Surgery for atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency catheter ablation

OBJECTIVE: We present the results obtained in 40 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation using direct intraoperative radiofrequency to perform atrial fibrillation surgery. METHODS: Between April 2001 and June 2002, 40 patients underwent surgery for atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency ablation and cardiac surgery at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the University of Bologna [corrected]. There were 8 men and 32 women with a mean age of 62 +/- 11.6 years (range: 20 to 80 years). RESULTS: Concomitant surgical procedures were: mitral valve replacement (n = 13), mitral valve replacement plus tricuspid valvuloplasty (n = 11), combined mitral and aortic valve replacement (n = 8), and combined mitral and aortic valve replacement plus tricuspid valvuloplasty (n = 5). Moreover, 1 patient underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty plus atrial septal defect repair, another required aortic valve replacement plus coronary artery bypass graft, and a third underwent aortic valve replacement. After the mean follow-up time of 16.5 +/- 2.5 months survival was 92.8% and the overall cumulative rate of sinus rhythm was 88.5%. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the radiofrequency ablation procedure is a safe and effective means of curing atrial fibrillation with negligible technical and time requirements, allowing recovery of the sinus rhythm and atrial function in the great majority of patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent cardiac surgery (88.5% of our study population).     

Percutaneous catheter ablation procedures for the treatment of atrial fibrillation

In light of the significant morbidity and mortality from atrial fibrillation (AF), there has been significant interest in the development of percutaneous catheter ablation procedures for the suppression of AF. Given the success of the surgical Maze procedure, initial catheter-based approaches involved creation of linear atrial lesions. Success rates were low and utility was limited by a high complication rate and long procedural times. The recent discovery that AF is often initiated by atrial ectopic beats has resulted in therapies designed to target the ectopic sources, particularly those within the pulmonary veins. Experience and technological advances have improved the efficacy and safety of such procedures. This article will review catheter ablation procedures for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with AF.     

Successful repair of an atrioesophageal fistula after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Catheter ablation of arrhythmias can result in the rare but devastating complication of an atrioesophageal fistula. This complication can be associated with significant neurologic morbidity and high mortality and requires a high index of suspicion to facilitate life-saving surgical intervention. Herein, we report the successful repair of an atrioesophageal fistula after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.     

Combined ablation of atrial fibrillation and minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: a case report

A partial lower inverted J sternotomy and an extended transseptal incision provide excellent exposure for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. However, the extended trasnsseptal incision causes dividing the sinus node artery, which may result in conduction system disturbance and need for permanent pacemaker implantation. Therefore, there is a challenge in the patient who requires concomitant ablation for atrial fibrillation because of possible conduction system disturbance caused by extended transseptal incision. We describe a new strategy for combined ablation of atrial fibrillation with minimally invasive cardiac surgery by a transseptal approach to the mitral valve through a partial lower sternotomy incision. Cryoablation was performed using a T-shaped cryoprobe with a lesion set of pulmonary vein isolation and ablation of the left and right isthmus in performing mitral annuloplasty, tricuspid annuloplasty, and atrial septal defect closure through a limited sternotomy incision. This technique might minimize possible conduction system disturbance and provide good surgical result for the patients who undergo mitral valve surgery and ablation of atrial fibrillation.     

Surgery for atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency catheter ablation: assessment of results at one year

Objective: The results obtained in 43 patients using direct intraoperative radiofrequency catheter ablation, as an alternative to surgical incisions, to perform atrial fibrillation surgery, are presented. Methods: Forty-three patients with ages ranging from 43 to 74 years ( ), with chronic atrial fibrillation with an average duration 6±5 years were operated. Eleven patients suffered from clinically relevant tachyarrythmia and eight had previous thromboembolic events. All but one patient had concomitant mitral valve surgery. Direct intraoperative radiofrequency catheter ablation was used to perform endocardial bilateral isolation of the pulmonary veins from the left atrium. Results: There were no local or general complications, namely bleeding or thromboembolic events. Of the 33 patients with more than 3 months of follow-up, 36% remained in atrial fibrillation (Santa Cruz score 0); 30% had Score 4; 18% had Score 3; 6% had Score 2; 9% had Score 1. Conclusions: We conclude that the use of intraoperative radiofrequency catheter ablation is fast and safe. Presently, this is our method of choice for surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation in mitral patients.     

导管射频消融治疗阵发性心房颤动两种术式疗效对比

目的比较节段性肺静脉电隔离术（SPVI）和环肺静脉前庭电隔离术（CPVA）对阵发性心房颤动射频消融治疗的临床疗效。方法选取68例行导管射频消融治疗的阵发性心房颤动患者,根据所采用的术式分为SPVI组（30例）和CPVA组（38例）,比较两组手术时间、X线暴露时间及复发率。结果CPVA组手术时间为（171．0±25．8）min,SPVI组为（168．2±21．7）min,两组比较差异无统计学意义（P：0．579）。CPVA组x线暴露时间为（38．5±8．4）min,SPVI组为（45．8±16．1）min,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P=0．019）。所有病例平均随访（17．1±7．8）个月,CPVA组复发率为5．3％,SPVI组为233％,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P=0．029）。两组均未发生严重并发症。结论导管射频消融治疗阵发性心房颤动,CPVA比SPVI具有更少的X线暴露时间和更低的复发率,且不增加手术时间和手术风险。     

心房颤动患者导管消融术后肢体制动与卧床时间研究

目的探讨心房颤动导管消融术后肢体制动与卧床时间对并发症、舒适程度的影响。方法将160例经房间隔穿刺行房颤消融术的患者按照时间顺序分为对照组(42例)、观察1组(60例)、观察2组(58例)。对照组采用沙袋压迫穿刺部位6h,8h后可床旁活动;观察1组术后沙袋压迫穿刺部位2h,4h后床旁活动;观察2组术后沙袋压迫穿刺部位2h,6h后床旁活动。结果三组出血、血肿发生率差异有统计学意义(P0.05),其中观察1组出血、血肿发生率高于对照组和观察2组;回室后4h、6h、8h三组疼痛评分比较,差异有统计学意义(均P0.01),其中对照组疼痛分值最高,其次是观察2组,观察1组最低;三组尿潴留发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论沙袋压迫2h,6h后下床活动没有增加房颤消融术患者出血、血肿、假性动脉瘤,动静脉瘘等并发症发生率,患者腰背部疼痛相对较轻。     

A new cryoprobe for intraoperative ablation of atrial fibrillation

We describe the use of a new argon cryoprobe (SurgiFrost) for isolated endocardial surgical ablation. A right lateral minithoracotomy and femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass were applied. The basic mechanism of cryoablation is to remove heat from the targeted arrhythmogenic tissue followed by electrical isolation. In this first case of isolated treatment of atrial fibrillation using the new flexible SurgiFrost cryocatheter, we were able to perform pulmonary vein isolation reaching temperatures as low as -144 degrees C. The patient was discharged in sinus rhythm. This new argon cryoprobe represents an encouraging technology for the isolated endocardial as well as concomitant treatment of atrial fibrillation.     

心房颤动患者射频消融术后运动恐惧的潜在剖面分析

目的 探究心房颤动（房颤）患者射频消融术后运动恐惧的特征差异,以期为临床开展精准干预提供参考。方法 选取上海市4所三级医院心内科门诊随访的475例房颤术后患者作为研究对象,采用一般资料调查表、心脏病患者运动恐惧量表、领悟社会支持量表进行调查。采用潜在剖面分析识别房颤患者射频消融术后运动恐惧特征的类别,采用有序多分类logistic回归进一步分析影响因素。结果 潜在剖面分析研究结果显示,房颤患者射频消融术后运动恐惧可分为低水平运动恐惧组（29.05%）、中等水平运动恐惧组（48.21%）和高水平运动恐惧组（22.74%）。三组年龄、文化程度、职业状态、居住方式、房颤病程、症状分级、领悟社会支持得分比较,差异有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。有序多分类logistic回归分析结果显示,文化程度为小学及以下和房颤症状分级是患者运动恐惧的危险性因素;房颤病程＜3年和领悟社会支持是患者运动恐惧的保护性因素（均P<0.05）。结论 房颤患者射频消融术后运动恐惧水平存在显著异质性,医护人员可依据不同人群特征给予针对性干预策略,以降低其术后运动恐惧水平。     

Long-term outcomes of the current remote magnetic catheter navigation technique for ablation of atrial fibrillation

Objectives. Comparisons between remote magnetic (RMN) and manual catheter navigation for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation have earlier been reported with controversial results. However, these reports were based on earlier generations of the RMN system. Design. To evaluate the outcomes of the most current RMN system for AF ablation in a larger patient population with longer follow-up time, 112 patients with AF (78 paroxysmal, 34 persistent) who underwent AF ablation utilizing RMN (RMN group) were compared to 102?AF ablation patients (72 paroxysmal, 30 persistent) utilizing manual technique (Manual group). Results. The RMN group was associated with significantly shorter fluoroscopy time (10.4?±?6.4 vs. 16.3?±?10.9?min, p?p?p?p?Conclusion. Differing from previous reports, our data from a larger patient population and longer follow-up time demonstrates that compared to manual technique, the most current RMN technique is associated with better procedural and clinical outcomes for AF ablation.     

Left atrial strain assessed by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Background

Several studies have shown the utility of left atrial (LA) function determined by two-dimensional or three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D- or 3D-STE) for identifying patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, whether 3D-STE is applicable for prediction of the recurrence of AF after catheter ablation (CA) remains unknown. We examined whether any 3D-STE parameters are better than 2D-STE parameters for the prediction of AF recurrence.

Methods

Forty-two patients with paroxysmal AF (58 ± 10 years old, 69% male) underwent 2D- and 3D-STE within 3 days before first-time CA. The global peak LA longitudinal, circumferential, and area strains during systole (3D-GLSs, -GCSs, and -GASs, respectively) and those just before atrial contraction (3D-GLSa, -GCSa, and -GASa, respectively) were determined by 3D-STE and standard deviations of times to peaks of regional LA strains were calculated as indices of LA dyssynchrony. In 2D-STE, global LA longitudinal strains during systole and just before atrial contraction (2D-GLSs and -GLSa) were determined.

Results

During follow-up of 441 ± 221 days, 12 patients (29%) had AF recurrence. In the univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, age [hazard ratio (HR): 1.08, p = 0.04], 3D-GCSs (HR: 0.91, p = 0.03), and 3D-GASs (HR: 0.95, p = 0.01) were predictors of AF recurrence, though associations of recurrence with 2D-STE parameters, indices of LA synchrony, and LA volume were not significant. Multivariable analysis showed that 3D-GASs was an independent predictor of AF recurrence (HR: 0.96, p = 0.048).

Conclusions

LA strain determined by 3D-STE is a novel and better predictor of AF recurrence after CA than that determined by 2D-STE or other known predictors.

     

Curative ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter (RF)-ablation around pulmonary vein ostia and in left atrium may reduce or prevent recurrence of AF, as documented in observational studies and registry reports; however, few RCTs are available. METHODS: Using relevant search phrases, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for RCTs, last time in May 2007. Titles and abstracts were screened. When entry criteria were fulfilled, full-text papers were read and graded according to quality and relevance. RESULTS: One thousand and ninety four abstracts were evaluated, and five RCTs included (578 randomized patients). The studies had moderate quality and relevance, but the results were consistent: ablation is better than drug treatment in preventing AF recurrence; the relative risk (95% CI)) one year after ablation ranged from 0.20 (0.08-0.51) to 0.62 (0.39-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Results from observational and registry studies are confirmed: RF-ablation reduces recurrence rate of AF, and can be done with few serious complications. Limitations are few patients>70 years, and only one year follow-up.