Case report: Mechanical-electric feedback and atrial fibrillation–Revelation from the treatment of a rare atrial fibrillation caused by annular constrictive pericarditis

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias encountered in clinical practice. The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for its development are complex, vary amongst individuals, and associated with predisposing factors. Here, we report a case of AF caused by annular constrictive pericarditis (ACP), which is extremely rare due to its unusual anatomical form. In our patient, AF was refractory to multiple antiarrhythmic medications; however, spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm occurred when the ring encircling the right and left ventricular (RV and LV) cavities along the atrioventricular (AV) groove was severed. This suggests that atrial stretch due to atrial enlargement and increased left atrial (LA) pressure may contribute to the initiation and maintenance of AF. This report highlights the importance of the careful investigation of rare predisposing factors for AF using non-invasive diagnostic approaches and mechanical-electric feedback (MEF) as a pathophysiological mechanism for AF initiation and maintenance.