[Circumferential isolation of pulmonary veins with transcatheter radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation].

Background: Circumferential anatomical isolation of the pulmonary veins by radiofrequency transcatheter ablation is a new technique for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of circumferential radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins and to analyze clinical, echocardiographic and procedural parameters as possible predictors of clinical success.

Methods: We performed circumferential isolation of the pulmonary veins in 33 patients with paroxysmal (15 patients) or persistent AF (18 patients) refractory to at least two antiarrhythmic drugs.