title: Radio-frequency ablation of atrial flutter: long-term results and predictive value of cavo-tricuspid isthmus bidirectional block as determined by a simplified technique.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Fédération de Cardiologie, University Hospital Rangueil, Toulouse, France. mauryjphil@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maury
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raczka
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaty
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duparc
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Couderc
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hollington
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Celse
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delay
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fauvel
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puel
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davy
mesh_terms: 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