Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: for whom and how?
Catheter ablation is the treatment of choice for certain patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal or even persistent atrial fibrillation. Several techniques are used with a similar success rate of approximately 70% over 6 to 12 months of follow-up. Pulmonary vein isolation by conventional antral or electroanatomic circumferential ablation is mainly used in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Electrogram-guided and combined approaches are also used, particularly in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, whereas new methods such as autonomic denervation are under investigation.
Department of Cardiology, Athens Euroclinic, Athens, Greece. dkatritsis@euroclinic.gr
Demosthenes G
DG
Katritsis
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection