[Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial flutter].
BACKGROUND
The anatomical structure of atrial flutter is now well recognized, and treatment with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) is established. Several recording and ablation techniques can be applied.


METHODS
An increasing number of patients have been treated with RFA at the Arrhythmia Centre at Haukeland University Hospital over the last six years. During the two-year period 1999 and 2000, a total of 108 procedures were performed for atrial flutter in a total of 84 patients. A total of 543 RFA procedures for various forms of re-entry tachycardias were performed during the same period; hence, atrial flutter comprised about 20% of RFA procedures. Altogether 71 men and 14 women with a mean age of 57 +/- 12 years were treated. The mean history of atrial flutter had a duration of nine years, maximum 43 years with several hospital admissions, drug trials, overdrive pacing and DC conversion until they were ultimately cured with RFA.


RESULTS
The success rate during first time treatment was 96.5%. No serious complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA should be the treatment of first choice in patients with recurrent or incessant atrial flutter.
Ohm
O J
OJ
Hjerteavdelingen, Institutt for indremedisin Universitetet i Bergen.
Chen
J
J
Hoff
P I
PI
Rossvoll
O
O
Erga
K S
KS
Faerestrand
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography