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Atrial flutter, a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, is primarily characterized by reentrant circuits in the right atrium. However, atypical forms of atrial flutter present distinct challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we examine three noteworthy clinical cases of atypical atrial flutter, which offer compelling evidence indicating the implication of the lesser-known Septopulmonary Bundle (SPB). This inference is based on the identification of distinct electrocardiographic patterns observed in these patients and their favorable response to catheter ablation, which is a standard treatment for atrial flutter. Remarkably, in each case, targeted ablation at the anterior portion of the left atrial roof effectively terminated the arrhythmia, thus providing further support for the hypothesis of SPB involvement. These insightful observations shed light on the potential significance of the SPB in the etiology of atypical atrial flutter and introduce a promising therapeutic target. We anticipate that this paper will stimulate further exploration into the role of the SPB in atrial flutter and pave the way for the development of targeted ablation strategies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Peri-mitral atrial flutters frequently develop post-atrial fibrillation ablation or postcardiac surgery. The determinants of the flutter wave morphology on surface ECG have been less studied., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 24 patients with peri-mitral atrial flutters who underwent biatrial high-resolution mapping at 3 institutions with LUMIPOINT software. We analyzed the overlap between the right atrial (RA) activation time and flutter wave duration and compared the proportion of the endocardial area that was activated in both atria during the flutter wave duration. Biatrial activation patterns and interatrial conductions were also identified., Results: The mean tachycardia cycle length was 264±60 ms, with RA activation time 155±45 ms (60.8±20.6% of the tachycardia cycle length), and the flutter wave duration 107±31 ms (41.6±11.7% of the tachycardia cycle length). The overlap between the RA activation time and the flutter wave duration was 102±29 ms, which takes 68.5±17.2% of the RA activation time and 95.7±9.1% of the flutter wave duration, respectively. Quantitative analysis also showed that during the flutter wave duration, more percentage of the endocardial area was activated in the RA than in the left atrium (73.0±12.7% versus 45.2±13.0%, P <0.001). We consistently observed that the RA anterior wall rightward activation corresponded to the positive component in V1 in both flutter patterns, and the RA downward activation corresponded to the positive component in the counterclockwise group or the upward activation corresponded to the negative component in the clockwise group in the inferior leads. The passive RA activation patterns were varied with spontaneous atrial scarring or previous linear ablation., Conclusions: ECG flutter wave morphology of peri-mitral atrial flutters is mainly dependent on RA activation patterns.

Background: Chymase is the major angiotensin II (Ang II)-forming enzyme in cardiovascular tissue, with an important role in atrial remodeling. This study aimed to examine the association between chymase 1 gene (CMA1) polymorphisms and atrial fibrillation (AF) in a Chinese Han population., Methods: This case-control study enrolled 126 patients with lone AF and 120 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, all from a Chinese Han population. Five CMA1 polymorphisms were genotyped., Results: The CMA1 polymorphism rs1800875 (G-1903A) was associated with AF. The frequency of the GG genotype was significantly higher in AF patients compared with controls (p = 0.009). Haplotype analysis further demonstrated an increased risk of AF associated with the rs1800875-G haplotype (Hap8 TGTTG, odds ratio (OR) = 1.668, 95% CI 1.132-2.458, p = 0.009), and a decreased risk for the rs1800875-A haplotype (Hap5 TATTG, OR = 0.178, 95% CI 0.042-0.749, p = 0.008)., Conclusions: CMA1 polymorphisms may be associated with AF, and the rs1800875 GG genotype might be a susceptibility factor for AF in the Chinese Han population.

Background: Atrial tachycardia (AT) with cycle length (CL) alternans is a rare phenomenon. We aimed to identify the characteristics and precise mechanism of this special category of ATs by using an ultrahigh density mapping system., Methods: We identified 7 ATs with alternating CL in a total of 478 ATs from 2 institutions mapped with an ultrahigh density mapping system. Activation maps were performed for long CL (289±35 ms; mapping points, 21 520±11 103) and short CL (251±18 ms; mapping points,17 594±8059) separately., Results: We classified ATs with CL alternans into 2 types. Type 1: There existed 2 potential loops with different routes. CL alternans resulted from an intermittently 2:1 conducting block within the channel of the smaller loop. Type 2: CL alternans resulted from different conduction velocity through 2 closely spaced gaps within preexisting linear lesions. Catheter ablation successfully terminated all the 7 ATs., Conclusions: Ultrahigh density mapping provides an opportunity to delineate the precise mechanism of AT with CL alternans. Intermittent conduction block or slowing of a channel was essential for the maintenance of AT.