计算机断层摄影术心脏成像评价不同类型心房颤动患者左心房内形态结构的临床研究

目的:应用256层螺旋计算机断层摄影术(CT)心脏成像定量测定心房颤动(房颤)患者左心房内形态结构的相关参数,探讨不同类型房颤患者左心房内形态结构的差异。方法:选取2018年6月—2018年12月于郑州大学第一附属医院住院的98例房颤患者为研究对象,其中阵发性房颤55例(56.1%,阵发性房颤组),持续性房颤43例(43.9%,持续性房颤组),均行256层螺旋CT心脏检查。通过对CT图像的处理来测量左心房体积,左心耳嵴长度和上缘、中部、下缘宽度,肺静脉嵴间部前缘、中部、后缘宽度,左心耳体积,左心耳开口面积,肺静脉开口面积。比较两组基线资料的差异,并分析不同类型心房颤动患者左心房内形态结构的差异。结果:两组患者在性别、吸烟、高血压、脑血管病、冠心病、血小板、血红蛋白、年龄、BMI、左心房体积、左侧肺静脉嵴间宽度、左心耳嵴长度和宽度、左心耳和肺静脉开口面积大小等方面均差异无统计学意义。持续性房颤组患者左房内径,右侧肺静脉嵴间前缘、中部、后缘宽度,左心耳体积均显著大于阵发性房颤组(均P<0.05)。结论:与阵发性房颤患者相比,持续性房颤患者左房内径、右侧肺静脉嵴间宽度、左心耳体积均明显...     

持续性心房颤动经导管射频消融治疗的方法探讨(附三例报告)

探讨经导管射频消融治疗持续性心房颤动 (简称房颤 )的可行性。 3例房颤患者房颤持续时间 2个月至 1年4个月。术前口服胺碘酮 ,1例转为窦性心律伴频发房性早搏 (简称房早 ) ,1例转为房早与短阵房颤和阵发心房扑动 (简称房扑 ) ,1例转为房早与阵发房性心动过速 (简称房速 )。经导管作点状消融或点状消融加房扑线性消融 ,2例术中房早消失 ,1例房早显著减少 ,经快速心房刺激或静脉点滴异丙肾上腺素均不能诱发房颤。 1例术后有短阵房颤发作 ,服用莫雷西嗪 ,房颤未再发作。结论 :某些持续性房颤用药物后可转复成窦性心律伴频发房早、房扑或房速 ,局部单点消融或单点消融加线性消融可以达到治疗目的。     

起源上腔静脉快速房性心律失常的电生理特征和射频导管消融治疗

目的:分析上腔静脉起源的异位冲动诱发阵发性心房颤动(房颤)和房性心动过速(房速)的特点,总结射频导管消融电隔离上腔静脉治疗快速房性心律失常的经验。方法:连续收治快速房性心律失常患者108例,对经电生理检查证实房性心律失常起源于上腔静脉的11例患者行上腔静脉造影,明确上腔静脉开口位置后应用标测导管于上腔静脉进行激动标测,标测上腔静脉最早激动点及肌袖电位分布位置进行消融,直至房性心律失常终止及上腔静脉电位消失。结果:11例患者中,房速5例,房颤6例。5例房速患者上腔静脉房速发作周长为260～390ms;P波形态除1例判定不清外,其余4例均为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF、aVL导联直立,aVR导联倒置。6例房颤患者中,4例在环肺静脉隔离后仍可诱发或自发短阵房速或频发房性期前收缩,经标测起源于上腔静脉;2例术中自发房颤标测过程中发现上腔静脉电位频率较肺静脉电位频率更快。上腔静脉电隔离后,术中均成功终止心动过速。随访6～20个月,1例患者阵发性房颤复发,1例患者因窦性停搏行永久起搏器治疗。结论:上腔静脉是房速和房颤的起源部位之一,射频导管消融治疗有很高的成功率。     

起源于肺静脉的房性心律失常体表心电图和心内电生理特点

目的:分析起源于肺静脉的房性心律失常体表心电图和心内电生理特点,识别触发心房纤颤(房颤)的房性期前收缩(房早)和房性心动过速(房速)。方法:回顾性分析房性心律失常并阵发性房颤84例体表心电图(房颤组),非房颤组84例体表心电图为频发房早(800次/24 h)。房颤组结合心内电生理检查及Lasso环状电极标测,行导管射频消融(RFCA)肺静脉隔离(PVI)。结果:房颤组电隔离肺静脉286支,均达即刻成功标准,无并发症发生。房颤组体表心电图呈房早、房速、心房扑动(房扑)和阵发性房颤(房颤)频繁发作和交替转换,并常伴长间歇,房早联律间期470～280(420±57)ms明显短于非房颤组的房早联律间期660～350(610±86)ms,P0.05,房颤多由短联律间期房早触发。心内电生理改变为Lasso环状电极标测到起源于肺静脉的连续、快速、有序或无序的较P波提前,时限短、峰锐利的尖峰电位(Spike电位),同步心电图显示该Spike电位常是阵发性房颤的触发因素。经导管射频消融消除肺静脉内电位或隔离肺静脉与心房间的电或组织连接,可终止房性心律失常,维持窦性心律。结论:起源于肺静脉的房性心律失常的特点是短联律间期房早,也是阵发性房颤的触发因素。     

心脏术后心房颤动患者行电复律的护理

心房颤动(简称房颤)是一种常见的心律失常,临床几乎所有的心脏疾病,尤其是心房扩大伴有频发的房性早博(简称房早),或窦性心动过缓,伴短阵性房性心动过速者,最易诱发房颤.而术后仍有相当一部分患者呈持续房颤心律,及时转复为窦性心律可增加心搏量,改善心功能,防止心房内血栓形成和血栓栓塞,明显提高患者的生活质量.     

肌袖性房性心律失常--一种独特的房性心律失常?(Ⅱ)

四、肌袖性房性心律失常的解剖与电生理机制 肌袖性房性心律失常命名的提出,归功于近年来局灶性心房颤动（房颤）的解剖和电生理机制的研究进展。局灶性房颤表现为频发单形房性早搏（房早）、短阵房性心动过速（房速）和阵发性房颤,这些房性心律失常起源于同一个异位兴奋灶,多位于肺静脉开口或肺静脉内（95％）,部分位于腔静脉内,极少位于右心房的界嵴、游离壁、冠状静脉窦口和左心房游离壁。进而,人们就把关注的目光集中于产生这种特殊电生理现象的解剖基础——肺静脉和腔静脉的肌袖组织。 （一）肺静脉的解剖与电活动的关系 目前公认肺静脉的特殊结构是产生异常兴奋并触发局灶性房颤最常见的解剖基础。但是此处局灶性电活动具体发作的原因,以及电生理机制仍不完全清楚。 研究发现肺静脉内的心肌袖位于血管外膜并与血管平滑肌间有脂肪组织分隔,同时肌袖远端的肌纤维明显萎缩,且有结缔组织纤维包绕,提示有产生兴奋,向心房传导兴奋,以及发生微折返的解剖基础。而且也观察到肺静脉的平滑肌并不存在电活动,肺静脉的电活动来自延续到肺静脉的心房肌,并向心房传导。     

房性心律失常与P波离散度关系的探讨

Ｐ波离散度 (Ｐｄ)是指同步记录的 12导联中 ,不同导联测定的Ｐ波最大时限(Ｐｍａｘ)与Ｐ波最短时限 (Ｐｍｉｎ)间的差值 ,多数人该值 <40ｍｓ,当其 >40ｍｓ时 ,提示心房内不同部位存在非均质性电活动 ,是体表心电图预测房性心律失常的1个新指标[1] 。本文对 40例伴有房性心律失常者的Ｐｄ报告如下。1　资料与方法1 1　对象　我院就诊病人中出现房性心律失常者 (Ａ组 )男 2 1例、女 19例 ,年龄 2 5～ 85 (65 95± 13 3 8)岁 ,以窦性心律为主导节律 ,同时伴有反复短阵房颤(Ａｆ) 2例、短阵房扑 (ＡＦ) 4例、短阵房速 7例、频发房早 2 3例、…     

计算机断层摄影术心脏成像对心房颤动患者左心耳与毗邻结构的定量研究

目的:采用256层螺旋计算机断层摄影术(CT)心脏成像对心房颤动(房颤)患者左心耳与毗邻结构的定量测量,为房颤患者左心耳封堵术及射频消融术提供解剖学数据。方法:选取我院2016年9月至2017年8月期间房颤患者(房颤组) 94例及冠状动脉检查正常并可排除其他心血管疾病的患者(对照组)80例,两组均行256层螺旋CT冠状动脉检查,对左心耳进行重建,统计左心耳嵴部的分型,并测量左心耳到左上肺静脉、左回旋支的最小距离,左心耳嵴部的嵴长、嵴上缘、中部、下缘的宽度,以及左心耳开口至左上肺静脉开口、二尖瓣的距离,并对两组数据进行比较。结果:(1)房颤组体重较对照组增加(P0.05);(2)房颤组左心耳嵴部分型中AⅠ型、AⅡ型及C型所占比例较对照组降低,B型所占比例较对照组增高;(3)房颤组较对照组左心耳到左回旋支的最短距离、左心耳嵴部长、嵴上缘宽减小,(P0.05),左心耳开口到二尖瓣环的距离、嵴中部宽增大(P0.05)。因两组体重有统计学差异,故对该部分数据分别进行体表标化,标化后房颤组较对照组左心耳开口至二尖瓣环的距离增大(P0.05),左心耳至左上肺静脉、左回旋支的最小距离、左心耳开口至左上肺静脉开口的距离及左心耳嵴部长、嵴上缘宽均减小(P均0.05)。结论:房颤患者左心耳嵴部的分型同正常人有明显差异,房颤患者左心耳到左回旋支的最小距离较近,研究结果可客观了解房颤患者左心耳及其周围毗邻结构的关系,为临床进行左心耳相关手术提供解剖学依据。     

阵发性心房颤动导管消融术后早期复发的电生理机制和再消融

目的 评价阵发性心房颤动(房颤)导管消融术后早期复发的电生理机制及早期再消融的可行性、疗效.方法 入选环肺静脉电隔离术后1个月内复发的阵发性房颤患者14例,其中男8例,女6例,平均年龄61.8±8.4岁,房颤复发距首次消融时间4.9±3.7 d.若肺静脉传导恢复,则补点消融再次隔离.肺静脉隔离后诱发房颤,标测并消融非肺静脉异位灶.术后随访心电图和24 h动态心电图.结果 14例患者首次消融后24.7±5.5 d再次消融.仅1例肺静脉传导无恢复,其余13例(92.9%)中均有至少一侧肺静脉传导恢复,补点消融后均再次隔离.3例(21.4%)为上腔静脉起源房颤,行上腔静脉隔离房颤终止.1例(7.1%)为界嵴上部起源,行局灶消融成功.3例诱发出典型心房扑动(房扑),1例诱发出左心房房扑,消融均成功.术后平均随访5.8±1.4个月,13例患者无房性快速性心律失常复发(不用抗心律失常药物),1例有阵发性房速发作(服用维拉帕米).结论 肺静脉传导恢复是阵发性房颤消融术后早期复发的主要因素,其次是非肺静脉(上腔静脉、界嵴)的异位灶,早期再消融可行有效.     

导管射频肺静脉口环状消融治疗局灶性心房颤动(附一例报告)

1例女性患者 ,33岁 ,局灶性心房颤动 (简称房颤 )的起源部位位于右上肺静脉 (RSPV)口。第一次于RSPV内行点状消融短阵房性心动过速的最早兴奋点 (较体表心电图P′波提早 5 7ms) ,即刻成功 ,但术后 3日复发。观察一周后仍有房颤发作而行第二次手术。术中因各种方法都不能诱发短阵房性心动过速与房颤 ,而行RSPV口环状消融。术后随访 3个月房颤未复发 ,患者无任何不适 ,表明手术成功。结论 :导管射频肺静脉口环状消融是相对安全的方法 ,可以提高导管射频治疗起源于肺静脉口局灶性房颤的成功率 ,降低复发率。     

Atrial Anatomy and Imaging in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) can be a technically challenging procedure, requiring detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the atria and thoracic veins to achieve successful cure of AF with a low complication rate. In this article, we review the anatomy relevant to AF ablation: the intraatrial septum, the pulmonary veins and left atrial antral region, the left atrial vestibule, the right atrium and related veins, and the esophagus. We focus on normal variations of anatomy and the role of the available imaging modalities in facilitating safe and effective ablation of this common and complex arrhythmia.     

Three-dimensional anatomy of the left atrium by magnetic resonance angiography: implications for catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become one of the primary treatments for symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). During this procedure, delivery of ablation lesions to certain regions of the left atrium can be technically challenging. Among the most challenging regions are the ridges separating the left pulmonary veins (LPV) from the left atrial appendage (LAA), and the right middle pulmonary vein (RMPV) from the right superior (RSPV) and right inferior (RIPV) pulmonary veins. A detailed anatomical characterization of these regions has not been previously reported. METHODS: Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in patients prior to undergoing PVI. Fifty consecutive patients with a RMPV identified by MRA were included in this study. Ridges associated with the left pulmonary veins were examined in an additional 30 patients who did not have a RMPV. Endoluminal views were reconstructed from the gadolinium-enhanced, breath-hold three-dimensional MRA data sets. Measurements were performed using electronic calipers. RESULTS: The width of the ridge separating the LPV from the LAA was found to be 3.7 +/- 1.1 mm at its narrowest point. The segment of this ridge with a width of 5 mm or less was 16.6 +/- 6.4 mm long. The width of the ridges separating the RMPV from the RSPV and the RIPV was found to be 3.0 +/-1.5 mm and 3.1 +/-1.8 mm, respectively. There were no significant differences between LPV ridges for patients with versus without a RMPV. CONCLUSION: The width of the ridges of atrial tissue separating LPV from the LAA and the RMPV from its neighboring veins may explain the technical challenge in obtaining stable catheter positions in these areas. A detailed assessment of the anatomy of these regions may improve the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation at these sites.     

Acute effects of left atrial radiofrequency ablation on atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION: Acutely, when left atrial ablation is performed during atrial fibrillation (AF), the AF may persist and require cardioversion, or it may convert to sinus rhythm or to atrial tachycardia/flutter. The prevalence of these acute outcomes has not been described. METHODS AND RESULTS: Left atrial ablation, usually including encirclement of the pulmonary veins, was performed during AF in 144 patients with drug-refractory AF. Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 19 patients (13%), to left atrial tachycardia in 6 (4%), and to atrial flutter in 6 (4%). In the 6 patients with a focal atrial tachycardia, the mean cycle length was 294 +/- 45 ms. The tachycardia arose in the left atrial roof in 3 patients, the left atrial appendage in 2, and the anterior left atrium in 1. In 3 of 6 patients, the focal atrial tachycardia originated in an area that displayed a relatively short cycle length during AF. In 6 patients, AF converted to macroreentrant atrial flutter with a mean cycle length of 253 +/- 47 ms, involving the mitral isthmus in 5 patients and the septum in 1 patient. All atrial tachycardias and flutters were successfully ablated with 1 to 15 applications of radiofrequency energy. CONCLUSION: When left atrial ablation is performed during AF, the AF may convert to atrial tachycardia or flutter in approximately 10% of patients. Focal atrial tachycardias that occur during ablation of AF may be attributable to driving mechanisms that persist after AF has been eliminated, whereas atrial flutter results from incomplete ablation lines.     

Canadian Cardiovascular Society atrial fibrillation guidelines 2010: catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) offers a promising treatment for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients for whom a rhythm control strategy is desired. While the precise mechanisms of AF are incompletely understood, there is substantial evidence that in many cases (particularly for paroxysmal AF), ectopic activity most commonly located in and around the pulmonary veins of the left atrium plays a central role in triggering and/or maintaining arrhythmic episodes. Catheter ablation involves electrically disconnecting the pulmonary veins from the rest of the left atrium to prevent AF from being triggered. Further substrate modification may be required in patients with more persistent AF. Successful ablation of AF has never been shown to alter mortality or obviate the need for oral anticoagulation; thus, the primary indication for this procedure should be improvement of symptoms caused by AF. The success rate of catheter ablation for AF is superior to the efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs, but success is still in the range of 75%-90% after 2 procedures. Ablation is also associated with a complication rate of 2%-3%. Thus, ablation should primarily be used as a second-line therapy after failure of antiarrhythmic drugs. In contrast to AF, catheter ablation of atrial flutter has a higher success rate with a smaller incidence of complications. Thus, catheter ablation for atrial flutter may be considered a first-line alternative to antiarrhythmic drugs.     

Atypical left atrial flutter after intraoperative radiofrequency ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation: successful ablation using three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping

Curative treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a challenging task for electrophysiologists. Eliminating the initiating triggers by focal radiofrequency ablation in a subset of patients with paroxysmal AF and modifying the maintaining substrate by performing linear lesions within the left atrium in patients with prolonged episodes of AF are among the alternative approaches for management of these patients. Recently, a new intraoperative treatment procedure aimed at eliminating left atrial anatomic "anchor" reentrant circuits by induction of contiguous lesions using radiofrequency energy under direct vision was introduced. However, atypical left atrial flutter may occur during follow-up after intraoperative ablation of AF. These arrhythmias most likely are due to discontinuities in linear lesions; therefore, they can be successfully mapped and ablated in a subsequent percutaneous catheter ablation procedure. We report and discuss the case of a patient who underwent successful intraoperative ablation of chronic AF, but who developed atypical left atrial flutter postoperatively. Three-dimensional nonfluoroscopic electroanatomic mapping revealed a gap in the linear lesion line connecting the left upper and right upper pulmonary vein orifices. Ablation at the exit site of the breakthrough was successful.     

Stepwise linear approach to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: This study attempted to convert atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm using a stepwise linear catheter ablation approach. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six patients (43 with persistent AF) were enrolled in the study. A multiple electrode array was used for anatomical navigation and activation mapping. Continuously incremental stimulation was used to induce AF if spontaneous AF was not present. Stepwise linear ablation was applied until AF was converted to sinus rhythm or atypical atrial flutter (AAFL) or atrial tachycardia (AT). The stepwise approach initially utilized a figure-7 lesion line between the right and left superior pulmonary vein on the roof of the left atrium and then extended along the ridge between the left appendage and the left pulmonary veins until the mitral valve annulus, as the primary lesions. If AF still persisted, high-frequency potentials in the inferior left atrium, coronary sinus, or right atrium were targeted. Noninducibility of AF was used as the end point. RESULTS: AF was converted to sinus rhythm in 81.6% of patients (90.8% of paroxysmal and 51.1% of persistent AF, P<.01). The remainders of patients were converted to AAFL or AT. AF was terminated after ablation in right atrium in 7 patients. During an 18.2+/-7.3 month follow-up, 88.3% of patients were free of atrial tachyarrhythmias without medication, 9.7% of patients had refractory AAFL/AT, and only 2.1% of patients had paroxysmal AF. CONCLUSION: Stepwise linear ablation is effective in converting AF to sinus rhythm and the figure-7 lesion line should be the basic lesion. Right atrium ablation is necessary in some patients.     

Late recurrent arrhythmias after ablation of atrial fibrillation: Incidence, mechanisms, and treatment

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of atrial flutter and other arrhythmia recurrences (other than atrial fibrillation [AF]) during long-term follow-up after left atrial substrate modification by percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of AF. BACKGROUND: RF ablation is an effective treatment for patients with AF. However, late recurrent arrhythmias may complicate the patient's course. METHODS: One hundred fifty consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF were included in this prospective study. The incidence of arrhythmia recurrences after AF ablation was analyzed during long-term follow-up using repetitive 7-day ECG recording. RESULTS: In 28 of 150 patients (18.7%), stable regular arrhythmias other than AF were detected during follow-up. Left atrial flutter observed in 10 patients (6.7%) was treated by recompletion of the ablation lines in all 10 patients. Left atrial flutter was associated with recurrence of AF in all 10 patients. Nine of 10 patients (90%) were free from atrial flutter and 6 of 10 patients were free from AF after the second intervention. Typical right atrial flutter occurred in 10 patients (6.7%) and was treated successfully by percutaneous RF ablation without recurrence in all patients. Additionally, atrial flutter was documented during follow-up in 7 patients (4.7%); however, invasive electrophysiologic evaluation was not performed due to various reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial flutter is a relevant complication after RF catheter ablation of AF and was always associated with AF recurrence in our study population. Prevention of left atrial flutter can be achieved by induction of ablation lines as continuous and transmural as possible. However, left atrial flutter that does occur late after ablation is amenable to interventional treatment with good prospects of success.     

心房颤动导管消融中可调弯鞘使用的经验

目的报道心房颤动（简称房颤）导管消融过程中使用可调弯韒（Agilis NxT鞘）的经验。方法 15例房颤患者采用Agilis NxT鞘进行导管消融。阵发性房颤11例,持续性房颤4例。穿刺房间隔,双侧肺静脉造影后,在EnSite VelocityTMv.3.0指导下构建左房几何模型,先行双侧肺静脉电学隔离,持续性房颤或阵发性房颤合并典型心房扑动患者继行三尖瓣峡部线性消融,而后持续性房颤患者电复律,在窦性心律下行左房高密度标测,若有低电压区或碎裂电位,继续行基质改良。结果 15例均完成4根肺静脉电学隔离。持续性房颤中,4例完成三尖瓣峡部线性消融;复律后在窦性心律下行左房高密度标测2例后壁有低电压区,遂完成两侧消融圈后壁线消融;2例右下肺静脉前庭双电位与碎裂电位,行基质改良。阵发性房颤患者中,2例合并典型心房扑动行三尖瓣峡部线性消融,1例合并冠状窦口房性心动过速消融。右、左肺静脉隔离时间分别为（20.9±5.7）min、（19.2±7.1）min。没有1例出现严重并发症。随访（5.2±1.6）个月,1（6.7%）例3月后有房颤发作。结论在房颤导管消融过程中,使用Agilis NxT鞘,能便利消融且安全有效。     

心房颤动环肺静脉电隔离术后房性心律失常的再消融治疗

目的探讨应用三维电解剖(Carto)系统引导左房(left atrium,LA)内环肺静脉(pulmo-naryvein,PV)消融治疗心房颤动(房颤)后复发房性心律失常的可能原因和再消融治疗。方法共对77例房颤患者进行环肺静脉电隔离术消融治疗,其中男性58例,20～76岁;阵发性房颤56例,持续性房颤21例。穿刺2～3次房间隔送入2～3支2·67mm(8F)长鞘至LA,送入1～2支Lasso导管入PV。应用Carto-XP系统,3·5mm生理盐水灌注消融导管,在LA内建立三维电解剖结构图。行PV选择性造影标识出PV口。在沿PV口外0·5～1·0cm的LA,设定围绕左或右侧上、下PV的环状消融线,消融终点为PV-LA电隔离。结果71/77例左侧和右侧PV-LA均达到电隔离,6/77例仅单侧PV-LA电隔离。复发病例中,14例再次消融,心电图或动态心电图示房性心动过速(房速)8例,房速-房颤5例,典型心房扑动1例。13例(93%)有左和/或右侧PV-LA传导恢复,其中左、右两侧均恢复8例,左侧和右侧恢复分别为3例和2例。7例患者在术中记录到左房房速,均起源于PV。13例再次消融均达到PV-LA电隔离,1例典型心房扑动达到三尖瓣峡部双向传导阻滞;随访3～30个月,其中12例无房性心律失常发作。结论采用Carto系统引导环同侧PV线性消融治疗房颤安全有效,PV-LA传导恢复可以是房颤消融后复发房性心律失常的主要机制,再次消融达到PV-LA电隔离可进一步提高房颤消融的成功率。     

Catheter ablation treatment in patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation: a prospective, multi-centre, randomized, controlled study (Catheter Ablation For The Cure Of Atrial Fibrillation Study).

AIMS: We conducted a multi-centre, prospective, controlled, randomized trial to investigate the adjunctive role of ablation therapy to antiarrhythmic drug therapy in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) relapses in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF in whom antiarrhythmic drug therapy had already failed. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirty seven patients were randomized to ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy (ablation group) or antiarrhythmic drug therapy alone (control group). In the ablation group, patients underwent cavo-tricuspid and left inferior pulmonary vein (PV)-mitral isthmus ablation plus circumferential PV ablation. The primary end-point of the study was the absence of any recurrence of atrial arrhythmia lasting >30 s in the 1-year follow-up period, after 1-month blanking period. Three (4.4%) major complications were related to ablation: one patient had a stroke during left atrium ablation, another suffered transient phrenic paralysis, and the third had a pericardial effusion which required pericardiocentesis. After 12 months of follow-up, 63/69 (91.3%) control group patients had at least one AF recurrence, whereas 30/68 (44.1%) (P<0.001) ablation group patients had atrial arrhythmia recurrence (four patients had atrial flutter, 26 patients AF). CONCLUSION: Ablation therapy combined with antiarrhythmic drug therapy is superior to antiarrhythmic drug therapy alone in preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrences in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF in whom antiarrhythmic drug therapy has already failed.