Histological validation of atrial structural remodelling in patients with atrial fibrillation

作者：Yuya Takahashi, Takanori Yamaguchi, Toyokazu Otsubo, Kana Nakashima, Kodai Shinzato, Ryosuke Osako, Shigeki Shichida, Yuki Kawano, Akira Fukui, Atsushi Kawaguchi, Shinichi Aishima, Tsunenori Saito, Naohiko Takahashi, Koichi Node · 发表于：European Heart Journal · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1093/eurheartj/ehad396 · 被引用次数：128 · 研究领域：Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes、Cardiac Fibrosis and Remodeling、Cardiac pacing and defibrillation studies

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aimed to histologically validate atrial structural remodelling associated with atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation and endomyocardial atrial biopsy were included (n = 230; 67 ± 12 years old; 69 women). Electroanatomic mapping was performed during right atrial pacing. Voltage at the biopsy site (Vbiopsy), global left atrial voltage (VGLA), and the proportion of points with fractionated electrograms defined as ≥5 deflections in each electrogram (%Fractionated EGM) were evaluated. SCZtotal was calculated as the total width of slow conduction zones, defined as regions with a conduction velocity of <30 cm/s. Histological factors potentially associated with electroanatomic characteristics were evaluated using multiple linear regression analyses. Ultrastructural features and immune cell infiltration were evaluated by electron microscopy and immunohistochemical staining in 33 and 60 patients, respectively. Fibrosis, intercellular space, myofibrillar loss, and myocardial nuclear density were significantly associated with Vbiopsy (P = .014, P < .001, P < .001, and P = .002, respectively) and VGLA (P = .010, P < .001, P = .001, and P < .001, respectively). The intercellular space was associated with the %Fractionated EGM (P = .001). Fibrosis, intercellular space, and myofibrillar loss were associated with SCZtotal (P = .028, P < .001, and P = .015, respectively). Electron microscopy confirmed plasma c...