Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Following the advent of the surgical maze procedure, several catheter techniques have been developed to provide permanent prophylaxis against atrial fibrillation. These noninvasive techniques work by compartmentalizing the atria, by ablating the arrhythmogenic foci, or by isolating the atria from these foci. Although still at an early stage of development, preliminary results using focal ablation and circumferential ablation show extreme promise.     

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Recent advancements in our understanding of atrial fibrillation have led to the development of catheter ablation techniques that feasibly could achieve a cure for AF.     

心房颤动的导管消融治疗

1994年Haissaguerre和Swartz等首先开展应用导管消融治疗心房颤动。随着对心房颤动发生和维持机制的深入研究、先进标测系统和技术的应用和多种消融策略的涌现,导管消融治疗心房颤动取得了飞速的发展,成为心脏电生理学领域最受关注的热点之一。研究表明,导管消融可以治愈心房颤动、提高患生活质量、改善心功能,并能提高生存率。目前国际上开展的心房颤动消融策略主要有：①肺静脉节段性电隔离（segmental pulmonary vein isolation,SPVI）;②心内超声引导下的肺静脉前庭部消融电隔离：③三维标测系统指导下的环肺静脉消融（circunferential pulmonary veins ablation,CPVA）;④迷走神经节丛消融;⑤左心房复杂碎裂电位（complex fractionated atrial electrograms,CFAE）部位消融等。在有经验的电生理中心,导管消融治疗心房颤动的成功率可达90％。[第一段]     

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.     

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have undergone an extensive evolution, starting with linear lesions in the right, then the left atria before being superseded by ablation of triggers, mainly from the pulmonary veins.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 therapy for atrial fibrillation

The past several years have witnessed a significant growth in the number of institutions offering catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). This growth has been a result of a better understanding of pathophysiology of AF and use of instruments and approaches that made catheter ablation of AF a safe and an effective alternative to the drug therapy. The procedure increasingly is becoming a therapy of choice for a select group of symptomatic, drug-refractory patients without structural heart disease, and it is being offered to a rapidly widening patient pool. This article reviews the procedural aspects and clinical evidence supporting this wider use of AF ablation. In addition, new techniques and technologies for AF ablation and new avenues of research in this area are explored.     

Catheter ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation

Since cases were first reported in 1994, catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation has undergone rapid development and expansion. The procedure began as an attempt to recreate the Maze III operation with a catheter technique. Understanding the contribution of the pulmonary veins to the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation led to dramatic changes in procedural technique. The segmental ostial and the circumferential approaches have emerged as the 2 dominant methods. Efforts continue in academic centers to better understand the pathophysiology of the arrhythmia and to further refine the ablation procedure to improve patient outcomes.     

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in the elderly

Background Atrial fibrillation （AF） catheter ablation has emerged as a promising treatment strategy for AF, but has not been widely adopted in the elderly population. The present study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of AF catheter ablation in the elderly popula-tion. Methods and Results The study population consisted of 316 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent left atrial ablation. Ninety-five patients were≥65 years （48 males, mean age 68.9 ± 3.0 years old） and 221 patients were〈65 years old （130 males, mean age 52.5 ± 10.4 years old）. After a mean follow-up period of 34.0 ± 15.1 months, 55 （57.9%） patients in the elderly group were free from ar-rhythmia recurrence compared with 149 （67.4%） patients in the younger group （P=0.169）. Procedural complications were uncommon in both study groups. In logistic regression analysis, left atrial diameter （P=0.003）, hypertension （P=0.001）, dyslipidemia （P=0.039）, and coronary artery disease （P=0.018） were independent predictors of AF recurrence in the elderly population. Conclusions Catheter ablation of AF is safe and effective in older patients. Invasive strategies should be considered as an alternative choice in symptomatic elderly patients with AF.     

射频导管消融治疗青年人群心房颤动的临床分析

目的 对青年心房颤动（房颤）患者（≤45岁）接受三维标测系统指导下房颤射频导管消融治疗的临床疗效和安全性予以研究.方法 回顾分析兰州军区兰州总医院自2011年1月至2012年5月在EnSite 3000指导下接受房颤射频消融治疗的152例患者,按年龄分为青年房颤患者（≤45岁）和中老年房颤患者（＞45岁）,对比分析其在临床基线资料、消融术时间、X线曝光时间、住院天数、术后复发率、术后6个月服药率和并发症发生率等临床指标上的差异.结果 与中老年房颤患者（n=125）相比,青年房颤患者（n=27）多以阵发性房颤为主（P＜0.05）,且术前左心房内径较小（P＜0.01）,消融术时间明显缩短（P＜0.01）,术后住院天数减少（P＜0.01）,复发率和术后6个月服药率均明显减少（P＜0.05）.结论 青年房颤患者多以阵发性房颤为主且较少伴有高血压、糖尿病等疾病,接受房颤消融术后恢复较快且房颤复发率低.     

心房颤动的导管消融治疗

心房颤动（房颤）是指规则有序的心房电活动丧失,代之以快速无序的颤动波,逐渐伴随心房机械功能的退化,是最严重的心房电活动紊乱。房颤常与左房室瓣疾病、心功能衰竭、缺血性心肌病以及高血压相联系,并能增加脑卒中、心功能衰竭的全因死亡率。     

阵发性心房颤动经导管消融治疗40例报告

目的探讨经导管消融治疗阵发性心房颤动(房颤)的有效性和安全性。方法自2002年7月至2004年9月，对40例药物治疗无效的反复发作的阵发性房颤患者进行导管消融治疗。同步记录高位右心房、冠状静脉窦及肺静脉电图。采用3种不同的方法(节段性消融肺静脉电隔离术，Carto三维空间标测系统指导下肺静脉电隔离术，超声球囊肺静脉电隔离术)进行肺静脉电位的消融隔离。结果术后随访3—18个月。40例中27例(67．5％)经消融成功，3例(7．5％)有效，10例(25％)失败。Carto标测可减少X线曝光时间。消融过程中出现严重并发症为1例急性心脏压塞，经抢救存活。结论经导管消融治疗阵发性房颤是可行的，对大部分患者有效。     

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in elderly population

Background Although elderly patients have been included in published series of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), clinical benefit and safety remain still less defined in this population. A retrospective analysis of the results of catheter ablation for AF in a large volume center focused on comparison of elderly patients with the rest of the patient cohort was conducted in this study. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF between January 2001 and December 2016 were analysed. A total population of 3197 patients was dichotomized by the age of 70 years (394 elderly vs. 2803 younger subjects). Patients were followed in terms of arrhythmia status and sur?vival for a median period of 18 vs. 21 and 35 vs. 57 months, respectively. Results Elderly patients were more frequently females (49% vs. 29%, P < 0.0001), had a history of hypertension (79% vs. 57%, P < 0.0001), diabetes (16% vs. 11%, P < 0.01), stroke (9% vs. 6%, P < 0.01), coronary/peripheral artery disease (14% vs. 8%, P < 0.0001), and CHA2DS2-VASc score (3.1 ± 1.3 vs. 1.5 ± 1.2 s, P < 0.0001). Major complications were more frequent in elderly (5.3% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.03); however, this difference was driven by vascular complications (3.6% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.04). There were comparable rates of cerebrovascular (0.3 vs. 0.3%) or nonvascular complications (1.8 vs. 1.2%). Good arrhythmia control was inferior in elderly patients as compared with the rest of the cohort, both without and with antiarrhythmic drugs: 44.2% vs. 58.2% (P < 0.0001) and 78.2 vs. 83.2% (P < 0.01), respectively. Poor arrhythmia control was associated with relative risk of all-cause mortality of 2.7 (95% CI: 1.1–6.4) in elderly patients and 1.4 (95% CI: 0.9–2.0) in younger subjects. Conclusions Catheter abla?tion for AF in elderly patients is safe although somewhat less effective. Good arrhythmia control is associated with better survival, especially in elderly patients.