[Processes of left atrial remodeling in myocardial infarction survivors as shown by esophageal rheography].

To study the condition of the left atrium (LA) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), 112 MI patients were compared to 24 healthy controls by the data obtained at ultrasonic investigation of the heart and esophageal rheography. 73.2% of the patients early after MI showed dilated LA. There were also changes in the ascending part of the rheographic atrial wave at its registration from the esophagus. Its marked prolongation (> 40% of the duration of the whole LA systole) is associated with alterations in the myocardial wall tonicity. If the above value was less, the number of supraventricular extrasystoles significantly increased, episodes of cardiac fibrillation occurred. Changed tonicity of the LA wall was accompanied also with prominent prolongation of the electrophysiological parameters of transesophageal pacing characterizing pacemaker's function and atrioventricular conduction. This suggests involvement not only left but also right atrium. Conclusion is that LA tonicity in MI is damaged and can be studied with esophageal rheography.