食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

食管造影及温度监测指导环肺静脉消融治疗心房颤动

Objective Because of the severe consequences of an atrial esophageal fistula,it is vital to avoid this complication. The most safe way is to avoid ablating the segment of esophagus behind left atrium (LA). What we do is to image the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and real-time esophageal tem-perature monitoring to ablate the posterior LA wall. Methods Sixty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilla-tion (PAF) were enrolled to pulmonary veins (PV) isolation. Swallowing a radiocontrast agent at the same time when imaging of LA to observe the relationship of esophagus to posterior LA wall and according to the different relationship between the segment of esophagus behind LA and PV, the esophagus were divided into type Ⅰ , type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. A esophageal temperature probe was inserted and advanced into the esophagus directly posterior to the LA. Three steps ablation strategy and real-time esophageal temperature monitoring were applied to guide the PV isolation. The procedure was interrupted when the esophageal temperature was 39℃ until] the tempera-ture renormalized and ended when PV were isolated. Results There were 48 type ⅠI , 11 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ esophagus in the 64 patients. After three steps ablation,all PV isolations were completed. Only 18.8% of the patients needed to ablate the posterior LA close to the esophagus. Conclusion Only one PV ostiolum close to the posterior LA wall in most PAF patients and many of them can achieve complete PV isolation without ablating the posterior LA close to esophagus which could minimize the risk of esophageal injury dramatically.     

Modified Maze lines plus pulmonary vein isolation created by radiofrequency catheter ablation on the atrial wall to treat atrial fibrillation in elderly

Objective To evaluate the effect of modified Maze lines plus pulmonary vein (PV) isolation created by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on atrial wall guided by a novel geometry mapping system in the treatment of elderly patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Methods After regular electrophysiological study, transseptal punctures were achieved twice with Swartz L1 and R1 sheaths. PV angiographics were conducted to evaluate their orifices and branches. A balloon electrode array catheter with 64 electrodes was put in the middle of the left atrium. Atrium geometry was constructed using Ensite 3000 Navx system. Two RFCA lesion loops and three lines (modified Maze) were created on left and right atrial walls. Each lesion point was ablated for 30 seconds with preset temperature 50 (?)and energy 30W. The disappearance or 80% decrease of the amplitude of target atrial potential and 10 to 20. decrease of ablation impedance were used as an index of effective ablation. Results A total of 11 patients (7 male and 4 female, mean age, 68.7±5.1 years) were enrolled. PAF history was 7.9±4.5 years. PAF could not be prevented by mean 3.1±1.6 antiarrhythmic agents in 6.3±3.4 years. None of the patients had complications with structural heart disease or stroke. Left atrial diameter was 41.3±3.6 mm and LVEF was 59.2±3.7 % on echocardiography. Two loops and three lines were completed with 67.8±13.1 (73-167) lesion points. Altogether 76-168 (89.4±15.3) lesion points were created in each patient. PAF could not be provoked by rapid burst pacing up to 600 beat per minute delivered from paroxysmal coronary sinus electrode pair. Complete PV electrical isolation was confirmed by three-dimensional activation mapping. Mean procedure time was 2.7±0.6 hours and fluoroscopy time was 17.8±9.4 minutes. Patients were discharged with oral aspirin and without antiarrhythmic agents. During follow up of 6.5±1.8 months, seven patients were PAF symptom free (63.6%). PAF attacks were decreased more than 70% in two patients (18.2%). PAF frequency did not change in another two patients (18.2%). Conclusions Ensile 3000 Navx guided modified Maze lines plus PV isolation on the atrial wall is safe and feasible in the elderly palienls. It has the advanlages of exact procedural endpoint, shorter X-ray exposure, fewer complications and salisfied long-term effect PAF control. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2005;2(2): 95-100).