Epicardial foci of atrial arrhythmias apparently originating in the left pulmonary veins

INTRODUCTION: Epicardial potential sources of atrial arrhythmias, such as the ligament of Marshall, are in close proximity with, and electrically connected to, the left superior pulmonary vein. Ectopic activity arising from these areas may be difficult to differentiate from ectopy that, according to endocardial only mapping, originates in the left superior pulmonary vein. We hypothesized that in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) apparently originating in the left pulmonary veins, mapping through the distal coronary sinus might identify possible epicardial locations of the arrhythmogenic focus. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty patients (age 48 +/- 12 years) who underwent catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF were studied by epicardial mapping through the distal, superoposterior coronary sinus. Catheterization of the distal coronary sinus in order to approach the ostium of the left superior pulmonary vein was feasible in 14 of 19 patients with AF originating in the left superior vein (11 patients) or inferior pulmonary vein (3 patients) according to endocardial mapping criteria. In 2 patients, the sole focus of atrial tachycardia/fibrillation was epicardial with earliest activation clearly preceding electrograms recorded at the os of the left superior pulmonary vein or any other endocardial mapping site. Epicardial potentials separated from atrial electrograms were present during sinus rhythm in both patients and during atrial tachycardia in one patient. Catheter ablation through the coronary sinus rendered the arrhythmia noninducible in both patients without abolishing epicardial potentials in one of them. CONCLUSION: In patients with paroxysmal AF apparently originating from the left superior or inferior pulmonary vein, detailed epicardial mapping through the distal coronary sinus might identify epicardial locations of the arrhythmogenic focus.     

心房颤动消融术后二尖瓣峡部房性心动过速的发生机制及消融治疗

目的探讨心房颤动(简称房颤)患者环肺静脉左房线性消融术后二尖瓣峡部房性心动过速(简称房速)的发生机制及其消融策略。方法122例房颤患者采用EnSite-NavX和环状电极行环肺静脉左房线性消融,术后32例复发房颤或房速,8例经EnSite-NavX激动标测及拖带标测证实存在二尖瓣峡部房速,在三维导航下于左下肺静脉口部下缘至二尖瓣环之间行线性消融,对不能成功阻断二尖瓣峡部传导者予以冠状静脉窦内消融。术中同时探查双侧肺静脉电位,如传导恢复予以再次隔离。结果8例中2例呈无休止性发作,6例为阵发性,可被程序刺激诱发。房速的周长217.5±20.6ms,其中顺钟向折返5例,逆钟向折返3例。二尖瓣峡部线性消融至完全性双向传导阻滞5例,3例心内膜途径失败者经冠状静脉窦内消融,其中1例获得成功。术后随访5.5±4.3个月,6例无房颤及房速发作,1例仍有阵发性房速发作。另1例术后房速呈无休止发作,予以胺碘酮及美托洛尔控制心室率治疗。结论环肺静脉线性消融术后发生的二尖瓣峡部房速与左房线性消融治疗房颤的致心律失常作用有关,其主要的机制是消融线相关的大折返性心动过速,阻断峡部传导可以治疗此类房速。     

心房颤动递进式线性消融后的左心房扑动

目的旨在探讨心房颤动（房颤）递进式线性消融术中出现的房性心律失常的电生理特点及消融的结果。方法对80例房颤消融中出现规律的房性心律失常进行非接触激动顺序标测,判断电生理机制并指导消融。结果共146阵心动过速,4阵为左心房房性心动过速（房速）,周长为（225±49）ms,其余142阵为左心房扑动,左心房激动时间占心动过速周长的100％,周长为（205±37）ms,均与房颤“7”字消融线上的缝隙有关。根据缝隙的位置将心房扑动的折返环分为3类：Ⅰ类（n=68）,缝隙位于左心耳-左上肺静脉间的嵴部,Ⅱ类（n=50）,缝隙位于左心房顶部,Ⅲ类（n=24）,缝隙位于二尖瓣环峡部。其中130阵消融成功,其余16阵因消融反应欠佳后经药物或体外电转复为窦性心律。随访（16．2±6．7）个月,82．5％（66／80）的患者可维持窦性心律。结论房颤递进式线性消融术中出现的房性心律失常多为大折返机制,且与“7”字消融线上的缝隙有关,这些缝隙主要位于左心耳-左上肺静脉间的嵴部。非接触标测技术能快速准确地识别这些缝隙并指导消融。     

Real-time monitoring of luminal esophageal temperature during left atrial radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: observations about esophageal heating during ablation at the pulmonary vein ostia and posterior left atrium

INTRODUCTION: Left atrial radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) is gaining acceptance as treatment for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). This therapy has been associated with esophageal injury and atrioesophageal fistula formation causing death. METHODS: We describe 3 patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF during real-time monitoring of luminal esophageal temperature. RESULTS: We observed heating of the esophagus during short duration low power RFA, at either the left or right pulmonary vein ostia. Cryoablation at the pulmonary vein ostium in one patient resulted in esophageal cooling. Furthermore, we observed that fluoroscopic localization of the ablation catheter at a site apparently distant from the esophagus is not adequate to assure avoidance of ablation-induced esophageal heating. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time monitoring of luminal esophageal position and temperature is feasible, enhances recognition of esophageal heating, and may add useful information beyond that provided by fluoroscopic assessment of esophageal position. There is a potential role for esophageal monitoring to help avoid thermal injury to the esophagus during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.     

Catheter ablation of ectopic atrial tachycardia by electrical pulmonary vein disconnection

We report a 25-year-old female patient with a long history of symptomatic paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Electroanatomic activation mapping demonstrated a focal tachycardia originating in the right upper pulmonary vein, 3 cm distal to the ostium. Due to the recent experiences in the management of focal atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation, direct ablation applied inside the pulmonary vein was avoided. Instead, an electrical disconnection of the pulmonary musculature from the left atrium guided by a circumferential 10-electrode mapping catheter was performed. The patient has since been asymptomatic during follow-up.     

心房颤动射频消融术后晚期复发的相关因素

目的:分析心房颤动（房颤）经导管射频消融术后晚期复发的相关因素。方法:房颤患者117例接受经导管射频消融术治疗,术前进行常规检查评估,在CARTO三维标测系统指导下行左房环肺静脉消融,必要时加行左房线性消融、右房线性消融等策略。如果在消融结束后心电监护仍为房颤心律,则行体外电复律。通过术后随访（>3个月）确定房颤消融术后是否复发,收集相关的随访资料分析房颤术后晚期复发的预测因素。结果:①所有患者均完成环肺静脉隔离。58例患者在环肺静脉消融基础上加行左房线性消融、右房线性消融等方法。37例房颤患者在消融后房颤仍持续,经体外电转复均恢复窦律。32例(27.3%)患者在术后晚期复发。②单因素分析显示性别、并发器质性心脏病、房颤病程、持续性房颤、左房内径、左室射血分数和复律与术后房颤晚期复发相关（均P<0.05）。③经多因素分析后仅有性别、左房内径、房颤病程是房颤晚期复发的独立预测指标(分别P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:性别、房颤病程、左房内径是房颤导管消融术后晚期复发的独立预测因素。     

三维标测系统指导下环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

目的 探讨三维标测系统指导下环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动的安全性和有效性.方法 阵发性心房颤动92例和持续性或永久性心房颤动36例,接受环肺静脉消融术.采用Carto电解剖标测系统,进行环肺静脉左心房线性消融,消融终点为肺静脉电隔离.手术结束时对心律仍为心房颤动者行同步直流电心脏复律.结果 完成"解剖学"环形消融线256条,其中58.6%达到电隔离肺静脉的终点,经寻找缝隙补充消融后最终248条(96.9%)消融线达到终点.手术时间(231±45)min、X线曝光时间(42±13)min和放电时间(66±17)min.术后随访平均10个月,无复发101例(78.9%).接受了再次手术15例,心内电生理检查证实14例有左心房-肺静脉传导,射频消融成功并随访30～270 d,两次射频消融术后总成功率为87.5%,其中阵发性心房颤动成功率为93.0%,持续性或永久性心房颤动为76.7%.并发症发生率为6.2%,包括心包填塞2例、小脑梗死2例、股静脉穿刺部位血肿1例和左侧大量血胸1例,经治疗后均痊愈.结论 以肺静脉电隔离为目标的环肺静脉消融术治疗心房颤动有效和安全.     

Non-contact three-dimensional mapping and ablation of swallowing-induced atrial tachyarrhythmias: two case reports

We describe two cases of swallowing-induced tachyarrhythmias that were cured by radiofrequency ablation (RFCA) using a non-contact mapping system (NCMS). In both patients, tachyarrhythmias occurred during swallowing solids and liquids, and mapping and ablation of the arrhythmia using the NCMS was attempted during swallowing a rice ball. During a premature atrial contraction shortly after the swallow, the earliest endocardial breakthrough occurred at the right superior pulmonary vein (PV) ostium in Case 1 and at the left superior PV ostium and postero-inferior right atrium in Case 2. Guided by the NCMS catheter navigation system, the ablation catheter was easily and precisely positioned at a site where the earliest endocardial breakthrough occurred. RFCA at that site resulted in success and no recurrence or complications occurred during the follow-up in either patient.     

心房颤动环肺静脉口外线性消融术后二次消融的电生理发现及随访结果

目的介绍三维导航下环肺静脉口外线性消融治疗心房颤动（房颤）术后快速房性心律失常及房颤复发患者二次消融时的电生理发现、消融策略及随访结果。方法2004年4月至2006年5月,采用左心房线性消融治疗房颤共91例。术后4例患者因心动过速反复发作或无休止发作于2周内行二次消融术。随访3个月后,25例患者有快速性心律失常发作,其中15例接受二次消融术。在所有接受二次消融的19例患者中,第一次消融前房颇为阵发性者11例,持续性2例,永久性6例,其中男性17例,女性2例,年龄25～65（53±12）岁。所有患者术中均使用环状电极行肺静脉电位探查。结果5例患者发现窦律下左侧肺静脉延迟电位,1例出现右侧肺静脉延迟电位,2例患者双侧同时出现延迟肺静脉电位;此类患者于环状电极指导下标测原消融线径的传导“缺口”并再次隔离成功。3例患者左侧肺静脉内颤动样节律,递减传导至左心房出现不规则房性心动过速;此类患者再次于三维标测指导下行左侧环状消融隔离成功;1例患者左侧肺静脉心动过速并1：1传导至左心房,经终止心动过速后隔离成功。4例患者肺静脉探查未发现肺静脉电位,但诱发出其他心动过速,包括右房瘢痕性房性心动过速、隐匿性旁路介导的室上性心动过速、右后间隔局灶性房性心动过速及三尖瓣峡部依赖的心房扑动。此4例患者在常规标测和三维标测指导下,心动过速均被成功消融。术中呈房颤节律者3例,再次于三维标测指导下行环肺静脉线性消融获成功。平均随访4～26（11．5±8．5）个月,16例患者无快速性心律失常发作,1例有频繁房性早搏,1例永久性房颤患者仍呈房颤节律,另1例永久性房颤患者转为阵发性房颤。结论肺静脉与左心房之间电传导恢复是消融术后出现快速房性心律失常的主要因素。肺静脉以外的心动过速在左心房线性消融术后可以表现为独立的心动过速,也可以触发房颤;环肺静脉口外线性消融不足以完全改良永久性房颤的维持基质。     

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.     

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。     

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。     

多排螺旋CT检测肺静脉变异及肺静脉孔指数在心房颤动射频消融术前的应用

目的评价心房颤动（房颤）射频消融术前肺静脉变异类型及肺静脉孔指数。方法回顾性分析2005年6月至2006年5月房颤患者射频消融术前16排螺旋CT肺静脉造影64例,在最大密度投影重建图像上测量左上、左下、右上、右下、共干及独立肺静脉孔处肺静脉的前后径及上下径,计算肺静脉孔指数,比较左上、左下、右上、右下肺静脉孔指数差异有无统计学意义。所有统计工作由SPSS软件完成。结果在64例房颤患者中,肺静脉正常无变异11例,占17．19％;肺静脉提前分支45例,占70．31％,共69支肺静脉;左侧共干5例,占7．81％,其中1例两侧共干;右侧独立肺静脉5例,占7．81％;左侧中肺静脉1例,占1．56％。同侧、两侧上肺静脉的肺静脉孔指数差异无统计学意义,P〉0．05。左上与右下、左下与右上及两下肺静脉的肺静脉孔指数差异有统计学意义,P〈0．05。右下肺静脉孔最圆,平均指数最大,为0．88;左下肺静脉孔最接近椭圆型,平均指数最小,为0．72。结论多排螺旋CT肺静脉造影能为房颤射频消融术提供肺静脉解剖信息,如肺静脉变异及肺静脉孔指数,应列为术前常规检查。     

Incidence of pulmonary vein stenosis 2 years after radiofrequency catheter ablation of refractory atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Pulmonary vein ablation offers the potential to cure patients with atrial fibrillation. In this study, we investigated the incidence of pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency catheter ablation of refractory atrial fibrillation by systematic long-term follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with refractory and highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic triggers inside the pulmonary veins and/or ostial pulmonary vein isolation with conventional mapping and ablation technology. These patients had follow-up examinations at 2 years with transoesophageal doppler-echo and/or angio magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of the pulmonary veins. Seventy-seven percent of the patients were free from atrial fibrillation, 51% were without antiarrhythmic drugs, and 26% were on previously ineffective antiarrhythmic drug therapy. However, 13 of the 47 patients showed significant pulmonary vein stenosis or occlusion. Only three of these 13 patients complained of dyspnoea. Distal ablations inside the pulmonary vein were associated with a 5.6-fold higher risk of stenosis than ostial ablations. CONCLUSIONS: At 2-year follow-up, the risk of significant pulmonary vein stenosis/occlusion after radiofrequency catheter ablation of refractory atrial fibrillation with conventional mapping and ablation technology was 28%. Distal ablations inside smaller pulmonary veins should be avoided because of the higher risk of stenosis than ablation at the ostium.     

Utility of non-contact three-dimensional mapping of the left atrium for ablation of left atrial tachycardia

A 78-year-old man with a highly symptomatic left atrial tachycardia, refractory to medical therapy, was referred for radiofrequency catheter ablation. Using a double trans-septal technique, two long sheaths were placed across the interatrial septum into the left atrium. Using a 64-electrode non-contact three-dimensional mapping technique, the left atrium was reconstructed and the focus localized to the right superior pulmonary vein ostium. Radiofrequency energy was applied and eliminated the ectopic focus. In summary, a three-dimensional non-contact mapping catheter can facilitate ectopic left atrial tachycardia ablation.     

递进式个体化心房基质消融治疗心房颤动

目的 以肺静脉电学隔离为终点的心房颤动（房颤）消融术式的疗效难以令人满意。本研究旨在探索规范化的递进式个体化心房基质改良消融术治疗房颤的方法。方法 124例患者（男性96例,女性28例）,年龄27-76（53．6±8．7）岁。其中92例为阵发性房颤,32例为持续性／永久性房颤。若无自发房颤则在心房进行持续递增的快速刺激（频率200—600次／min）诱发房颤。均在非接触式标测观察房颤时心房激动情况,将最常激动部位做为房颤基质进行改良消融,并根据消融后重复等电位标测的结果作出递进式调整,直至房颤被终止不再被诱发。结果 在既不隔离肺静脉也不寻求碎裂电位的情况下,87．1％（108／124）的房颤消融转复为窦性心律,其余被转为非典型心房扑动（房扑）或房性心动过速（房速）。可将消融灶分为3种类型,其中以7字形的A型线性消融最关键,71．6％的阵发性房颤可被A型消融终止且不再被诱发,而68．8％的持续性／永久性房颤则需通过B型消融终止。随访（21．6±5．3）个月,90．3％（112／124）的患者不服药亦无房颤发生。其余9．7％（12／124）的患者有顽固性非典型房扑／房速,其中仅1．6％（2／124）的患者伴有阵发性房颤。结论 递进式的心房基质消融术可以将房颤有效地转复为窦性心律,并有满意的远期疗效。此种术式简单易行有望在NavX和Carto标测下复制。     

非接触式球囊标测系统指导阵发性心房颤动个体化消融

目的探讨应用非接触式球囊三维标测系统(EnSite Array)指导下心房颤动(简称房颤)个体化射频消融的临床效果。方法18例阵发性房颤患者,应用EnSite Array三维标测房颤优势电传导部位指导个体化消融,并结合大头电极心房内描记到或虚拟电位显示为碎裂电位区进行消融,消融终点为房颤终止转窦性心律或消融线形成双向阻滞。重复术前电刺激或用异丙上腺素静脉滴注后不能诱发或诱发<30s的房颤。结果首次消融的即时成功率为94.4%(17/18),消融中1例出现心包压塞。15例行左右上肺静脉之间靠顶部心房电学改良消融,11例加左上肺静脉与左心耳之间等部位消融,6例加消融左或/和右房峡部或冠状窦口等部位消融。随访15.3±11.3个月,14例术后不服用抗心律失常药物均无房颤发生,3例房颤复发,1例出现心房扑动发作,中期成功率77.8%(14/18)。结论EnSite Array指导下实时根据房颤优势传导区个体化射频消融,消融靶点灵活、针对性强,消融创伤小,中期效果良好。     

阵发性心房颤动患者非肺静脉触发灶的诱发及消融

目的探讨环肺静脉电隔离（CPVI）术中静脉注射异丙肾上腺素（ISO）和三磷酸腺苷：ATP）,在检出阵发性心房颤动（房颤）非肺静脉触发灶中的价值。方法回顾性分析2010年4～12月色浙江邵逸夫医院心内科所有患者接受三维标测系统指导下CPVI术136例患者,其中87例消融前后分别应用ISO＋ATP诱发房颤,Lasso导管置于右上肺静脉口、消融导管置于左上肺静脉中,结合冠状静冰窦导管判断房颤的触发灶,然后通过消融验证。结果87例首次接受导管消融的阵发性房颤患者,吏用ISO＋ATP后16例证实有非肺静脉房颤触发灶。其中,消融前诱发8例房颤、1例房性心动过速（房塞）、1例频发房性早搏（房早）。2例消融前诱发的患者CPVI术后房性快速性心律失常（ATa）仍存在,余8例及5例消融前未被诱发者CPVI后再次诱发时又检出非肺静脉触发灶。其中,9例为房颤（起源上腔静脉5例、冠状静脉窦内靠近口部1例、左心房后壁2例、不明1例）,3例房性心动过速（均为冠状挣脉窦口起源）和1例频发房性早搏（上腔静脉起源）。14例患者在相应非肺静脉触发灶部位消融后心聿失常均终止,且不再被诱发。2例起源不明的房颤患者电复律后转为窦性心律。随访2年,单次手术或功率为87．5％（14／16）。结论静脉注射ISO＋ATP可简单有效地检出阵发性房颤非肺静脉触发灶。     

阵发性心房颤动节段性肺静脉电隔离方法学评价

目的评价经改良的节段性电隔离肺静脉方法治疗阵发性心房颤动的有效性及安全性.方法 39例阵发心房颤动患者,男性28例,女性11例,采用一次房间隔穿刺技术,送入标测及消融电极,并选用猪尾造影导管用高压非选择性造影显示肺静脉开口及左心耳位置,指导导管行进方向以减少心脏压塞风险.标测中常规探查、标测右下肺静脉,避免遗漏可能触发心房颤动的肺静脉电位.在肺静脉电位优势传导部位消融并轻微移动形成节段性电隔离.结果单个节段或多个节段消融可使肺静脉与左心房之间形成完全性电隔离.节段性隔离靶肺静脉85根,即刻成功81根,成功率95%,无并发症发生.结论节段性电隔离肺静脉法可有效隔离肺静脉,与其他传统方法比较,手术时间短、成功率高,可减少肺静脉的损伤和避免肺静脉狭窄的发生.     

Left atrial ablation versus biatrial ablation for persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation: a prospective and randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare--in patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF)--the efficacy and safety of left atrial ablation with that of a biatrial approach. BACKGROUND: Left atrium-based catheter ablation of AF, although very effective in the paroxysmal form of the arrhythmia, has an insufficient efficacy in patients with persistent and permanent AF. METHODS: Eighty highly symptomatic patients (age, 58.6 +/- 8.9 years) with persistent (n = 43) and permanent AF (n = 37), refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs, were randomized to two different ablation approaches guided by electroanatomical mapping. A procedure including circumferential pulmonary vein, mitral isthmus, and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation was performed in 41 cases (left atrial ablation group). In the remaining 39 patients (biatrial ablation group), the aforementioned approach was integrated by the following lesions in the right atrium: intercaval posterior line, intercaval septal line, and electrical disconnection of the superior vena cava. RESULTS: During follow-up (mean duration 14 +/- 5 months), AF recurred in 39% of patients in the left atrial ablation group and in 15% of patients in the biatrial ablation group (p = 0.022). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that ablation technique was an independent predictor of AF recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with persistent and permanent AF, circumferential pulmonary vein ablation, combined with linear lesions in the right atrium, is feasible, safe, and has a significantly higher success rate than left atrial and cavotricuspid ablation alone.