[Electrophysiologic study and ablation therapy in idiopathic paroxystic atrial fibrillation].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the results of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of the pulmonary veins (PV) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).


METHODS
We describe 4 patients (38 +/- 12 years, interval 8-52; 11 men) with symptomatic PAF, refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs. Special mapping catheters were used and ablation was performed at the ostium/antrum of those veins with abnormal electrical activity (AEA).


RESULTS
AEA in one or more PV was identified in 13 patients (86%); in one patient AEA was also found in the superior vena cava (6.6%). One procedure was complicated by unstable ventricular tachycardia and was notfinished. Success was accomplished in 10, in 5 after the first ablation, in 4 after the second, and in one after a third procedure. One patient had pericarditis with a small pericardial effusion that did not require intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
RFCA is a useful and relatively safe procedure for the treatment of PAF and the only one with curative potential. The long-term rate of success (with or without antiarrhythmics) in this series was 71%. These results justify catheter ablation in selected patients with symptomatic PAF unresponsive to medical treatment.
Departamento de Electrocardiología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano 1, Col. Sección XVI Delegación Tlalpan CP 14080, DF México. manliomarquez@yahoo.com
Manlio F
MF
Márquez
Pedro
P
Iturralde-Torres
Luis
L
Colín-Lizalde
Santiago
S
Nava-Townsend
Eric N
EN
González-Aceves
J Antonio G
JA
Hermosillo
Marco A
MA
Martínez-Ríos
Diana R
DR
Victoria-Romero
Manuel
M
Cárdenas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002648:Child; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000503:physiopathology*