Atrial infarction is ischemic necrosis of the upper chamber of the heart (the atrium). It is a disease that has not been well studied.^[1]

In autopsy studies, the incidence is highly variable ranging from 0.7% to 42%. The largest series to date involved 182 patients, and the incidence in that study was 17%.

The right atrium is involved five times as often as the left, with the auricle the predominant site in either atria.

The following may be present: supraventricular arrhythmias, atrial rupture, hemodynamic compromise from loss of atrial “kick,” and thromboembolic phenomena.

Electrocardiographic diagnostic criteria ^{[2] [3] [4]}

• PTa-segment elevation >0.5 mm in leads V3 and V6 with reciprocal depression of PTa segments in V1 and V2 leads.
• PTa-segment elevation >0.5 mm in lead I with reciprocal depressions in leads II and III.
• PTa-segment depression >1.5mm in precordial leads and 1.2mm in leads I, II and III, associated with any atrial arrhythmia.

• Abormal P-waves, flattening of P-wave in M, flattening of P-wave

Transesophageal echocardiography may demonstrate abnormalities.

• Atrial Infarction is a Unique and Often Unrecognized Clinical Entity

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