TREAT AF (Transcutaneous Electrical Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Suppress Atrial Fibrillation): A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objectives: This study was a sham-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial to examine the effect of chronic low level tragus stimulation (LLTS) in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Background: Low-level transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus (LLTS) acutely suppresses atrial fibrillation (AF) in humans, but the chronic effect remains unknown.

Methods: LLTS (20 Hz, 1 mA below the discomfort threshold) was delivered using an ear clip attached to the tragus (active arm) (n = 26) or the ear lobe (sham control arm) (n = 27) for 1 h daily over 6 months.

Mitral regurgitation after atrioventricular node catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and heart failure: acute hemodynamic features.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular node and pacemaker insertion have been associated with occasional development of mitral regurgitation (MR). Ventricular pacing might result in MR if (1) left ventricular (LV) compliance is decreased and/or (2) mitral valve leaflet apposition is disturbed. We studied acute hemodynamic changes resulting from initiation of ventricular pacing in patients undergoing ablation.

Predictors of outcome after radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular node for atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

Background: Although radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node is an established treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) with uncontrolled ventricular response, factors that predict clinical outcome in patients with associated congestive heart failure (CHF) are unknown.

Methods And Results: AV node ablation and permanent pacemaker implantation was performed in 44 consecutive patients (mean age 71+/-10 years) with CHF and AF associated with uncontrolled ventricular response. Immediately before ablation, mean left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) measured by 2-dimensional echocardiogram was 34.

Comparison of the effects of AV nodal ablation versus AV nodal modification in patients with congestive heart failure and uncontrolled atrial fibrillation.

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of the atrioventricular node (AVN) and implantation of a ventricular pacemaker can improve cardiac performance in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and uncontrolled atrial fibrillation (AF). Alternatively, RF catheter modification of the AVN has been proposed to slow ventricular response during AF without requirement for permanent pacing. Among 44 consecutive patients (mean age 69.