title: Ablation of atrial fibrillation: localizing triggers, mapping systems and ablation techniques.
abstract: Ablation to eliminate atrial fibrillation (AF) is a therapy in evolution. Approaches to the ablation appear to be currently divided into 2 major strategies anatomic versus electrically guided. In addition in using an electrically guided techniques debate remains whether a targeted approach should be used, whether exit block should be documented, and whether all non pulmonary vein triggers should be targeted. This review highlights the different ablation strategies and identifies a systematic approach to ablation of pulmonary and non pulmonary vein triggers that we have adapted at our institution. The role of intracardiac echo, trigger provocation and localization and the use of 3-D mapping systems in AF ablation are defined.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beldner
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Gerstenfeld
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marchlinski
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007545:Isoproterenol; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D007545:Isoproterenol