Open AccessUncommon etiologies of atrial fibrillation
Author(s) -
Raggi Paolo,
Vasavada Balendu C.,
Parente Thomas,
Prasada Sudhir,
Sacchi Terrence J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960190614
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , etiology , cardiology , heart failure , coronary artery disease , heart disease , population , environmental health
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.