Atrial Electrical and Structural Changes Associated with Longstanding Hypertension in Humans: Implications for the Substrate for Atrial Fibrillation

Chronically treated systemic HT with LVH is accompanied by atrial remodeling characterized by: (i) global conduction slowing, (ii) regional conduction delay particularly at the crista terminalis, and (iii) increased AF inducibility. These changes may in part be responsible for the increased propensity to AF associated with systemic HT.