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Atrioatrial conduction after orthotopic heart transplantation
F Anselme1, N Saoudi, M Redonnet
1Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Rouen, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, France.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Electrophysiologic investigation revealed unidirectional atrioatrial conduction between donor and recipient atria in heart transplant patients. This interaction can lead to arrhythmias like atrial bigeminy and trigeminy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Orthotopic heart transplantation typically results in independent atrial activities.
- Donor and recipient atrial synchronization can occur transiently during exertion post-transplant.
Observation:
- Surface electrocardiogram suggested atrial interaction in two heart transplant recipients.
- Electrophysiologic study was conducted to investigate potential atrioatrial conduction.
Findings:
- Unidirectional conduction between native and graft atria was observed in both patients.
- This conduction occurred at rest and during various pacing rates, causing frequent atrial bigeminy and trigeminy.
Implications:
- Atrioatrial conduction post-heart transplantation may be arrhythmogenic.
- Consideration of this phenomenon is crucial for developing new pacing strategies in common electrical atrial scenarios.