Tissue Doppler imaging determining the atrial fibrillation cycle length: an alternative to the electrophysiologic study or not?

摘要

The mechanisms of and therapies for atrial fibrillation (AF) have been one of the most challenging issues for every electrophysiologist for the last few decades. From the multiple wavelet hypothesis addressed by Moe et al. there has been emerging evidence suggesting that AF is not a totally random process, but is maintained by stable rapid reentrant circuits with fibrillatory conduction throughout the atria. The standard surface electrocardiogram (ECG) might demonstrate fibrillation waves, varying in appearance from fine to coarse and from disorganized to organized, flutter-like waves.