Uncommon etiologies of atrial fibrillation

• Published in: Clinical cardiology (Mahwah, N.J.) Vol. 19; no. 6; pp. 513 - 516
• Main Authors: Raggi, Paolo, Vasavada, Balendu C., Parente, Thomas, Prasada, Sudhir, Sacchi, Terrence J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Periodicals, Inc 01.06.1996; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - diagnostic imaging; Atrial Fibrillation - etiology; Atrial Fibrillation - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac dysrhythmias; Cardiology. Vascular system; cor triatriatum; Cor Triatriatum - complications; Cor Triatriatum - diagnostic imaging; Cor Triatriatum - surgery; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent - complications; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent - diagnostic imaging; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent - surgery; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; echocardiography, Doppler, color, transesophageal; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Female; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary embolism; Pulmonary Embolism - complications; Pulmonary Embolism - diagnostic imaging; Pulmonary Embolism - surgery; Sonography; Human; Echocardiography; Arrhythmia; Respiratory disease; Persistent fetal circulation; Atrial fibrillation; Cor triatriatum; Cardiovascular disease; Ductus arteriosus; Congenital disease; Excitability disorder; Esophagus; Vascular disease; Pulmonary embolism; Case study; Malformation; Etiology; Heart disease; Ultrasonic transducer
• ISSN: 0160-9289; 1932-8737
• DOI: 10.1002/clc.4960190614

A newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation warrants a full investigation of the etiopathogenesis of this common arrhythmia. In the adult population, the most frequently associated conditions are systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease, mitral valvulopathy, congestive heart failure, and hyperthyroidism. Nevertheless, more infrequent and even rare, yet correctable, etiologies should not be overlooked. We describe three patients who presented to our hospital with a first episode of atrial fibrillation and who subsequently were demonstrated to have very unusual cardiovascular pathologies subtending this common arrhythmia. In all three cases, transesophageal echocardiography was instrumental in reaching an accurate diagnosis that was later confirmed at surgery.