title: Predictors of successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation using the pulmonary vein isolation technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pulmonary vein isolation has been performed to cure atrial fibrillation (Af). However, the recurrence rate of Af is relatively high, and additional sessions are sometimes required. The predictors of successful pulmonary vein isolation were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 52 patients (41 men, mean age 55 +/- 9 years) with Af who underwent pulmonary vein isolation. A second session was required in 22 patients with recurrence of Af after the first session. Pulmonary vein isolation eliminated Af in 38 patients after 1 or 2 sessions. Patients with successful pulmonary vein isolation (n = 39) were compared with those with unsuccessful pulmonary vein isolation despite 2 sessions (n = 13).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients in the successful group had significantly higher incidence of paroxysmal Af (92% vs 46%, p < 0.001) and lower incidence of mitral regurgitation (10% vs 46%, p < 0.01) than those in the unsuccessful group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to age, history of Af, cardiopulmonary ratio, dimension of left atrium, ejection fraction, pulmonary vein diameter, and pulmonary vein number.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Type of Af and presence of mitral regurgitation are significant predictors of successful pulmonary vein isolation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka.
authors.forename: Tomoo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Hiroo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tojo
authors.forename: Naomichi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Keijiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saku
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D055502:Secondary Prevention