title: Voltage mapping and pacing to assess the level of pulmonary venous isolation achieved with a novel circular multielectrode ablation catheter.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the level of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation achieved with the use of a novel radiofrequency circular multielectrode ablation catheter [pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC)] in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Although some efficacy data have been presented, the level of PV isolation, which is crucial both for efficacy and safety of the ablation, has not been defined with this new ablation catheter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Detailed sinus rhythm voltage maps using an electroanatomic mapping system and projected on 3D computed tomography-derived reconstructions of the left atrium (LA) were obtained before and after PV isolation with the PVAC. Left atrium-PV entry and exit block was assessed for each vein. The population consisted of 12 patients, mean age 57+/-6 years, seven male. After ablation, an extensive zone of potential reduction that included the ostium of each PV was observed in all patients. Bipolar voltages were significantly reduced in all PVs and in the LA close to the vein ostia, the mean voltage reduction was >80%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the PVAC, (i) PVs are isolated at the level of the PV ostium and, importantly, outside the tubular portion and (ii) significant voltage reduction is also recorded at various extent proximal to the PV ostium at the level of the antral region.
authors.affiliation: Arrhythmia Section, Division of Cardiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Robert Koch Allee, 9, Bad Berka 99437, Germany.
authors.forename: Santi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raffa
authors.forename: Anett
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grosse
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brunelli
authors.forename: Kristel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wauters
authors.forename: Johann Christoph
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Geller
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome