[Pulmonary vein ablation as a therapy for atrial fibrillation.].
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia and frequently difficult to treat. Despite therapeutic options, such as antiarrhythmic drugs and electrical cardioversion, many patients with this arrhythmia have recurrences. Radiofrequency catheter ablation has been a developing therapeutic option for patients with atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vein ablation, where atrial tissue in the pulmonary veins is targeted, has been the most promising ablation strategy. This atrial tissue is a frequent source of ectopic beats which can induce atrial fibrillation. Recently, this was utilised for the first time on Icelandic patients. These two case reports and a description of the procedure are the focus of this paper.
Arnar
Davíð O
DO
Landspitali University Hospital, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. davidar@landspitali.is.
Gottskálksson
Gizur
G