title: Value of Implantable Loop Recorders in Monitoring Efficacy of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of the implantable loop recorder (ILR) in diagnosing atrial fibrillation (AF) and assessing the postoperative efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 32 patients who successfully underwent RFCA were selected. These patients discontinued antiarrhythmic medication with no AF recurrence for more than 3 months after RFCA, and underwent ILR placement by a conventional method. The clinical manifestations and information on arrhythmias recorded by the ILR were followed up to assess the efficacy of AF RFCA. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 24.7±12.5 months. Of 32 patients with ILR information, 27 had successful RFCA and 5 had recurrent AF. The follow-up results obtained by traditional methods showed 29 patients with successful RFCA and 3 with recurrent AF (P<0.05). Among the 18 patients with clinical symptoms, 13 had recorded cardiac arrhythmic events (72.2%) and 5 showed sinus rhythm (27.8%). The ILRs recorded 18 patients with arrhythmic events (56.3%), including 12 cases of atrial arrhythmias, among whom 5 recurred at 9, 12, 16, 17, and 32 months after AF RFCA; there were also 2 patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 4 with bradycardia. CONCLUSIONS The value of ILR in assessing the efficacy of AF RFCA was superior to that of traditional methods. ILR can promptly detect asymptomatic AF, and can monitor electrocardiogram features after RFCA, thus providing objective evidence of efficacy.
authors: Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland).
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland).
authors: Lijin
authors: L
authors: Pu
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States Minor outlying Islands.
authors: Liuqing
authors: L
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland).
authors: Fang
authors: F
authors: Li
authors: Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland).
authors: Zhiling
authors: Z
authors: Luo
authors: Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland).
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Guo
authors: Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland).
authors: Baotong
authors: B
authors: Hua
authors: Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China (mainland).
authors: Shumin
authors: S
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058542:Implantable Neurostimulators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020377:Self Efficacy
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents