Electrophysiological features of tachycardia atrial arrhythmia originating from pulmonary veins in patients with or without atrial fibrillation

AIM: To analyze characteristics of atrial arrhythmia originating from pulmonary veins and to discriminate atrial arrhythmia that can induce atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with or without AF. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with AF (AF group) and 84 patients without paroxysmal atrial premature beats, atrial tachycardia, and atrial flutter were analyzed in two groups. Pulmonary vein isolation is the end point. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-six pulmonary veins were isolated without complications. Coupled interval of atrial premature beats shortened more significantly in the AF group than in control group (P<0.05). Atrial tachycardia rate increased more significantly in the AF group than in control group (P<0.05). Atrial flutter is more common in the AF group than in control group. CONCLUSION: A characteristic of atrial arrhythmia originating from pulmonary veins is the shorter interval of atrial premature beats that is always a cause of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.