First robotic endoscopic epicardial isolation of the pulmonary veins with microwave energy in a patient in chronic atrial fibrillation.
The pulmonary veins have been demonstrated to play an important role in generating atrial fibrillation. We report the first successful endoscopic epicardial isolation of the pulmonary veins in a patient with permanent atrial fibrillation, along with a 1-year follow-up. The procedure consisted of making a conduction block around the pulmonary veins with a flexible microwave energy delivery probe. The probe was placed endoscopically on the left atrial epicardium with the aid of robotic instruments.
Division of Cardiac Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York 10021, USA. loulmetd@aol.com
Didier F
DF
Loulmet
Nirav C
NC
Patel
Nilesh U
NU
Patel
William I
WI
Frumkin
Francesco
F
Santoni-Rugiu
Marie Noelle
MN
Langan
Valavanur A
VA
Subramanian
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003972:Diathermy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012371:Robotics; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000209:etiology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists