肺静脉节段性消融治疗阵发性心房颤动

肺静脉内的折返是促使心房颤动（房颤）发作的最可能机制，肺静脉在房颤的发生和维持机制中起重要作用。在实时左心房三维标测系统（Carto）指导下，肺静脉环状射频消融电隔离治疗阵发性房颤已成为可能。这里我们评价术前16排螺旋CT指导下肺静脉节段性消融治疗顽固性阵发性房颤的临床效果。     

Mechanisms of recurrent atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation by segmental ostial ablation

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms responsible for recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary vein isolation (PV) by segmental ostial ablation. BACKGROUND: Recovery of conduction into a previously isolated PV is a common observation when there is recurrent AF soon after segmental ostial ablation. However, the mechanisms of recurrent AF have been unclear. METHODS: A repeat ablation procedure was performed in 50 patients who had recurrent paroxysmal AF at a mean of 7 +/- 6 months after segmental ostial ablation to isolate the PVs. During the repeat procedure, a ring catheter was inserted into each PV during sinus rhythm and AF to determine whether the veins were still isolated and, if not, whether there were PV tachycardias with a cycle length shorter than in the adjacent left atrium during AF. RESULTS: There was recovery of conduction over a previously ablated muscle fascicle in >/=1 PV in 49 patients (98%). There were 10 +/- 2 episodes of PV tachycardia per minute in 36 (72%) of the 50 patients during AF. Repeat ablation was performed by segmental ostial ablation (23 patients) or by left atrial catheter ablation to encircle the left- and right-sided PVs 1 to 2 cm from the ostia, with additional ablation lines in the posterior left atrium and mitral isthmus (27 patients). At 6-month follow-up, among 23 patients who underwent repeat ablation by segmental ostial ablation, AF recurred in 4 (21%) of the 19 patients who had PV tachycardias and in 3 (75%) of the 4 patients who did not (P = .03). Among the 27 patients who underwent left atrial ablation, AF recurred in 2 (12%) of the 17 patients who had PV tachycardias and in 1 (10%) of the 10 patients who did not (P = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of conduction in previously ablated muscle fascicles is a common finding in patients with recurrent AF after segmental ostial ablation. The efficacy of repeat segmental ostial ablation depends on the presence of PV tachycardias, whereas left atrial ablation is effective regardless of whether PV tachycardias are present or not during AF.     

Pulmonary vein isolation using segmental versus electroanatomical circumferential ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that electroanatomic pulmonary vein (PV) antra encircling for the PV isolation will improve the outcome in treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), compared with segmental PV isolation. METHODS: Fifty-four patients underwent segmental PV isolation (group 1) and 56 patients circumferential PV isolation (group 2) for symptomatic PAF in a randomized study. RESULTS: Following single ablation procedure, at the 48 +/- 8 month follow-up, 30 (56%) and 32 (57%) patients in groups 1 and 2 remained free of arrhythmia (P = 0.41). After repeat ablation, 43 (80%) and 45 (80%) patients in groups 1 and 2 were free of arrhythmia without antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs); 48 (89%) and 51 (91%) patients in groups 1 and 2 did not have arrhythmia recurrences without or with AADs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates no advantage in long-term arrhythmia-free clinical outcome after circumferential PV isolation in patients with frequent PAF.     

环肺静脉电隔离对阵发性心房颤动患者左房功能的影响

目的应用超声心动图技术评价环肺静脉电隔离术(CPVA)对阵发性心房颤动(PAF)患者左房功能的影响。方法 PAF患者81例,择期行CPVA,据术后PAF有无复发分为成功组及复发组;应用超声心动图测定术前及术后3天、3个月、12个月时静息状态下左房主动排空容积(LAAEV)、左房主动排空分数(LAAEF)、左房最大容积(LAVmax)、左房总排空容积(LATEV)、左房总排空分数(LATEF)、二尖瓣血流频谱A峰峰值流速(VA)、A峰速度时间积分(A-VTI)及左房射血力(LAEF)。结果成功组,术后3个月与术前比较,反应左房辅助泵功能的指标LAAEV、VA、A-VTI及LAEF均减少(P0.05);术后12个月与术前比较,LAAEV、VA、A-VTI及LAEF均增加(P0.05),反映左房储存功能的指标LAVmax、LATEV及LATEF均增加(P0.05)。复发组,术后12个月与术前比较,LAAEV、VA、A-VTI及LAEF均减少(P0.05)。结论 CPVA对PAF患者术后近期左房功能有不利影响,而术后远期功能得到明显改善。     

Mechanisms of recurrent atrial fibrillation: comparisons between segmental ostial versus circumferential pulmonary vein isolation

Background: Electrical isolation of pulmonary veins (PVs) is an effective therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). Both segmental ostial PV ablation and circumferential ablation with PV–left atrial (LA) block have been implicated to eliminate AF. However, the mechanism of the recurrent AF after undergoing either strategy remains unclear.
Methods and Results: Of the 73 consecutive patients with symptomatic AF that underwent PV isolation and had recurrences of AF, Group 1 consisted of 46 patients (age 56 ± 13 years old, 35 males) who underwent PV isolation by segmental ostial PV ablation and Group 2 consisted of 27 patients (age 51 ± 11 years old, 24 males) who underwent circumferential ablation with PV–LA block. In Group 1, the earliest ectopic beat or ostial PV potentials were targeted. In Group 2, circumferential ablation with PV–LA block was performed by encircling the extraostial regions around the left and right PVs. During the first procedure, all patients had PV–AF. There was no difference in the non-PV ectopy between Group 1 and Group 2. During the second procedure, the incidence of an LA posterior wall ectopy initiating AF was significantly lower (20% vs. 0%, P = 0.01) in Group 2. There was no difference in the PV ectopy initiating AF during the second procedure.
Conclusion: Circumferential ablation of AF with PV–LA block may eliminate the LA posterior wall ectopy and decrease the incidence of LA posterior wall ectopy initiating AF during the second procedure.     

Efficacy and safety of segmental ostial versus circumferential extra-ostial pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation for atrial fibrillation (AF) can be performed using a segmental ostial or a circumferential extra-ostial approach. The relative merits and potential limitations of each approach are currently debated. Here we report our early experience with each of these approaches, including their relative efficacy and safety. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty patients with drug-refractory AF underwent segmental ostial PV isolation and were compared to 40 consecutive patients who underwent PV isolation using a circumferential extra-ostial approach. The latter approach described here is novel in two aspects: (1) the endpoint for ablation was PV isolation and not only delay in left atrial to PV conduction time, and (2) isolation of the right and left PVs was achieved by a single encirclement of ipsilateral veins. At follow-up, 60% of the patients in the segmental group were free of AF compared to 75% of the patients in the circumferential group. There was one thromboembolic cerebrovascular complication during the ablation procedure in each group. CONCLUSION: PV isolation using a circumferential extra-ostial approach, where the ipsilateral PVs are isolated together by one encircling line of block using electroanatomic mapping, is a technically feasible procedure. This approach is at least as effective and safe as the more established segmental ostial approach for AF ablation.     

Catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Catheter ablation techniques for atrial fibrillation have undergone an extensive evolution, starting with linear lesions in the right, then the left atria before being superseded by ablation of triggers, mainly from the pulmonary veins. We investigate the feasibility and results of combined pulmonary vein and linear ablation utilizing a specific linear lesion connecting the lateral mitral annulus to the left inferior pulmonary vein (left isthmus). METHODS: 115 patients (101 M: 54 +/- 9 years) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (7 +/- 5 years) resistant to 4 +/- 1.6 anti-arrhythmic drugs were studied. After electrophysiologically guided disconnection of all four pulmonary veins, the left isthmus line was performed with an irrigated tip catheter. Complete linear block was demonstrated during coronary sinus pacing by local mapping looking for widely separated double potentials and confirmed by differential pacing. Mapping and ablation from within the coronary sinus was performed if an epicardial gap was detected after unsuccessful endocardial radiofrequency delivery. RESULTS: 100% of pulmonary veins were successfully disconnected and the left isthmus line was complete with bi-directional block in 88% after a mean of 22 +/- 12 min of endocardial radiofrequency delivery in 44 patients. In 58 patients, additional radiofrequency delivery was required from within the coronary sinus for 5 +/- 5 min. After a follow-up of 6.5 +/- 2.6 months and a mean of 1.4 +/- 0.6 procedures/patient, 79% were in stable sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs. CONCLUSION: the left isthmus line is feasible and safe and when performed in addition to pulmonary veins isolation can contribute to an increased success rate.     

Catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

In the recent years, many investigators have proved the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Further studies would be necessary to decrease the recurrence rate and complication rate, and make the procedure more simple.     

肺静脉电隔离治疗左心房线性消融后复发的心房颤动--肺静脉电隔离的必要性

自90年代后期射频导管消融治疗心房颤动(房颤)应用于临床以来，对房颤的发生机制的认识及治疗方法有了越来越多的研究与报道。目前尚无充分的证据支持以任何一种方法完全取代另外一种，在不同的中心采用的方法亦不统一。以下结合1例肺静脉电隔离成功治疗左心房线性消融后复发的阵发性房颤，以阐明肺静脉电隔离的必要性。     

Effects of circumferential or segmental pulmonary vein ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on cardiac autonomic function

BACKGROUND: Circumferential and segmental pulmonary vein ablations are two established treatment strategies for ablation of atrial fibrillation. Both techniques require the application of radiofrequency current at anatomical sites that are close to autonomic ganglia. However, the effects of current pulmonary vein ablation techniques on cardiac autonomic function are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the short- and long-term effects of circumferential and segmental pulmonary vein ablation on cardiac autonomic function. METHODS: One hundred patients with highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation were randomly assigned to undergo either circumferential or segmental pulmonary vein ablation. Holter recordings were recorded at baseline and at regular intervals for up to 1 year after ablation. Autonomic function was assessed by deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity of heart rate as well as by standard measures of heart rate variability. RESULTS: In the circumferential pulmonary vein ablation group, deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity decreased highly significantly from 5.7 +/- 2.1 ms and -8.0 +/- 1.9 ms at baseline to 3.3 +/- 1.8 ms and -5.5 +/- 2.3 ms directly after ablation, respectively (P<.00001). Impairment of deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity was present up to 1 year after ablation. In the segmental pulmonary vein ablation group, deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity decreased from 5.8 +/- 2.0 ms and -7.8 +/- 1.6 ms at baseline to 3.4 +/- 1.2 ms and -6.0 +/- 2.4 ms directly after ablation (P<.00001), respectively. However, deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity returned to baseline values within 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential and segmental pulmonary vein ablations induce an immediate decrease of autonomic function. However, while this decrease is only transient with segmental pulmonary vein ablation, it persists with circumferential pulmonary vein ablation for at least 1 year.     

Thoracoscopic epicardial pulmonary vein ablation for lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation recently gained new popularity since the introduction of different energy sources for ablative therapy as an alternative to the original "cut-and-sew" techniques. However, most of the cases have been performed together with other cardiac surgical procedures and mainly through a standard median sternotomy approach. We report here the first European case of closed-chest thoracoscopic pulmonary vein isolation in a patient with lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.     

经导管环肺静脉左房线性消融术对阵发性心房颤动患者左心房结构和功能的影响

目的: 评价环肺静脉左房线性消融术对阵发性心房颤动（房颤）患者左心房结构和功能的影响。方法: 阵发性房颤患者33例,Carto系统下行环肺静脉左房线性消融术,应用超声心动图测定其消融术前1～3 d、术后1、3、6、12个月静息时窦性心律下左心房内径、容积指标、二尖瓣口A波速度峰值(VA)及E波速度峰值(VE),并计算左心房排空分数,分析消融术前后左心房结构和功能的变化。结果: 33例阵发性房颤患者均成功施行环肺静脉左房线性消融术,1年治愈率82%。左房前后径消融术后1个月较术前显著增大［(44±4)mm vs. （41±3）mm,P<0.01］,术后3个月、6个月时与术前比较无显著差异,随访1年时左房前后径较术前有显著减小［（40±3）mm vs. (41±3)mm,P<0.05］。与左心房辅助泵功能相关的左心房最小容积,术后1个月显著增大,左心房主动排空分数、左心房总排空分数显著降低（P<0.05),术后3个月时恢复到术前水平。VA术后均低于术前（P<0.05,P<0.01）,而VE/VA术后1个月显著上升（P<0.05,P<0.01）,但在随后的随访中与术前无显著差异。 结论: 阵发性房颤患者左房环肺静脉线性消融术后近期左房前后径增大,辅助泵功能下降,术后3个月恢复至术前水平,术后1年左房结构可部分逆重构。     

环肺静脉大环消融和肺静脉节段电隔离治疗阵发性心房颤动结果对比

目的 环肺静脉大环消融(CPVA)和肺静脉节段电隔离(SPVI)是目前导管射频消融治疗阵发性心房颤动(房颤)的两大主流术式,本文研究目的 是验证"CPVA对阵发性房颤的有效率比SP-VI高"这一假设,同时对比两种消融术式的其他治疗结果.方法 2006年1月至2007年12月入选阵发性房颤病人129例,SPVI和CPVA两组分别为64例和65例.排除标准为,房颤持续时间＞72 h,接受过导管消融的复发病例.结果 SPVI和CPVA组病人成功率分别为78.1%、78.5%;并发症发生率分别为7.8%、10.6%,差异无统计学意义.严重并发症3.9%.X线曝光时间SPVI组多于CPVA组,消融术时间CPVA组长于SPVI组.SPVI组的射频放电时间少于CPVA组.CPVA组术后房性心动过速/心房扑动发生率明显高于SPVI组(12.3%vs 3.1%).结论 SPVI和CPVA两种消融术式均能够比较安全有效地控制阵发性房颤的发作,治疗效果类似.     

经导管射频消融治疗老年阵发性心房颤动临床分析

目的评价射频消融治疗老年阵发性房颤患者的有效性和安全性。方法连续入选接受首次房颤射频消融术治疗的药物难治性阵发性房颤患者85例,按年龄大小分为老年人房颤组（≥60岁,45例）和非老年人房颤组（〈60岁,40例）,所有患者接受环肺静脉隔离术治疗。观察患者房颤的复发情况。结果通过（37.2±3.2）月的随访,85例患者中,共23例（27.1%）出现房颤复发,其中≥60岁与〈60岁年龄组在复发率上无显著性差异（12/45 vs 11/40,P=0.931）。85例患者中无1例出现消融相关严重并发症。结论经导管射频消融是治疗老年阵发性房颤的有效手段,其有效性及安全性与非老年人群并无临床差异。     

Randomized comparison between pulmonary vein antral isolation versus complex fractionated electrogram ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Catheter Ablation of Paroxysmal AF. Introduction: Circumferential pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVAI) and atrial complex fractionated electrograms (CFEs) are both ablative techniques for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). However, data on the comparative value of these 2 ablation strategies are very limited. Methods and Results: We randomized 118 patients with drug‐refractory PAF to receive PVAI ablation (n = 60) or CFE ablation (n = 58). For CFE group, spontaneous/induced AF was mapped using validated, automated software to guide ablation until all CFE areas were eliminated. For PVAI group, all 4 pulmonary vein antra were electrically isolated as confirmed by circular mapping catheter. Patients with spontaneous/inducible AF after the initial ablation procedure were crossed over to the other arms. After initial ablation procedure, AF persisted/inducible in 24/59 patients (41%), and 34/58 patients (59%) assigned to PVAI and CFE ablation, respectively (P = 0.05). Then 58 patients underwent PVAI + CFE ablation. After 22.6 ± 6.4 months, PVAI ablation group was more likely than CFE ablation group to achieve control of any AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) off drugs (43/60, 72% vs 33/58, 57%, P = 0.075) and lower recurrence rate of AT (11.9% vs 34.5%, P = 0.004). Patients who received CFE ablation alone (38%) had significantly lower overall success rate to achieve control of AF/AT off drugs compared with patients who received PVAI ablation (77%, P = 0.002) alone or PVAI + CFE ablation (69%, P = 0.008) due to higher recurrence rate of AT (50% vs 6% vs 13%, P < 0.01). Conclusions: CFE ablation in PAF patients was associated with higher occurrence rate of postprocedure AT compared with PVAI ablation, whereby making it less likely to be a sole ablation strategy for PAF patients. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 973‐981, September 2011)