Radiofrequency catheter ablation of permanent atrial fibrillation under guidance of carto-merge technique
Ren, Z-fang.; Fang, P-hua.; Ma, F-sheng.; Chu, J-min.; Ma, J.; Zhang, S.
Chinese Medical Sciences Journal 22(3): 156-161
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1001-9294 PMID: 17966163 Document Number: 608886
Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) to treat permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) under the guidance of Carto-Merge technique.Methods Fifteen male patients with permanent AF underwent RFCA under the guidance of Carto-Merge technique. The mean age was 54.00 +/- 10.44 years, and duration of AF was 23.66 +/- 14.93 months. Cardiac magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed to obtain pre-procedural three-dimensional (3D) images on the anatomy of left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) before RFCA procedure. Then the electroanatomical map was integrated with 3D images of MRA to form Carto-Merge map that guided step-by-step ablation strategy of permanent AF. Circumferential PV ablation was performed first until complete PVs electric isolation confirmed by Lasso catheter. If AF was not terminated, lesion lines on roof of LA, mitral isthmus, and tricuspid isthmus were produced.Results The episodes of AF were terminated during RFCA in 2 patients, by direct current cardioversion in the remaining 13 patients. Transient AF occurred in 2 patients after ablation on I st day and I st week respectively, AF terminated spontaneously not long after taking metoprolol. One patient developed persistent atrial flutter (AFL) in 2 months after procedure and AFL was eliminated by the second ablation. Persistent AF recurred on I st day, I st and 5 th week respectively in 3 patients, and did not terminate after 3 months even though arniodarone was given. The remaining 12 patients were all free of AF during 2-11 months of follow-up. The recent success rate for RFCA of permanent AF was 80%.Conclusions Carto-Merge technique can effectively guide RFCA of permanent AR When combined with single Lasso mapping, it can simplify the mapping, lower expenses, and enhance the success rate of RFCA of permanent AF.