title: [Results of radiofrequency ablation of the inferior vena cava-tricuspid valve isthmus for atrial flutter].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency ablation of the inferior vena cava-tricuspid valve isthmus relieves atrial flutter in 95% of cases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long term results of radiofrequency ablation of the inferior vena cava-tricuspid valve isthmus in atrial flutter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 86 patients with common atrial flutter, treated with radiofrequency ablation of the isthmus, while in sinus rhythm or flutter. Patients were contacted by telephone for a new clinical and electrocardiographic assessment, three to 40 months after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all the patients treated, five died and five were lost from follow up, thus 76 patients (mean age 56 years, 58 males) were contacted for reassessment. At the moment of the procedure, 51% had an underlying cardiac disease and 25% had high blood pressure. All referred palpitations, 25% had dyspnea, 84% were receiving antiarrhythmic drugs and 33% were on oral anticoagulants. Flutter was paroxystic in 83% and chronic in 17%. Fulguration was successful in all patients; one patient presented a high grade atrioventricular block as a complication of the procedure. At reassessment, 82% of patients were in sinus rhythm, 16% had atrial fibrillation and 2%, an atypical flutter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency fulguration is a safe and effective treatment of atrial flutter.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Electrofisiología Cardíaca, Departamento de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Almendares
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frangini
authors.forename: Ismael
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vergara
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baeza
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000601:surgery*