[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.
Márquez
Manlio F
MF
Departamento de Electrocardiología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano 1, Col. Sección XVI Delegación Tlalpan CP 14080, DF México. manliomarquez@yahoo.com
Iturralde-Torres
Pedro
P
Colín-Lizalde
Luis
L
Nava-Townsend
Santiago
S
González-Aceves
Eric N
EN
Hermosillo
J Antonio G
JA
Martínez-Ríos
Marco A
MA
Victoria-Romero
Diana R
DR
Cárdenas
Manuel
M
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*