Background-The superior vena cava (SVC) has cardiac musculature extending from the right atrium. However, no previous study in humans has given details regarding the ectopic foci that initiate paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), which may originate from the SVC. Methods and Results-A total of 130 patients with frequent attacks of PAF initiated by ectopic beats were included. Eight patients (6%) had spontaneous AF initiated by a burst of rapid ectopic beats from the SVC (located 19Ϯ7 mm above the junction of the SVC and right atrium), which was confirmed by multiplane angiographic and intracardiac echocardiographic visualization and was marked by a sharp SVC potential preceding atrial activity. During initial repetitive discharges, the group with SVC ectopy had a higher incidence of intravenous conduction block than the group with pulmonary vein ectopy (75% versus 37%; Pϭ0.03). The activation time of the earliest intracardiac ectopic activities relative to ectopic P wave onset was significantly shorter in the SVC ectopy than the pulmonary vein ectopy group (37Ϯ15 versus 84Ϯ32 ms; PϽ0.001). After 5Ϯ3 applications of radiofrequency energy, AF was eliminated. SVC angiography after ablation revealed a local indentation of the venous wall in one patient. Two patients manifested coexisting sinus rhythm and a "focal" fibrillating activity confined inside the SVC after radiofrequency ablation. During a follow-up period of 9Ϯ3 months, all 8 patients were free of antiarrhythmic drugs, without tachycardia recurrence or symptoms of SVC obstruction. Conclusions-Ectopic beats initiating PAF can originate from the SVC. A radiofrequency current delivered to eliminate these ectopies is a highly effective and safe way to prevent PAF. (Circulation. 2000;102:67-74.)

Electrophysiological characteristics of PVs are different from those in the atria. Ectopic beats from PVs can initiate AF, and beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, calcium channel blockers, and sodium channel blockers can suppress these ectopic beats. Careful mapping and elimination of these ectopic foci can cure paroxysmal AF.

Background-Most of the ectopic beats initiating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) originate from the pulmonary vein (PV). However, only limited data are available on PAF originating from the non-PV areas. Methods and Results-Two hundred forty patients with a total of 358 ectopic foci initiating PAF were included.Sixty-eight (28%) patients had AF initiated by ectopic beats (73 foci, 20%) from the non-PV areas, including the left atrial posterior free wall (28, 38.3%), superior vena cava (27, 37.0%), crista terminalis (10, 3.7%), ligament of Marshall (6, 8.2%), coronary sinus ostium (1, 1.4%), and interatrial septum (1, 1.4%). Catheter ablation eliminated AF with acute success rates of 63%, 96%, 100%, 50%, 100%, and 0% in left atrial posterior free wall, superior vena cava, crista terminalis, ligament of Marshall, coronary sinus ostium, and interatrial septum, respectively. During a follow-up period of 22Ϯ11 months, 43 patients (63.2%) were free of antiarrhythmic drugs without AF recurrence. Conclusions-Ectopic