Radio-frequency ablation of atrial flutter: long-term results and predictive value of cavo-tricuspid isthmus bidirectional block as determined by a simplified technique.
OBJECTIVE
Complete bidirectional cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) block is mandatory for radio-frequency (RF) ablation of typical atrial flutter (AF). CTI block can be assessed by a simplified method using two catheters and the technique of differential pacing, but long-term results in large series are poorly known.


METHODS
CTI RF ablation was performed in 255 consecutive patients with typical AF, using one quadripolar catheter, and the ablation catheter, in association with the technique of differential pacing.


RESULTS
Procedural success, as defined by documentation of complete bidirectional CTI block using limited activation mapping, positive differential pacing together with termination of ongoing AF, was achieved in 80% of patients. AF recurred in 37 patients (14%) over a mean follow-up period of 15 +/- 9 months. Two hundred and forty-one patients (94%) were finally cured, with 1.1 procedures/patient. The recurrence rate was related to the achievement of complete CTI bidirectional block (12% vs. 29%, p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term results of CTI ablation, employing a simplified method using the differential pacing technique, are similar to those for the standard methods using multipolar catheters. Therefore, this technique compares favorably to other established methods for such common RF procedures, especially due to its lower cost.
Maury
Philippe
P
Fédération de Cardiologie, University Hospital Rangueil, Toulouse, France. mauryjphil@hotmail.com
Raczka
Frank
F
Gaty
Denis
D
Duparc
Alexandre
A
Couderc
Philippe
P
Hollington
Lucy
L
Celse
Dominique
D
Delay
Marc
M
Fauvel
Jean-Marie
JM
Puel
Jacques
J
Davy
Jean-Marc
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006329:Heart Conduction System; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014261:Tricuspid Valve