title: Noncontact system-guided simplified right atrial linear lesions using radiofrequency transcatheter ablation for treatment of refractory atrial fibrillation.
abstract: This article describes our experience with a staged "hybrid" approach to the treatment of drug resistant AF, in which the completeness of a single linear lesion in the RA was verified with a noncontact mapping system. Inferior vena cava-tricuspid annulus ablation was performed and followed by the creation of a single intercaval lesion. The study population consisted of 24 patients with a 3.4 +/- 1.6-year history of drug resistant, severely symptomatic, lone paroxysmal (n = 19), or persistent (n = 5) AF. During a follow-up of 8 +/- 2.6 months, 12 (50%) patients remained asymptomatic and 6 (25%) had a significant decrease in AF episodes, while the arrhythmia was unchanged in 5 (21%) patients and aggravated in 1 (4%) patient. Overall, a favorable clinical result was achieved in 18 (75%) patients.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing Unit, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Milano, Italy. maurizio.gasparini@humanitas.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gasparini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coltorti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mantica
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galimberti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ceriotti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beatty
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005424:Flecainide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011405:Propafenone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000601:surgery; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D011405:Propafenone; D005424:Flecainide