Interv Akut Kardiol. 2008;7(1):17-20

Catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using a Cooled-tip electrode

Jan Chovančík, Martin Filala, Dorota Wojnarová, Henryk Szymeczek, Radek Neuwirth, Renáta Nevřalová, Otakar Jiravský, Marian Branny

Kardiocentrum Nemocnice Podlesí, Třinec

Methods: Catheter ablation of symptomatic paroxysmal AF was carried out in 291 patients (73 females, 55 ± 10 years). The ablation strategy was based on conventional or electroanatomically navigated ablation around pulmonary veins (PV), and possibly left atrial linear lesions. PV isolation in all patients, and termination of an ongoing AF in some patients, were the endpoints of the procedure.

Results: Repeat ablation was performed in 60 (21 %) patients; 17 (6 %) patients, and 2 (1 %) patients underwent two, respectively three repeat ablations. There were 4 significant periprocedural complications (1.4 % per patients, 1.1 % per procedures). At the end of the 22 ± 14 month follow-up period, 250 (86 %) patients remained free from clinically obvious AF recurrence, of whom 207 (71 %) had no documentation or clinical suspicion of AF recurrence free from antiarrhythmic drugs. Reduction in the use of amiodarone (119 vs. 23 patients), propafenone (101 vs. 25 patients) a sotalol (58 vs. 19 patients), and warfarin (271 vs. 61 patients) was significant (P < 0,001 for all drugs).

Conclusion: Long-term success of catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF using a cooled-tip electrode is high. Reduction in the use of antiarrhythmic medication and warfarin is significant.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal, catheter ablation, cooled-tip electrode

Published: March 27, 2008  Show citation