Electroanatomic mapping of right atrial activation in patients with and without paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Inter-atrial conduction delay in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported. However, the area of this conduction delay has not been well identified. The activation time and conduction velocity over the right atrial endocardium were evaluated during sinus rhythm using the CARTO mapping technique in 6 patients with paroxysmal AF (AF group) and 11 patients without history of AF (control group). No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in the mean activation times and conduction velocities from the earliest activation site to the superior septum, His bundle area and coronary sinus ostium, or in the total activation times of the right atrium. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the local conduction velocity between 2 adjacent sites in the free wall, septum and bottom of the right atrium. This study suggests the previously reported conduction delay in the posteroseptal region in patients with paroxysmal AF might locate within the posterior inter-atrial septum.