Halo电极远端电位方向逆转作为典型心房扑动消融终点标准的观察

目的探讨一种通过Halo电极远端电位方向发生逆转来判断典型心房扑动(简称房扑)三尖瓣环峡部线性消融成功的方法。方法 20例典型房扑患者接受射频消融治疗,将Halo电极经右股静脉置于三尖瓣环上,从远端电极至近段电极呈顺时针方向。于窦性心律下,行三尖瓣环至下腔静脉之间线性消融,与此同时,于冠状窦口行S1S1500ms起搏。消融过程中,Halo电极标测显示远端电极及近端电极呈双向传导。以Halo电极远端电位方向逆转作为消融成功终点。结果 20例均消融成功,无消融并发症发生。消融后,反复电刺激未诱发房扑。术后随访6个月,未见房扑复发。结论冠状窦口起搏刺激下,Halo电极远端电位方向出现逆转可作为典型房扑三尖瓣环峡部线性消融成功的可靠指标。     

低右房电图极性改变评价典型心房扑动射频消融结果

目的　在典型心房扑动 (房扑 )射频消融中观察临近峡部的低位右房心内电图极性改变 ,来迅速判断是否形成峡部双向阻滞。方法　对 10例典型房扑患者 ,沿三尖瓣环放置Halo电极 ,Halo远端紧邻峡部消融线 ,房扑发作中消融在房扑终止后行冠状窦起搏 ,窦性心律下消融则同时行冠状窦电极起搏 ,观察紧邻消融线低右房侧的心房电极电图起始部分的主波方向 (H电位 )的极性表现 ,并与最终双向阻滞评价结果比较。结果　 8例在窦性心律下行冠状窦电极起搏时消融 ,2例在房扑发作中消融。 10例患者最终消融结果均为双向阻滞。 2例房扑发作时H电位极性均为负向 ,8例窦性心律下H电位极性均为正向 ,峡部缓慢传导时该极性仍为正向 ,形成双向阻滞后H电位极性变为负向。结论　典型心房扑动行峡部线性消融时 ,行冠状窦起搏观察到紧邻峡部消融线低右房侧H电位的极性改变可能是峡部消融成功的新指标。该指标简单、快速、可靠性高。     

探索不用Halo电极射频消融治疗典型心房扑动的方法

目的探讨不用Halo电极消融典型心房扑动(AF)的方法和右心房峡部传导时间间期的意义.方法对9例AF患者进行了心脏电生理检查和射频消融.将普通标测电极分别放置高位右房(A点)、低位右房(B点)、希氏束(C点)、冠状窦(CS34为D点),标测AF发作时右房激动顺序,起搏时和消融后测量右心房峡部传导时间间期(BD、DB). 结果不用Halo电极成功消融9例AF病例.消融后于冠状窦口处起搏时起搏信号至右房下侧壁的时间间期(DB=140.7ms±66.1ms)和右房下侧壁起搏时起搏信号至冠状窦口CS34的时间间期(BD=123.2ms±42.1ms)均较消融前(DB=66.0ms±12.5ms,BD=62.5ms±13.0ms)明显延长,P＜0.01. 结论不用Halo电极能成功消融典型AF,该方法简便、费用低;右心房峡部传导时间间期的定量测定可作为判断峡部完全性双向传导阻滞的方法之一.     

射频导管消融治疗主动脉左冠状窦室性心律失常疗效观察

目的探讨射频导管消融治疗起源于主动脉左冠状窦室性心律失常的临床疗效。方法 12例起源于主动脉左冠状窦的心律失常患者行射频消融治疗。采用激动顺序标测及起搏标测相结合,靶点V波较体表心电图QRS波群提前至少20ms,温控大头导管温度55℃,射频功率15～30w放电240s射频消融。随访患者射频消融治疗后的近期及远期疗效。结果靶点位于主动脉左冠状窦左冠状动脉开口下方1～2cm,即刻成功率为100。术中及术后无并发症发生。术后1个月内,12例患者复查动态心电图,室性早搏（室早）的次数由术前（15273±2056）次/24h,降为消融后的（656±135）次/24h,射频消融前后差异有显著统计学意义（P〈0.01）。术后3个月11例患者室早消失,1例复发,再次行单导管法消融成功。结论射频消融治疗起源于主动脉左冠状窦的室性心律失常安全有效,并能根治该类型室性心律失常的发作。     

射频消融治疗顽固性右心室流出道室性期前收缩

目的 :观察射频消融治疗右心室流出道室性期前收缩 (VPB)的疗效。方法 :12例频发右心室流出道VPB患者 ,动态心电图示VPB数 (2 4 786± 72 2 7)个 /2 4h ,VPB相关的临床症状重 ,服用多种抗心律失常药物无效或不能耐受。采用起搏标测法确定VPB的起源部位 ,行射频消融治疗。结果 :10例起搏标测记录到与自发VPBQRS形态 12导联一致的波形 ,消融成功 ,成功部位在右室流出道间隔部 7例、游离壁 3例。另 2例只记录到 11导联一致的波形 ,消融失败。成功率为 83.3%。成功病例术后 1周复查动态心电图示VPB(2± 3)个 /2 4h ;随访 5～ 15个月 ,复查动态心电图示VPB(4± 11)个 /2 4h ,无复发病例 ,无并发症发生。结论 :导管射频消融治疗右心室流出道VPB疗效好、安全性高 ,可供临床症状重、药物治疗效果不好患者选择     

探索不用Halo电极射频消融治疗典型心房扑动的方法

目的探讨不用Halo电极消融典型心房扑动(AF)的方法和右心房峡部传导时间间期的意义。方法对9例AF患者进行了心脏电生理检查和射频消融。将普通标测电极分别放置高位右房(A点)、低位右房(B点)、希氏束(C点)、冠状窦(CS34为D点),标测AF发作时右房激动顺序,起搏时和消融后测量右心房峡部传导时间间期(BD、DB)。结果不用Halo电极成功消融9例AF病例。消融后于冠状窦口处起搏时起搏信号至右房下侧壁的时间间期(DB=140.7ms±66.1ms)和右房下侧壁起搏时起搏信号至冠状窦口CS34的时间间期(BD=123.2ms±42.1ms)均较消融前(DB=66.0ms±12.5ms,BD=62.5ms±13.0ms)明显延长,P<0.01。结论不用Halo电极能成功消融典型AF,该方法简便、费用低;右心房峡部传导时间间期的定量测定可作为判断峡部完全性双向传导阻滞的方法之一。     

主动脉左冠状窦内射频消融左心室流出道反复单形室性心动过速

目的　报道左心室流出道反复单形室性心动过速 (室速 )的心电图特点和射频消融结果。方法　对 11例无器质性心脏病的反复单形室速患者进行常规心电图、心内电生理检查和射频消融治疗。结果　室速呈不典型左束支阻滞伴心电轴右偏 ,Ⅰ导联为低振幅rs或rS波 ,V1 导联为rS或RS波 ,胸前导联R波移行区位于V2 或V3 导联 ,仅 1例的V5导联有小s波。起搏标测确定消融靶点位于主动脉左冠状窦内 ,在此部位成功射频消融 11例患者的室速。随访 (13± 7)个月 ,1例复发。结论　左心室流出道反复单形室速具有特殊的心电图表现 ,左冠状窦内射频消融能达到安全和有效的治疗目的。     

下腔静脉-三尖瓣环连线射频消融治疗Ⅰ型心房扑动

目的 观察连线射频消融对治疗心房扑动的效果。方法 对4例Ⅰ型心房扑动(房扑)患者用解剖标志法从下腔静脉口(IVC)～三尖瓣环(TA)进行多次连线消融、结果4例均成功终止房扑,平均放电6.5±2.8次,每靶点平均消融1.86min,无手术相关井发症发生。随访2～5个月无复发。结论 采用IVC～TA连线射频消融可有效地阻断房扑,其远期效果有待观察。     

下腔静脉、三尖瓣环峡部的射频消融治疗心房朴动

目的：报道以下腔静脉、三尖瓣环峡部双向传导阻滞作为终点的心房扑动射顿消融方法，观察该终点对长期疔效的作用。方法；对5例Ⅰ型心房扑动患者的下腔静脉、三尖瓣环峡部进行射频消融。根据右房下侧壁和冠状静脉窦口起搏的右房激动顺序和传导时间变化、评竹蚨部传导阻滞。术后门诊随访观察。结果：5例患者分别于心房扑动(2例)和赛性心律(3例)时接受射频消融治疗，消融后峡部均发生双向传导阻滞。右房下侧壁和冠状静脉赛口起搏的右房激动顺序分别呈顺时针和逆时针单一方向，右房传导时间分别延长82和78ms。随访4个月无一例复发。结论：峡部双向传导阻滞是射频消融心房扑动成功的可靠标志在赛性心律下，亦可对Ⅰ型心房扑动患者进行消融。     

心房扑动不同标测方式射频导管消融的临床研究

目的比较普通电极、Halo电极及Carto系统标测在心房扑动射频导管消融（下称消融）中的应用。方法22例心房扑动患者分别在4极电极标测（A组,n=8）、Halo电极标测（B组,n=10）和Carto系统标测（C组,n=4）下行消融术。比较3种标测方式下消融的即时成功率、手术时间、曝光时间和放电时间。结果3组即时成功率均为100％。手术时间A组（171．9±25．6）min。B组（124±24．3）min,C组（248．6＋21．8）min;曝光时间A组（70．9±125）min,B组（527±146）min,C组（33．3±75）min;消融时间A组（701±85）s,B组（562±49）s,C组（521±56）s。3组差异均有显著性意义（P〈0.05）。随访4～12个月,A组复发2例,分别为非典型心房扑动和典型心房扑动,B组复发1例,为非典型心房扑动,C组无复发。3例复发病例均经Carto系统治疗成功,随访12月无复发。结论3种标测方式在典型心房扑动消融治疗中疗效确切,Carto系统对于治疗非典型心房扑动及复发心房扑动效果确切,且可明显减少X线曝光时间与消融时间。     

射频消融心房扑动拖带刺激的电生理特征

探讨射频消融心房扑动 (简称房扑 )拖带刺激的电生理特征 ,更好的理解房扑机制 ,以期提高消融成功率、减少复发率。 5例阵发性典型房扑患者 ,诱发房扑后 ,在高位、低位右房 ,冠状窦口 (CSO)及右房下部的峡部分别进行拖带刺激 ,分析心房激动顺序 ,然后进行三尖瓣环至下腔静脉之间的线性消融。 5例房扑折返环均为逆钟向旋转 ,峡部 ,高位、低位右房及CSO呈现隐匿拖带 ,左房和卵圆窝呈现显性拖带 ,平均放电 9± 6次 ,均达到右房峡部双向阻滞。CSO起搏时体表心电图Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF导联P波形态发生改变。结论 :隐匿、显性拖带对判断峡部依赖性逆钟向房扑有较高价值 ,CSO起搏时心内电图激动顺序和体表心电图P波改变可做为判断峡部消融达到双向阻滞的标志     

Radiofrequency ablation for cure of atrial flutter

Abstract Background: Atrial flutter is a common arrhythmia which frequently recurs after cardioversion and is relatively difficult to control with antiarrhythmic agents.
Aims: To evaluate the success rate, recurrence rate and safety of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrial flutter in a consecutive series of patients with drug refractory chronic or paroxysmal forms of the arrhythmia.
Methods: Electrophysiologic evaluation of atrial flutter included activation mapping with a 20 electrode halo cadieter placed around the tricuspid annulus and entrainment mapping from within the low right atrial isthmus. After confirmation of the arrhythmia mechanism with these techniques, an anatomic approach was used to create a linear lesion between the inferior tricuspid annulus and the eustachian ridge at the anterior margin of the inferior vena cava. In order to demonstrate successful ablation, mapping techniques were employed to show that bi-directional conduction block was present in the low right atrial isthmus.
Results: Successful ablation was achieved in 26/27 patients (96%). In one patient with a grossly enlarged right atrium, isthmus block could not be achieved. Of the 26 patients with successful ablation, mere has been one recurrence of typical flutter (4%) during a mean follow-up period of 5.5±2.7 months. This patient underwent a successful repeat ablation procedure. Of eight patients with documented clinical atrial fibrillation (in addition to atrial flutter) prior to the procedure, five continued to have atrial fibrillation following the ablation. There were no procedural complications and all patients had normal AV conduction at the completion of the ablation.
Conclusions: RF ablation is a highly effective and safe procedure for cure of atrial flutter. In patients with chronic or recurrent forms of atrial flutter RF ablation should be considered as a first line therapeutic option.     

Hybrid Pharmacologic and Ablative Therapy: A Novel and Effective Approach for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation

Hybrid Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation. Introduction: Maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation is often difficult to achieve with pharmacologic therapy. Complex catheter ablative procedures are being developed, but efficacy and safety issues remain to be clarified. We hypothesized that combined pharmacologic and simple ablative therapies in a targeted subset of patients will improve success in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results: We identified 13 patients (mean age 61.5 ± 16.2 years) with atrial fibrillation who converted to electrocardiographic atrial flutter during antiarrhythmic drug treatment. Surface ECG suggested “typical” atrial flutter in 11 patients and “atypical” atrial flutter in 2. Intracardiac mapping and entrainment studies revealed 9 patients had counter-clockwise isthmus-dependent atrial flutter, and the remaining 4 had complex activation patterns, suggesting the presence of multiple wavefronts. All 9 patients with typical atrial flutter underwent successful ablation. None of the 4 patients with complex activation patterns had successful ablation. Patients were followed for recurrences of atrial arrhythmias via clinic visits, record review, and interviews. In patients who underwent successful ablation and continued on antiarrhythmic drugs, 88.9% remain in sinus rhythm after a mean follow-up of 14.3 ± 6.9 months (range 1 to 28). Conclusion: In patients who experience conversion of atrial fibrillation to atrial flutter during antiarrhythmic drug treatment, ablation and continuation of pharmacologic therapy is a safe and effective means of achieving and maintaining sinus rhythm.     

Electrophysiologic Characteristics and Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients with Clockwise Atrial Flutter

RF Catheter Ablation of Clockwise Atrial Flutter. introduction: Although the mechanism and radiofrequency catheter ablation of counterclockwise (typical) atrial flutter have been studied extensively, information about the electrocardiographic and electropbysiologic characteristics and effects of radiofrequency ablation in patients with clockwise atrial flutter is limited. Methods and Results: Thirty consecutive patients with clinically documented paroxysmal clockwise atrial flutter were studied. Endocardial recordings and entrainment study using a “halo” catheter with 10 electrode pairs in the right atrium were performed. Radiofrequency energy was applied to the inferior vena cava-tricuspid annulus (IVC-TA) and/or coronary sinus ostium-tricuspid annulus (CSO-TA) isthmus to evaluate the effects of linear catheter ablation. Eighteen patients had both counterclockwise and clockwise atrial flutters, and 12 patients had only clockwise atrial flutter. Both forms of atrial flutter had similar flutter cycle lengths (232 ± 30 vs 226 ± 25 msec, P = 0.526) but reverse activation sequences. Right atrial pacing at a cycle length 20 msec shorter than the flutter cycle length from the CSO-TA isthmus, IVC-TA isthmus, and the area between the two isthmuses revealed concealed entrainment with stimulus-to-P wave intervals of 32 ± 19, 95 ± 14, and 50 ± 17 msec (P = 0.022) in the counterclockwise form, and 110 ± 12, 40 ± 20, and 60 ± 15 msec (P = 0.018) in the clockwise form. In clockwise atrial flutter, 20 patients with biphasic P waves in the inferior leads had the presumed exit site of slow conduction area located at the low posterolateral right atrium; 10 patients with positive P waves in the inferior leads had the presumed exit site located at the mid-high posterolateral right atrium. Among the 18 patients with both forms of atrial flutter, linear ablation lesions directed at the IVC-TA isthmus eliminated both forms of atrial flutter in 14 patients; in the remaining 4 patients. CSO-TA linear lesions eliminated the counterclockwise form and IVC-TA lesions eliminated the clockwise form. Among the 12 patients with the clockwise form only, CSO-TA linear lesions eliminated flutter in 2 and IVC-TA linear lesions eliminated flutter in 10 patients. Successful ablation was confirmed by creation of bidirectional conduction block in the IVC-TA and/or CSO-TA isthmus during pacing from the proximal coronary sinus and right posterolateral atrium sandwiching the linear lesions. During the follow-up period of 17 ± 8 months, 2 patients had recurrence of clockwise atrial flutter, 1 patient had new onset of atypical atrial flutter, and 2 patients had new onset of atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: Counterclockwise and clockwise atrial flutters may have overlapping slow conduction areas with different exit sites. Radiofrequency catheter ablation using the linear method directed at the IVC-TA and CSO-TA isthmuses was feasible and effective in treating both forms of atrial flutter.     

Acute myocardial infarction after radiofrequency catheter ablation of typical atrial flutter: histopathological findings and etiopathogenetic hypothesis.

The right atrial inferior cavotricuspid isthmus represents the targeting site for radiofrequency (RF) current application during ablation treatment of typical atrial flutter. Despite the vicinity of the right coronary artery (RCA) to the RF application site and the long energy exposure needed to achieve electrophysiological success, reports about direct thermal damage of the coronary vessel during ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus are rare and anecdotal. The present is the first case report describing the cardiac macroscopic and histological examination in a patient who died of cardiac rupture, as a complication of a myocardial infarction occurring after a standard procedure of RF ablation of typical atrial flutter. In consideration of the proximity we found between the RF energy-dependent tissue damage and the RCA, thermal-related damage of RCA during ablation of typical atrial flutter should always be considered as a potentially harmful risk of the procedure.     

典型心房扑动的CARTO系统标测和消融

评价非X线CARTO系统在指导导管射频消融典型心房扑动 (简称房扑 )中的临床应用。 5例典型房扑 ,均为男性 ,年龄 40 .4± 15 .7岁。除 1例为先天性三房心 (经外科矫正 )外 ,余均无器质性心脏病。心动过速周期 2 0 5± 2 8ms。位于三尖瓣环和下腔静脉口间的峡部为消融部位。运用CARTO系统实时标测右房三维结构 ,并指导导管标测和消融峡部。消融后分别在冠状静脉窦和低位后外侧右房以 5 0 0ms起搏重建三维电解剖图 ,判定完全双向传导阻滞。 5例均消融成功 ,房扑不再诱发及产生确定的峡部双向传导阻滞。放电次数为 12 .7± 6 .5。手术时间为 2 78± 49min ,曝光时间为 16± 7min。随访 1～ 3个月无病例复发。结论 :本研究表明在房扑标测和消融中应用CARTO系统是安全有效的。消融后峡部两侧分别起搏重建峡部三维电解剖图 ,可准确判断线性损伤的连续性 ,证实完全双向传导阻滞 ,有利减少复发率。同时可减少X线曝光时间。     

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Common Atrial Flutter in 200 Patients

RF Ablation of Common Atrial Flutter. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of common atrial flutter and to determine the optimum target sites in a large series of patients. Three different approaches were used to target the ablation site. The first used a combined anatomic and electrophysiologic approach, whereas the second and the third approaches relied primarily on anatomic guidelines to target the critical area in the atrial flutter reentrant circuit located in the low right atrium. Background: Recent studies report the efficacy of RF current application in the low right atrial region to interrupt and prevent recurrences of common atrial flutter using either anatomic or electrophysiologic targets. However, larger groups of patients are required to confirm the efficacy of this technique and to specify the target sites. Methods and Results: Two hundred consecutive patients with drug-resistant common atrial flutter were studied. In the first 50 patients, target sites were localized using both anatomic landmarks and electrophysiologic parameters. The anatomic landmarks were area 1 between the tricuspid valve and inferior vena cava orifice; area 2 between the tricuspid valve and coronary sinus ostium; and area 3 between the inferior vena cava and coronary sinus. The electrophysiologic criterion was to ablate when there was an atrial electrogram occurring during the plateau phase (preceding F wave). The first targeted area was that giving the more stable catheter position. In the following 30 patients, we assessed the effect of RF energy application in a single line to area 1 in the first 10 patients, area 2 in the next 10, and area 3 in the last 10 patients. In the last 120 patients, RF energy was applied only in area 1 using repeated applications. RF energy of 12 to 30 W, or that achieving a temperature of 70°C, was applied for 60 to 90 seconds at each site. The endpoint of the ablation procedure was interruption and noninducibility of common atrial flutter in the first 110 patients and additional isthmal block in 48 of the last 90 patients. Overall, atrial flutter was interrupted and rendered noninducihie after a single session in 191 (95%) patients and could not be interrupted in 9 (4.5%) patients. The mean number of RF applications was 12 ± 8. After a mean follow-up of 24 ± 9 months, recurrences occurred in 31 (15.5%) patients, 26 of whom underwent a successful second or third session without further recurrences of atrial flutter. Atrial fibrillation not documented before the ablation was detected in 11 patients. On a retrospective analysis of the final successful site in the first group of 50 patients, the location was in area 1 in 39% of patients: area 2 in 36% of patients, and area 3 in 25% of patients. Atrial electrograms recorded at these sites showed a single spike pattern in 46% of patients, and double spike pattern (28%) or fractioned electrogram in 26% patients. When lines of RF lesions were placed at several sites, they produced a success rate of 70%, 40%, and 10% at areas 1, 2, and 3 respectively. In the last series of 120 patients, the procedure was     

典型心房扑动射频消融术后发生心房颤动患者的心房电生理特性

分析典型心房扑动(简称房扑)射频消融术后发生心房颤动(简称房颤)患者的心房电生理特性,探讨心房内传导时间在房颤发生中的意义。56例典型房扑患者,其中19例有器质性心脏病,16例在消融前有房颤发作。所有患者均进行常规的电生理检查及标测,记录消融前后心房的电生理参数。根据消融术后随访是否有房颤的发生分为两组进行分析。结果:56例房扑患者全部消融成功,随访14±12(6～60)个月,中位数14个月。消融术后15例有房颤发作,其中3例进展为慢性房颤。15例有房颤发作患者的年龄较无房颤发作的患者大(57.1±13.6岁vs42.3±11.2岁,P<0.05),消融术前和术后的高右房至冠状窦的传导时间延长(分别为98.4±17.1msvs67.8±16.5ms;93.1±18.4msvs70.2±19.7ms;P均<0.05)。多因素Cox回归分析消融前有房颤发作的病史(危险比2.3,95%CI1.425～4.632,P=0.02)和窦性心律下高右房至冠状窦的传导时间超过90ms(危险比1.7,95%CI1.215～3.758,P=0.03)是预测射频消融术后发生房颤的独立的危险因素。结论:典型房扑射频消融术后发生房颤患者心房内传导延迟,并且房内传导延迟是预测射频消融术后发生房颤的重要电生理指标。     

Right and Left Atrial Radiofrequency Catheter Therapy of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Introduction: (AF), trial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, is due to multiple simultaneous wavelets of reentry in the atria. The only available curative treatment is surreal, using atriotomies to compartmentalize the atria. Therefore, we investigated a staged anatomical approach using radiofrequency catheter ablation lines to prevent paroxysmal AF. Methods and Results: Forty-live patients with frequent symptomatic drug-refractory episodes of paroxysmal AF were studied. Progressively complex linear lesions were created by sequential applications of radiofrequency current in the right atrium and then in the left atrium if required. The outcome of the procedure was considered a success when the episodes of AF were either eliminated or recurred at a rate of no more than one episode (lasting < 6 hours) in 3 months. Patients who had no more than one episode per month were considered “improved.” Right atrial ablation organized local electrical activity and led to stable sinus rhythm during the procedure in 18 (40%) of the 45 patients. However, sustained AF remained inducible in 40 of 45 patients, and the lesions failed to produce evidence of a significant linear conduction block/delay in all but four patients. There were no significant complications except for two transient sinus node dysfunctions. The procedure duration and fluoroscopic time were 248 ± 79 and 53 ± 11 min, respectively. Additional sessions were required in 19 patients to treat sustained right atrial flutter or arrhythmias linked to ectopic right or left atrial foci. During a mean follow-up of 11 ± 4 months, right atrial ablation was successful in 15 (33%) patients, ft without medication and 9 with a previously ineffective drug. Nine (20%) additional patients were improved. Ten patients with an unsuccessful outcome then underwent linear ablation in the left atrium. The procedure duration and fluoroscopy time were 292 ± 94 and 66 ± 24 min. A hemopericardium occurred in one patient. Two patients required reablation to treat ectopic atrial foci. Left atrial ablation terminated AF during the procedure in 8 patients, and sustained AF could not he induced in 5. Subsequent success was achieved in A (60%) patients, including 4 without medication, and 1 additional patient was improved. Conclusions: Successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of drug-refractory daily paroxysmal AF is feasible using linear atrial lesions complemented by focal ablation targeted at arrhythmogenic foci. Ablation only in the right atrium is a safe technique providing limited success, whereas linear lesions in the left atrium significantly increase the incidence of stable restoration of sinus rhythm, the inability to induce sustained AF, and the final success rate. The described technique is promising hut must he considered preliminary because significant Improvements are required to optimize lesion characteristics and shorten total procedure duration.     

Stable secondary arrhythmias late after intraoperative radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation: incidence, mechanism, and treatment

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative radiofrequency (RF) ablation is an effective treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, secondary arrhythmias late after ablation may complicate the patient's course. We report on the incidence, mechanisms, and treatment of gap-related atrial flutter and other secondary arrhythmias during long-term follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 129 patients who underwent intraoperative RF ablation with placement of left atrial linear lesions using minimally invasive surgical techniques, secondary arrhythmias were analyzed during long-term follow-up (20 +/- 6 months). Transient atrial arrhythmias during the first 3 postoperative months were excluded. In 8 (6.2%) of 129 patients, sustained stable secondary arrhythmias were documented. Left atrial, gap-related atrial flutter was observed in 4 patients (3.1%). The flutter was treated by percutaneous RF ablation in 3 patients (2.3%) and with drugs in 1 patient (0.8%). In 2 patients (1.6%), right atrial isthmus-dependent atrial flutter occurred and was treated successfully by percutaneous RF ablation. In 2 patients (1.6%), ectopic right atrial tachycardias occurred and were treated with percutaneous RF ablation. CONCLUSION: Late after intraoperative RF ablation of atrial fibrillation, three types of stable secondary arrhythmias were observed in 6% of patients: left atrial gap-related atrial flutter, right atrial isthmus-dependent atrial flutter, and ectopic atrial tachycardia. Gaps after intraoperative RF ablation due to noncontinuous or nontransmural linear lesions may lead to stable left atrial macroreentrant tachycardias, requiring new interventional therapy.