[Pulmonary vein isolation with multipolar ablation catheters for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

Atrial fibrillation (AFIB) is the most common atrial rhythm disease and is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic and cardiac complications. Different therapies are used in clinical routine: frequency control with anticoagulants and rhythm control. In patients with paroxysmal AFIB but without structural heart disease, antiarrhythmic drug therapy was previously first priority; however, pulmonary vein catheter ablation is becoming more important.

[Atrial fibrillation ablation: who comes into consideration?].

Atrial fibrillation ablation is, since the introduction of the guidelines in 2006 and which were updated in 2007, now a standard procedure in many electrophysiological centers. Pulmonary vein isolation has proven itself as a way to eliminate focal triggers. From pathophysiological studies of atrial fibrillation development, it is known that ablation performed early in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has the highest chance for success.

[Catheter ablation of typical atrial flutter].

Atrial flutter is one of the most common supraventricular arrhythmic diseases and occurs with an incidence of 88/100,000. The high risk for thromboembolic events is similar to that for atrial fibrillation and also has the risk for fast conduction to the ventricle. Pharmacological treatment is not significantly effective.

The polymorphisms S503P and Q576R in the interleukin-4 receptor alpha gene are associated with atopy and influence the signal transduction.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays a major role in immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. Its signal is conferred to effector cells through binding to the alpha chain of the IL-4 receptor (IL-4Ralpha). We present further evidence for polymorphisms in the IL-4Ralpha gene having an effect on IgE regulation.