The role of ablation of the atrioventricular junction in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Ablation of the atrioventricular junction (AVJ) is a technically easy procedure that is safe and has a high success rate as an intervention for effective ventricular rate control in patients in symptomatic atrial fibrillation. AVJ ablation has been reported to improve quality of life, left ventricular ejection fraction, and exercise duration in these patients and minimize the incidence of inappropriate shocks. Because right ventricular pacing after AVJ ablation may result in decrease in left ventricular function and worsening of heart failure symptoms, there is increasing evidence to support the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy in atrial fibrillation populations.
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Eszter M
EM
Vegh
Nitesh
N
Sood
Jagmeet P
JP
Singh
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
AV junction ablation; Cardiac resynchronization therapy; Therapy refractory atrial fibrillation