Abstract

FUENMAYOR, Abdel J; RAMIREZ, Leonardo  and  FUENMAYOR, Abdel M. Validation of inter-atrial conduction time measurement by means of echo-Doppler. Arch. Cardiol. Méx. [online]. 2002, vol.72, n.2, pp.125-128. ISSN 1665-1731.

Background: Little is known about the correlation between the inter-atrial conduction time (IACT) measured at the electrophysiology laboratory and the interval measured from the beginning of the electrocardiographic P wave to the initiation of the A wave in the mitral Doppler signal (P-A interval). Hypothesis: IACT can be assessed by means of echo-Doppler. Methods: We studied 21 patients who were referred to our arrhythmia clinic for evaluation of supraventricular tachycardia. During the electrophysiological study, the IACT was measured from the first rapid deflection of the A wave recorded with the high right atrial catheter to the A wave recorded with the coronary sinus catheter. An independent observer measured the P-A interval. Both the electrophysiological and echo-Doppler measurements were corrected for heart rate. Results: P-A interval was slightly longer than IACT (83.36 ± 23.91 vs 80.77 ± 24.11 msec; p = 0.042), but a very good correlation was found between both measurements (r² = 0.94). Conclusions: IACT can be non-invasively assessed by measuring the P-A interval.

Keywords : Inter-atrial conduction time; Echocardiography; Doppler.

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