association of Myocardial Degeneration With Delayed Recovery of Left Ventricular Function in Atrial

Hirotake Yokoyama1, Kazuo Sakamoto2, Takeshi Iwasaki3

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan.

Circulation Reports
|July 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation-induced cardiomyopathy (AF-CM) shows delayed left ventricular (LV) recovery after ablation when severe myocardial degeneration and DNA damage are present. Histological features predict the timeline for LV function improvement in AF-CM patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pathology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation-induced cardiomyopathy (AF-CM) is a reversible condition of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.
  • Pathological evidence linking AF-CM to specific histological changes remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between myocardial histological features and the recovery of LV function in AF-CM patients after catheter ablation (CA).
  • To assess the predictive value of histological markers for the rate of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 23 AF-CM patients undergoing endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) and CA.
  • Evaluation of EMB for myocardial fibrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and DNA damage markers (γ-H2A.X, PAR).
  • Correlation of histological findings with LVEF recovery time post-CA.

Main Results:

  • 83% of patients achieved an LVEF ≥50% with a median recovery time of 145 days.
  • Increased myocardial fibrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and DNA damage (γ-H2A.X, PAR) were associated with delayed LVEF recovery.
  • Histological scores for structural damage and DNA damage correlated with LVEF recovery time.

Conclusions:

  • Severe myocardial degeneration and DNA damage in AF-CM patients undergoing CA are linked to delayed recovery of LV systolic function.
  • Histological assessment can provide insights into the prognosis of LV function recovery in AF-CM.
Abstract

Keywords:
Arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathyAtrial fibrillationCatheter ablationLeft ventricular recoveryMyocardial damage

More Related Videos

Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction08:31

Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Published on: July 26, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
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...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...