Localization and radiofrequency catheter ablation of left-sided accessory pathways during atrial fibrillation Feasibility and electrogram criteria for identification of appropriate target sites

Objectives. The purpose of the present study was to assess the feasibility of and electrophysiologic criteria for successful radio-frequency catheter ablation of left-sided accessory pathways during atrial fibrillation in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.Background. The onset of recurrent or sustained atrial fibrillation can complicate or significantly prolong accessory pathway catheter ablation procedures.Methods. We studied 19 consecutive patients (mean age [±SD] 44 ± 16 years) with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome who had ongoing atrial fibrillation with rapid anterograde conduction over the accessory pathway (mean ventricular rate [±SD] 173 ± 26 beats/min, range 130 to 220) at the beginning of the localization procedure during radiofrequency catheter ablation. Localization and ablation of the accessory pathway were performed with a 7F deflectable catheter (4-mm tip) that was placed underneath the mitral valve annulus. The electrophysiologic criteria from unipolar and bipolar local electrograms were compared for successful (n = 18) and unseccessful (n = 39) sites.Results. The accessory pathways were localized in the left posteroseptal (n = 6), posterior (n = 1), posterolateral (n = 7) and lateral (n = 5) regions and successfully ablated during atrial fibrillation in 18 (95%) of 19 patients with a mean of 3 ± 2 radiofrequency pulses (range 1 to 8, median 2). Presence of an accessory pathway potential (94% vs. 44%), early activation time of the ventricular electrogram (−3.2 ± 9.2 vs.−15.3 ± 12.6 ms) and recording of atrial activation (88% vs. 61%) from the ablation catheter were helpful in identifying successful sites (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively, compared with unsuccessful sites). In addition, the ventricular activation time in relation to the intrinsic deflection of the unipolar electrogram was significantly earlier at successful than unsuccessful sites (18.1 ± 4.8 vs. 24.4 ± 6.6 ms, p < 0.01). A QS complex on the unipolar electrogram was observed at 96% of successful sites and at 94% of unsuccessful sites (p = 0.74). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of an accessory pathway potential (p < 0.002) and early ventricular activation time in relation to the onset of the QRS complex (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of ablation success.Conclusions. Localization and radiofrequency catheter ablation of left-sided accessory pathways is possible in patients with sustained atrial fibrillation and rapid anterograde conduction over the accessory pathway during the ablation procedure. The electrophysiologic criteria described here can be used to reliably identify successful sites for radiofrequency ablation.     

Electrophysiologic characteristics,electropharmacologic responses and radiofrequency ablation in patients with decremental accessory pathway

Objectives. This study sought to characterize the functional properties of decremental accessory atrioventricular (AV) pathways and to investigate their pharmacologic responses.Background. Although decremental AV pathways associated with incessant reciprocating tachycardia have been studied extensively, information about the electrophysiologic characteristics and pharmacologic responses of anterograde and retrograde decremental AV pathways is limited.Methods. Of 759 consecutive patients with accessory pathway-mediated tachyarrhythmia, 74 with decremental AV pathways were investigated (mean age 43 ± 18 years). After baseline electrophysiologic study, the serial drugs adenosine, verapamil and procainamide were tested during atrial and ventricular pacing. Finally, radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed.Results. Five patients had anterograde decremental conduction over the accessory pathway but had no retrograde conduction. Of the 64 patients with retrograde decremental conduction over the accessory pathway, anterograde conduction over the pathway was absent in 41 (64%), intermittent in 5 (8%) and nondecremental in 18 (28%). In the remaining five patients, anterograde and retrograde decremental conduction over the same pathway was found. The anterograde and retrograde conduction properties and extent of decrement did not differ between anterograde and retrograde decremental pathways. Posteroseptal pathways had the highest incidences of anterograde and retrograde decremental conduction. Intravenous adenosine, procainamide and verapamil caused conduction delay or block, or both, in 10 of 10, 10 of 10 and 4 of 10 of the anterograde and 20 of 20, 20 of 20 and 8 of 20 of the retrograde decremental pathways, respectively. All patients had successful ablation of the decremental pathways without complications. During the follow-up period of 31 ± 19 months, only one patient experienced recurrence.Conclusions. Decremental accessory pathways usually had functionally distinct conduction characteristics in the anterograde and retrograde directions. Their pharmacologic responses suggested the heterogeneous mechanisms of decremental conduction.     

心房颤动时显性房室旁道的射频消融治疗

对 2 6例预激综合征患者于心房颤动 (简称房颤 )时射频消融显性房室旁道。其中左侧旁道 9例、右侧旁道17例 ,2 2例有阵发性房颤史。房颤发作伴旁道前传时的心室率为 171± 32 ( 132～ 2 37)bpm。采用经主动脉逆行法或穿间隔法消融左侧旁道、经股静脉途径消融右侧旁道 ,以最早心室前向激动点且有小A波处为消融靶点。房颤时成功消融靶点的V波较体表心电图预激波的起点提前 37.2± 8.1( 2 6～ 5 3)ms。放电 6± 3( 1～ 16 )次后 ,2 6例中有2 5例 ( 96 % )旁道前传被阻断 ,1例失败。阻断旁道前传后 30min ,3例自行恢复窦性心律 ,2 2例经直流电复律后恢复窦性心律 ,心室起搏示 2 5例中有 2 3例旁道逆传已被阻断 ,2例仍存在 ,经继续消融获得成功。随访 19.2± 11.7( 1～ 38)个月 ,除 1例复发正向前传型房室折返性心动过速 (O AVRT) ,经再次消融旁道逆传成功外 ,其他患者无O AVRT发作及旁道前传恢复的证据。结论 :心房颤动时射频消融显性房室旁道方法可行、成功率高     

Dimension and Related Anatomical Distance of Koch's Triangle in Patients with Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

Koch's Triangle in AVNRT. Introduction: The dimension of Koch's triangle in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia has not been well described. Understanding the dimension and anatomical distance related to Koch's triangle might be useful in avoiding accidental AV block during ablation of the slow pathway. The purposes of this study were to define the dimension of Koch's triangle and its related anatomical distance and correlate these parameters with the successful ablation sites in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Methods and Results: We studied 218 patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. The distance between the presumed proximal His-bundle area and the base of the coronary sinus orifice (D_His-Os) measured in the right anterior oblique view was used to define the dimension of Koch's triangle. The distance of the proximal His-bundle recording site from the successful ablation site (D_His-Ab) and the distance as a fraction of the entire length of Koch's triangle (D_His-Ab/D_His-Os) were determined. The mean D_His-Os, and D_His-Ab were 25.9 ± 7.9 and 13.4 ± 3.8 mm, respectively. D_His-os negatively correlated with patient age (r = -0.41, P < 0.0001) and body mass index (r = -0.18, P = 0.004). Among the patients with successful ablation sites in the medial area, D_His-Os was longer (27.2 ± 6.6 vs 24.6 ± 8.4 mm, P < 0.005), D_His–Ab was similar (12.9 ± 3.1 vs 13.9 ± 4.0, P > 0.05) and D_His-Ab/D_His-Os was smaller (0.48 ± 0.04 vs 0.74 ± 0.11, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the patients with successful ablation sites in the medial location needed more radiofrequency pulse numbers than those in the posterior location (6 ± 4 vs 4 ± 3, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The site of successful slow pathway ablation was consistently about 13 mm from the site recording the proximal His-bundle deflection in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia despite marked variability in the dimensions of Koch's triangle: therefore, patients with large triangles required ablation in the medial region rather than the posterior region. Care should be taken when delivering radiofrequency energy to the posteroseptal area in patients with shorter D_His-Os to avoid injury to AV node.     

Patterns of radiofrequency catheter ablation of left free-wall accessory pathways: Implications for accessory pathway anatomy

Despite the abundance of literature on the electrophysiology of accessory pathways, clinical data on their anatomic properties remain infrequent. The small and discrete nature of lesions generated by radiofrequency (RF) energy may allow better characterization of accessory pathway anatomy in the intact heart. RF catheter ablation was performed on 40 left free-wall accessory pathways in 39 consecutive patients with a unipolar endocardial approach. The patterns of accessory pathway ablation were identified. Spatial-electrophysiologic information provided by the ablation catheter at individual sites of RF application and corresponding data from the coronary sinus catheter were correlated with the effects of RF energy on accessory pathway conduction. Of 39 accessory pathways permanently (n = 37) or transiently (n = 2) ablated, 24 had “simple” ablation, with abolition of conduction by one individual RF application. In 15 of 24 pathways that could be crossed by the coronary sinus catheter, the concordance in anatomic and electrophysiologic information between the site of earliest retrograde atrial activation and the effective ablation position (ventricular approach) suggested a perpendicular fiber course. Fifteen pathways had “complex” ablations; of these, eight had spatial-electrophysiologic discordance between the atrial and ventricular insertions, suggesting an oblique fiber orientation. Seven pathways had modification or transient suppression of conduction, with or without subsequent abolition of conduction at identical or physically disparate (1 cm apart) sites; four pathways had sequential ablation of antegrade and retrograde conduction. These raised possibilities of broad fiber span and functional longitudinal dissociation of accessory pathway conduction. Accessory pathways with simple and complex ablations did not differ in clinical and electrophysiologic parameters. Complex ablations demanded more lengthy and difficult procedures. In conclusion, 38% of left free-wall accessory pathways in this series had complex patterns of RF ablation. The results of this study raised interesting implications in regard to accessory pathway anatomy and provided information that might facilitate electrophysiologic guidance of RF accessory pathway ablation.     

Identification of Fiber Orientation in Left Free-Wall Accessory Pathways: Implication for Radiofrequency Ablation

Previous reports on the anatomic discordance between atrial andventricular insertion sites of left free-wall accessory pathways werelimited and their findings were controversial. The purpose of this studywas to explore the fiber orientation and related electrophysiologiccharacteristics of left free-wall accessory pathways. The study populationcomprised 96 consecutive patients with a single left free-wall accessorypathway (33 manifest and 63 concealed pathways), who underwentelectrophysiologic study and radiofrequency catheter ablation using theretrograde ventricular approach. The atrial insertion site of the accessorypathway was defined from the cinefilms as the site with the earliestretrograde atrial activation bracketed on the coronary sinus catheterduring tachycardia, and the ventricular insertion site was defined as thesite where successful ablation of the pathway was achieved. Forty-twopatients (44%) had their atrial insertion sites 5-20 mm (10 ±3 mm) distal to the ventricular insertion sites (proximal excursion), 30(31%) patients had their atrial insertion sites 5-20 mm (12 ±3 mm) proximal to the ventricular insertion sites (distal excursion), and24 (25%) patients had directly aligned atrial and ventricular insertion sites. Retrograde conduction properties, including 1:1 VA conduction and effective refractory period, were significantly poorer inthe pathways with proximal excursion (302 ± 67, 285 ± 61 msrespectively) than in those with distal excursion (264 ± 56, 250± 48 ms respectively) or direct alignment (272 ± 61, 258± 73 ms respectively). Accessory pathways at the more posteriorlocation had a significantly higher incidence of proximal excursion (P= 0.006), and those at the more anterior location had a higherincidence of distal excursion (P = 0.012). In conclusion, a widevariation in fiber orientations and related electrophysiologic characteristics was found in left free-wall accessory pathways. This mayhave important clinical implications for radiofrequency ablation.     

Randomized Comparison of Two Techniques for Titrating Power During Radiofrequency Ablation of Accessory Pathways

Impedance Versus Temperature Monitoring. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the value of impedance and temperature monitoring during accessory pathway ablation. Temperature and impedance monitoring can be used during radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways to titrate power to achieve adequate but not excessive tissue beating. Methods and Results: One hundred thirty-two patients with a single accessory pathway were randomly assigned to undergo ablation using either impedance monitoring or temperature monitoring. During impedance monitoring, the endpoint for titration of power was a 5-to 10-Ω decrease in the measured impedance while for temperature monitoring the endpoint was to achieve a temperature of 58° to 62°C. Two protocols were used. In protocol 1 (90 patients), impedance monitoring was performed with a nonthermistor catheter and temperature monitoring was performed with a thermistor catheter. In protocol 2 (42 patients), a thermistor catheter was used in all patients. In protocol 1, the success rate (93% vs 93%; P = 1.0), ablation procedure duration (57 ± 56 vs 41 ± 41 min), fluoroscopy time (48 ± 29 vs 41 ± 23 min; P = 0.3), number of applications (6.2 ± 4.7 vs 5.7 ± 4.6; P = 0.8), and the number of applications associated with coagulum formation (0.1 ± 0.3 vs 0.3 ± 0.6; P = 0.1) were similar in the two groups. In protocol 2, as in protocol 1, there were no differences in the success rate (91% vs 95%; P = 1.0), ablation procedure duration (49 ± 37 vs 62 ± 55 min; P = 0.4), fluoroscopy time (46 ± 24 vs 49 ± 36 min; P = 0.8), number of applications (6.8 ± 7.0 vs 7.8 ± 12.1; P = 0.7), or number of applications associated witb coagulum formation (0.3 ± 0.6 vs 0.2 ± 0.7; P = 0.6) between the impedance and temperature monitoring groups. Conclusion: Temperature and impedance monitoring are equally effective in optimizing the results of accessory pathway ablation.     

经上腔静脉途径射频消融右侧前上和前间隔房室旁道

报道经上腔静脉途径射频消融右侧前上和前间隔房室旁道的体会。 13例右侧前上或前间隔单一房室旁道患者 ,常规下腔静脉途径消融未能成功 ,失败原因包括 :消融电极与心肌接触不良或难以固定于三尖瓣环上。改经上腔静脉途径成功消融阻断所有房室旁道。平均放电 1.8± 0 .7次 ,输出功率 33± 4W ,消融靶点电图振幅明显高于下腔静脉途径 (1.4± 0 .3mVvs 0 .6± 0 .4mV ,P <0 .0 5 )。术后随访 17± 9个月 ,无 1例复发。作者认为对经下腔静脉途径消融失败的右侧前上和前间隔房室旁道采用上腔静脉途径消融可获得成功。     

利用单极标测在心房颤动时消融显性房室旁道

对12例预激综合征患者在心房颤动时以单极标测指导消融房室旁道，其中左侧显性旁道9例、右侧显性旁道3例。在消融成功的靶点图上，单极标测的心室激动较体表心电图QRS波群显示预激成分最明显的Delta波平均提前46±7ms。全部病例消融成功。平均随访7．9±5．1个月，除1例右侧旁道4个月后恢复旁道前向传导需再次消融外，其余11例常规和动态心电图既未见Delta波，也无房室折返性心动过速和心房颤动发生。结果提示对于心房颤动合并显性房室旁道的患者，采用单极标测，其图形易于迅速辨认、测量方法亦简单，用以指导消融成功率高。     

Differential Effect of Esmolol on the Fast and Slow AV Nodal Pathways in Patients with AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

Esmolol Effect on AV Nodal Pathways. Introduction: AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) usually involves anterograde conduction over a slowly conducting (“slow”) pathway and retrograde conduction over a rapidly conducting (“fast”) pathway. A variety of drugs, such as beta blockers, digitalis, and calcium channel blockers, have been reported to prolong AV nodal refractoriness in both the anterograde and retrograde limbs of the circuit. However, few data are available that address whether the fast and slow pathways respond in a quantitatively different manner to drugs such as beta-adrenergic antagonists. In addition, it is not known whether the effects of these agents on refractoriness parallel the effects on conduction in the fast and slow pathways. The present study was performed to measure the effect of the intravenous beta-adrenergic agent, esmolol, on refractoriness and conduction in both the fast and slow AV nodal pathways in patients with AVNRT. Methods and Results: Thirteen patients with discontinuous AV nodal conduction properties and typical AVNRT were studied. Anterograde and retrograde AV nodal functional assessment was performed at baseline and following steady-state drug infusion of intravenous esmolol at a dose of 500 μg/kg for 1 minute, 150 /μg/kg per minute for the next 4 minutes, followed by a continuous maintenance infusion of 50 to 100 μg/kg per minute. The anterograde effective refractory period of the fast pathway increased from 381 ± 75 msec at baseline to 453 ± 92 msec during the infusion of esmolol (P = 0.003). The anterograde effective refractory period of the slow pathway was also prolonged by esmolol, from 289 ± 26 msec to 310 ± 17 msec (P = 0.005). However, the absolute magnitude of the change in the anterograde effective refractory period of the fast pathway (+72 ± 59 msec) was significantly greater than the change in anterograde effective refractory period of the slow pathway (+21 ± 16 msec, P = 0.01). The mean retrograde effective refractory period of the fast pathway increased from 276 ± 46 msec to 376 ± 61 msec during esmolol infusion (P = 0.03). Retrograde slow pathway conduction that could not be demonstrated at baseline became manifest in three patients during esmolol infusion. In contrast to the effects of esmolol on refractoriness, the AH interval during anterograde slow pathway conduction prolonged to a far greater extent (+84 msec) than the HA interval associated with retrograde fast pathway conduction (+5 msec, P = 0.04). Conclusion: The beta-adrenergic antagonist, esmolol, has a quantitatively greater effect on anterograde refractoriness of the fast than the slow AV nodal pathway. However, the effects on conduction intervals during AVNRT are greater in the anterograde slow pathway than in the retrograde fast pathway. These observations suggest that the fast and slow pathways may have differential sensitivities to autonomic influences. This difference in the response to beta-adrenergic antagonists may be exploited as a clinically useful method for demonstrating slow pathway conduction in some individuals with AVNRT.     

Site of Accessory Pathway Block After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Site of Accessory Pathway Block. Introduction: Recent studies have demonstrated that the most common site of accessory pathway conduction block following the introduction of a premature atrial stimulus during atrial pacing is between the accessory pathway potential and the ventricular electrogram. consistent with block at the ventricular insertion of the accessory pathway. However, no prior study has evaluated the site of conduction block during radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the site of conduction block after catheter ablation of accessory pathways by analyzing and comparing the local electrograms recorded before and after radiofrequency energy delivery at successful ablation sites. Methods and Results: The electrograms evaluated in this study were obtained from 85 consecutive patients who underwent successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of a manifest accessory pathway. The 50 left free-wall accessory pathways were ablated using a ventricular approach and the 35 right free-wall or posteroseptal accessory pathways were ablated using an atrial approach. The characteristics of local electrograms recorded immediately before and immediately after successful ablation of the accessory pathway were determined in each patient. The site of accessory pathway block was determined by comparing the amplitude, timing, and morphology of the local eleclrograms at successful sites of radiofrequency catheter ablation before and after delivery of radiofrequency energy. A putative accessory pathway potential was present at the successful target site in 74 of the 85 patients (87%). Conduction block occurred between the atrial electrogram and the accessory pathway potential in 66 patients (78%) and between the accessory pathway potential and the ventricular electrogram in eight patients (9%). The site of block could not be determined in 11 patients (13%) in whom an accessory pathway potential was absent. Conduction block occurred most frequently between the atrial electrogram and the accessory pathway potential regardless of accessory pathway location. No electrogram parameter or accessory pathway characteristic was predictive of the site of conduction block. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that conduction block occurs most frequently between the local atrial electrogram and the accessory pathway potential during radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways. This is true regardless of whether the accessory pathway is ablated from the atrial or ventricular aspect of the mitral or tricuspid annulus.     

Impact of the Local Atrial Electrogram in AV Nodal Reentrant tachycardia: Abaltion Versus Modification of the Slow Pathway

Electrogram in AVNRT. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of successful ablation versus modification sites of the slow pathway in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Complete elimination of slow pathway conduction (“ablation”) is considered to be an appropriate endpoint during radiofrequency (RF) current delivery, whereas the persistence of residual slow pathway conduction with or without single echo beats (“modification”) may be indicative of tachycardia recurrence. Methods and Results: Of 131 patients, 71 consecutive patients were followed for 15.1 ± 7.6 months. After elimination of inducible AV nodal reentrant tachycardia in all patients, residual slow pathway conduction (modification) persisted in 38 patients, whereas complete elimination of slow pathway conduction (ablation) was documented in 33 patients. Including electrophysiologic study after 5 to 7 days and after 3 to 6 months, 6 (8.4%) patients had recurrences: 5 with residual slow pathway conduction after the procedure and 1 with complete elimination of slow pathway conduction (P < 0.05). As compared with modulated sites, ablation sites of the slow pathway were characterized as follows: (1) duration of the local atrial electrogram (AEGM) (66.7 ± 10.2 vs 54.1 ± 12.6 msec, P < 0.01); (2) interval from the end of the AEGM to onset of His-bundle deflection (4.4 ± 8.2 vs 16.1 ± 9.3 msec, P < 0.01); and (3) number of peaks of the AEGM as an indicator of fractionation (4.1 ± 0.7 vs 3.0 ± 0.8, P < 0.01). The rate of junctional tachycardias (103.4 ± 12.1 vs 102.1 ± 16.9 per min), the AV ratio (0.4 ± 0.5 vs 0.5 ± 0.5), the number of RF current deliveries (4.1 ± 4.4 vs 4.5 ± 4.4), the duration of the procedure (124.1 ± 45.3 vs 125.6 ± 42.3 min), and the fluoroscopy time (15.5 ± 10.8 vs 16.6 ± 9.6 min) as well as power and total energy of RF current deliveries and the anatomically calculated catheter position at the successful site were not statistically different. A subset analysis in patients who received only a single RF application showed the same results for both groups. Patients without recurrence (n = 65) were found to have longer duration of the AEGM (61.9 ± 14.6 msec) and a shorter interval from the end of AEGM to the onset of His-bundle deflection (10.1 ± 12.2 msec) than patients with recurrence (n = 6) (47.5 ± 7.5 msec and 20.8 ± 12.8 msec, respectively). Conclusion: Complete ablation of the slow pathway resulted in a lower recurrence rate. The complete ablation approach is feasible using precisely analyzed local AEGMs to guide RF current in AV nodal reentrant tachycardia in a short procedure time.     

Effects of Slow Pathway Ablation on Fast Pathway Function in Patients with Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

Effects of Slow Pathway Ablation. Introduction: This study investigated whether fast pathway conduction properties are altered by slow pathway ablation in patients with AV nodal reentrant tacbycardia. Methods and Results: Forty consecutive patients who underwent successful ablation of the slow pathway were prospective subjects for the study. Isoproterenol was used to enhance conduction and to differentiate interactive mechanisms. Potential electrotonic interactions were assessed by comparing patients with and those without residual dual AV node pbysiology after slow pathway ablation. Paired and unpaired t-tests were used when appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In the entire study population, heart rates were not significantly different before and after slow pathway ablation (RR = 770 ± 114 msec before and 745 ± 99 msec after, P = 0.07). Anterograde fast pathway conduction properties were unchanged after slow pathway ablation (effective refractory period, 348 ± 84 msec before and 336 ± 86 msec after, P = 0.13; shortest 1:1 conduction, 410 ± 93 msec before and 400 ± 82 msec after, P = 0.39). Retrograde fast pathway characteristics also were similar before and after ablation. Neither anterograde nor retrograde last pathway conduction properties during isoproterenol infusion were changed by slow pathway ablation. When the study population was further divided into patients with (n= 13) or without (n = 27) residual dual AV node pbysiology, no significant change was detected in fast pathway function in either group after slow patbway ablation. Conclusions: Fast pathway conduction characteristics were not affected by slow pathway ablation. In patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, observations suggest that fast and slow pathways are functionally distinct.     

High‐Density Mapping of the Sinus Node in Humans: Role of Preferential Pathways and the Effect of Remodeling

Sinus Node Mapping . Introduction: The area of the functional sinus node complex exceeds that of the anatomical sinus node; however, reasons for this discrepancy are unknown. We aimed to characterize the functional sinus node complex in health and disease with high‐density simultaneous mapping. Methods and Results: Sinus node activity was characterized in 15 reference patients after ablation for supraventricular tachycardia. A further 16 patients were studied following ablation of chronic atrial flutter to determine effects of atrial remodeling. High‐density simultaneous mapping of the sinus node complex was performed using a multi‐electrode array. In reference patients, distance from superior vena cava‐right atrial (SVC‐RA) junction to earliest activation (EA) was 4 ± 4 mm and sinus break‐out (SBO) 9 ± 6 mm. Preferential pathways of conduction were observed between EA and SBO. For patients with flutter, these distances were greater (EA: 15 ± 12 mm, P = 0.003; SBO: 23 ± 11 mm, P < 0.001). Conduction time along preferential pathways was 15 ± 5 ms for reference patients and 23 ± 8 ms for patients with flutter (P = 0.005). Following pacing, distance from SVC–RA junction to EA and SBO lengthened to 13 ± 8 mm (P = 0.006) and 16 ± 10 mm (P = 0.02), respectively, in reference patients, and 19 ± 12 mm (P = 0.045), 28 ± 9 mm (P = 0.02) in patients with flutter. This resulted in caudal shifts in EA and SBO of 10 ± 9 mm and 7 ± 8 mm in reference patients but diminished shifts in patients with flutter; 4 ± 7 mm and 4 ± 6 mm. Conclusion: The functional sinus node complex demonstrates dynamic changes in activation. There are preferential pathways of conduction from sinus node to atrial myocardium. The remodeled atria demonstrate longer conduction times along preferential pathways and a restricted functional sinus node complex. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 532‐539, May 2010)     

预激综合征患者发生阵发性心房颤动机制的探讨

目的通过分析预激综合征患者旁道的电生理特性以及消融旁道后P波离散度(Pd)的计算,探讨预激综合征发生阵发性心房颤动(简称房颤)的机制。方法分析预激综合征合并旁道介导的阵发性心动过速患者127例。根据既往有无阵发性房颤(PAF)发作将患者分为PAF组(23例)和无PAF组(NPAF,104例)2组进行分析。电生理检查测定旁道的前传和逆传不应期。消融成功术后24h描记12导联心电图测量P波最大时限(Pmax)、P波最小时限(Pmin),计算Pd。结果消融前PAF组旁道前传和逆传不应期较NPAF组短(前传:265.3±42.5msvs331.4±38.7ms;逆传:255.8±46.7msvs317.5±31.7ms;P均<0.05)。消融术后心电图Pmax和PdPAF组显著长于NPAF组(Pmax:135.2±12.5msvs120.4±8.7ms;Pd:51.6±10.3msvs32.7±6.7ms;P均<0.05)。结论旁道有效不应期缩短和窦性激动在心房内的非均质传导在预激综合征患者房颤发生中可能起重要作用。     

PR/RR Interval Ratio During Rapid Atrial Pacing:

Method for Confirming Slow Pathway Conduction. Introduction: Although the AV conduction curve in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is usually discontinuous, many patients with this arrhythmia do not demonstrate criteria for dual AV nodal pathways. During rapid atrial pacing, the PR interval often exceeds the pacing cycle length when there is anterograde conduction over the slow pathway and AVNRT is induced. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the diagnostic value of the ratio of the PR interval to the RR interval during rapid atrial pacing as an indicator of anterograde slow pathway conduction in patients undergoing electrophysioiogic testing. Methods and Results: The PR and RR intervals were measured during rapid atrial pacing at the maximum rate with consistent 1:1 AV conduction in four study groups: (1) patients with inducible AV nodal reentry and the classical criterion for dual AV nodal pathways during atrial extrastimulus testing (AVNRT Group 1); (2) patients with inducible AV nodal reentry without dual AV nodal pathways (AVNRT Group 2); (3) control subjects ≤ 60 years of age without inducible AV nodal reentry; and (4) control subjects > 60 years of age without inducible AV nodal reentry. For both groups of patients with inducible AV nodal reentry, AV conduction was assessed before and after radiofrequency ablation of the slow AV nodal pathway. Before slow pathway ablation, the PR/RR ratio exceeded 1.0 in 12 of 13 AVNRT Group 1 patients (mean 1.27 ± 0.21) and 16 of 17 AVNRT Group 2 patients (mean 1.18 ± 0.15, P = NS Group 1 vs Group 2). After slow pathway ablation, the maximum PR/RR ratio was < 1.0 in all AVNRT patients (Group 1 = 0.59 ± 0.08, P < 0. 00001 vs before ablation: Group 2 = 0.67 ± 0.11; P < 0.00001 vs before ablation). Among both groups of control subjects, the PR/RR ratio was > 1.0 in only 3 of 27 patients with no relation to patient age. Conclusion: The ratio of the PR interval to the RR interval during rapid atrial pacing at the maximum rate with consistent 1:1 AV conduction provides a simple and clinically useful method for determining the presence of slow AV nodal pathway conduction. This finding may be particularly useful in patients with inducible AV nodal reentry without dual AV nodal physiology on atrial extrastimulus testing.     

Effect of Isoproterenol on Accessory Pathways Without Overt Retrograde Conduction

Effect of Isoproterenol on Accessory Pathways. Introduction : Absence of overt retrograde accessory pathway conduction may be related to low resting sympathetic tone in patients with apparent unidirectional anterogradely conducting accessory pathways (UACAP).
Methods and Results : To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of isoproterenol on accessory pathway function and tachycardia induction in 18 patients (12 men and 6 women, ages 34 ± 16 years [mean ± SD]) with UACAP. After baseline study in the drug-free state, electrophysiologic testing was repeated during infusion of isoproterenol (0.5 to 1.5 μg/min, titrated to increase heart rate by 20%). Isoproterenol shortened the anterograde effective refractory period (398 ± 117 vs 305 ± 63 msec; P < 0.01; basic drive cycle length 600 msec) of the accessory pathway. However, retrograde accessory pathway conduction and atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia were exposed in only 3 (17%) patients by isoproterenol infusion. All 3 patients with retrograde accessory pathway revealed after isoproterenol had clinically documented tachycardia (supraventricular tachycardia in 2, atrial fibrillation in 1) during exercise, while none of the patients with persistent absence of retrograde accessory pathway conduction had this symptom.
Conclusions : We conclude that absence of overt retrograde conduction over accessory pathways may be related to low resting sympathetic tone in some individuals. Restoration of retrograde conduction with isoproterenol is unusual and most likely to be observed in patients with clinically documented paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia related to exercise.     

Ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia with a prolonged PR interval during sinus rhythm: the risk of delayed higher-degree atrioventricular block

Introduction: Delayed higher‐degree atrioventricular (AV) block can develop after slow pathway ablation for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia with a preexisting first‐degree AV block. Retrograde fast pathway ablation is considered as an alternative approach for patients with a markedly prolonged PR interval and no demonstrable anterograde fast pathway function at baseline. This study aimed to determine the long‐term reliability of AV conduction after retrograde fast pathway ablation in comparison to slow pathway ablation in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia and a first‐degree AV block at baseline. Methods and Results: Among 43 patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia and a prolonged PR interval (defined as ≥200 msec), 10 patients without demonstrable dual pathway physiology underwent ablation of the retrograde fast pathway, and 33 patients with dual pathway physiology underwent slow pathway ablation. Persisting intraprocedural second‐ or third‐degree AV block requiring pacemaker implantation occurred in one patient (10%) after retrograde fast pathway ablation and in one patient (3%) after slow pathway ablation. During the long‐term follow‐up of 61 ± 39 months after retrograde fast pathway ablation, no delayed second‐ or third‐degree AV block occurred, and the PR interval remained unchanged (308 ± 60 msec vs 304 ± 52 msec) . During the follow‐up of 37 ± 25 months after slow pathway ablation, a delayed complete heart block developed in two patients, and a second‐degree AV block developed in two patients. Three patients aged 66, 75, and 76 years died suddenly of unknown cause 4, 16, and 48 months following slow pathway ablation, respectively. Conclusions: Slow pathway ablation was associated with a significant risk of a delayed higher‐degree AV block in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia and a prolonged PR interval at baseline. Retrograde fast pathway ablation for patients with a first‐degree AV block and no demonstrable dual pathway physiology was associated with a higher intraprocedural risk of complete AV block but did not result in the development of higher‐degree AV block during the long‐term follow‐up of up to 9 years.     

Multiple anterograde atrioventricular node pathways in patients with atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia

Objectives. This study sought to investigate electrophysiologic characteristics and possible anatomic sites of multiple anterograde slow atrioventricular (AV) node pathways and to compare these findings with those in dual anterograde AV node pathways.Background. Although multiple anterograde AV node pathways have been demonstrated by the presence of multiple discontinuities in the AV node conduction curve, the role of these pathways in the initiation and maintenance of AV node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is still unclear, and possible anatomic sites of these pathways have not been reported.Methods. This study included 500 consecutive patients with AVNRT who underwent electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency ablation. Twenty-six patients (5.2%) with triple or more anterograde AV node pathways were designated as Group I (16 female, 10 male, mean age 48 ± 14 years), and the other 474 patients (including 451 with and 23 without dual anterograde AV node pathways) were designated as Group II (257 female, 217 male; mean age 52 ± 16 years).Results. Of the 21 patients with triple anterograde AV node pathways, AVNRT was initiated through the first slow pathway only in 3, through the second slow pathway only in 8 and through the two slow pathways in 9. Of the five patients with quadruple anterograde AV node pathways, AVNRT was initiated through all three anterograde slow pathways in three and through the two slower pathways (the second and third slow pathways) in two. After radiofrequency catheter ablation, no patient had inducible AVNRT. Eleven patients (42.3%) in Group I had multiple anterograde slow pathways eliminated simulataneously at a single ablation site. Eight patients (30.7%) had these slow pathways eliminated at different ablation sites; the slow pathways with a longer conduction time were ablated more posteriorly in the Koch's triangle than those with a shorter conduction time. The remaining seven patients (27%) had a residual slow pathway after delivery of radiofrequency energy at a single or different ablation sites. The patients in Group I had a longer tachycardia cycle length, poorer retrograde conduction properties and a higher incidence of multiple types of AVNRT than those in Group II.Conclusions. Multiple anterograde AV node pathways are not rare in patients with AVNRT. However, not all of the anterograde slow pathways were involved in the initiation and maintenance of tachycardia. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was safe and effective in eliminating critical slow pathways to cure AVNRT.     

Electrophysiologic and histopathologic correlations in a case of permanent form of reciprocating tachycardia

A case of permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia withpost-mortem documentation of an accessory atrioventricutar pathwayas the substrate of the arrhythmia is reported. Tachycardiahad lasted for 15 years and showed a retrograde P wave (P')and R–P' longer than P'–R interval. The tachycardiacircuit utilized a concealed posterior septal accessory pathwayas the retrograde limb. Because the arrhythmia was disablingand unresponsive to pharmacological treatment, the patient underwentclosed chest ablation of the His bundle. After the procedure,no anterograde or retrograde conduction over the normal conductionsystem was observed; anterograde conduction over the anomalouspathway showed decremental properties. Because of previous myocardialinfarction, the patient developed a ventricular aneurysm anddied suddenly 5 months after His bundle ablation. Histologicalexamination of the heart revealed a group of tiny fibromuscularbundles joining the lower rim of the coronary sinus outlet tothe summit of the interventricular septums; the anomalous atrioventricularconnection pursued a sinuous, tortuous path. The geometricaldisposition of the accessory pathway may have been responsiblefor the decremental properties of conduction observed duringlife.