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Figure 2. Posterior Perspective of the
Left Atrium and Pulmonary Veins
Pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy is highly variable between patients.
Figure 3. Schematic Drawing Showing Various Hypotheses
and Proposals Concerning the Mechanisms of AF
Considerable progress has been made in defining the mechanisms underlying initiation,
perpetuation, and progression of AF (Figures 3,4). It is also notable that detailed human
atrial mapping studies have not observed discrete rotors, but rather suggest that AF
is maintained by dissociation between epicardial and endocardial layers, with mutual
interaction producing multiplying activity that maintains the arrhythmia (Figure 3E).
Treatment
