title: Total endoscopic ablation of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Total endoscopic ablation of atrial fibrillation is a treatment option in symptomatic patients after unsuccessful catheter ablation or when catheter ablation is considered inappropriate. We describe a technique of endoscopic ablation of the left atrium using temperature-controlled unipolar or bipolar radiofrequency. A left atrial box lesion encircling the pulmonary veins is created using three ports in the right hemithorax. The technical aspects and preliminary results of the procedure are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Espen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fengsrud
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wickbom
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden anders.ahlsson@orebroll.se.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahlsson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Ablation; Atrial fibrillation; Endoscopy; Radiofrequency energy