Abstract
Objective: Conduction velocity around the tricuspid valve annulus (TA) during typical atrial flutter (AFL) has been shown to be slowest in the inferior vena cava-tricuspid valve (IVC-TV) isthmus when compared to the septal or free wall segments of the TA. We investigated the conduction velocity in IVC-TV isthmus, dividing into three areas. Methods: We evaluated conduction velocity around the TA during typical AFL in 10 patients, using an electro-anatomic mapping system (CARTOTM). Conduction velocity was calculated at six areas around the TA including the septal wall, upper wall, lateral wall, and isthmus wall, which was further divided into three areas, lateral isthmus, mid isthmus, and septal isthmus. Results: Conduction velocity around the TA during typical AFL was slowest in the IVC-TV isthmus. Further, conduction velocities (m/sec) in the mid isthmus (0.44±0.17) and septal isthmus (0.45±0.22) were significantly slower (p<0.05) than that in the upper wall (0.67±0.26). Conclusions: The relatively slower conduction in IVC-TV isthmus resulted from the relatively slower conduction in the area from mid to septal isthmus.
