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Acute Effects of Left Atrial Radiofrequency Ablation on Atrial Fibrillation.
- Source :
-
Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology . May2004, Vol. 15 Issue 5, p515-521. 7p. 2 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- Left Atrial Ablation. Introduction: Acutely, when left atrial ablation is performed during atrial fibrillation (AF), the AF may persist and require cardioversion, or it may convert to sinus rhythm or to atrial tachycardia/flutter. The prevalence of these acute outcomes has not been described. Methods and Results: Left atrial ablation, usually including encirclement of the pulmonary veins, was performed during AF in 144 patients with drug-refractory AF. Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 19 patients (13%), to left atrial tachycardia in 6 (4%), and to atrial flutter in 6 (4%). In the 6 patients with a focal atrial tachycardia, the mean cycle length was 294 ± 45 ms. The tachycardia arose in the left atrial roof in 3 patients, the left atrial appendage in 2, and the anterior left atrium in 1. In 3 of 6 patients, the focal atrial tachycardia originated in an area that displayed a relatively short cycle length during AF. In 6 patients, AF converted to macroreentrant atrial flutter with a mean cycle length of 253 ± 47 ms, involving the mitral isthmus in 5 patients and the septum in 1 patient. All atrial tachycardias and flutters were successfully ablated with 1 to 15 applications of radiofrequency energy. Conclusion: When left atrial ablation is performed during AF, the AF may convert to atrial tachycardia or flutter in approximately 10% of patients. Focal atrial tachycardias that occur during ablation of AF may be attributable to driving mechanisms that persist after AF has been eliminated, whereas atrial flutter results from incomplete ablation lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10453873
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12967556
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1540-8167.2004.03390.x