Incidence and clinical predictors of subsequent atrial fibrillation requiring additional ablation after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for typical atrial flutter.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the incidence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation for typical atrial flutter and to determine the predictors for symptomatic atrial fibrillation that required a further additional dedicated ablation procedure.

Design: 127 patients underwent elective cavotricuspid isthmus ablation with the indication of symptomatic, typical atrial flutter. The occurrence of atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular events and the need for additional ablation procedures for symptomatic atrial fibrillation was assessed during long-term follow-up.

Effect of flecainide on the extension and localization of complex fractionated electrogram during atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Complex fractionated electrogram (CFE) ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation is an accepted strategy for the treatment of non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to determine the effect of flecainide on the distribution and extension of CFE areas.

Methods: Twenty-three non-paroxysmal AF patients were enrolled in this prospective study.

Ablation effect indicated by impedance fall is correlated with contact force level during ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Previous studies have validated the use of impedance fall as a measure of the effects of ablation. We investigated whether catheter-to-tissue contact force correlated with impedance fall during atrial fibrillation ablation.

Methods And Results: A total of 394 ablation points from 35 patients who underwent atrial fibrillation ablation were selected and analyzed in terms of the presence of stable catheter contact in non-ablated areas in the left atrium.

Long-term outcomes of adjunctive complex fractionated electrogram ablation to pulmonary vein isolation as treatment for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: The adjunctive ablation of areas of complex fractionated electrogram (CFE) to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an emerging strategy for patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). We studied the long-term outcomes of this approach.

Methods: Sixty-six patients (mean age 58 ± 9, 86.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level at long-term follow-up after atrial fibrillation ablation: a marker of reverse atrial remodelling and successful ablation.

Aims: We investigated the relationship between arrhythmia burden, left atrial volume (LAV) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) at baseline and after long-term follow-up of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods: We studied 38 patients (23 paroxysmal, 6 women, mean age 56 ± 11) scheduled for AF ablation. LAV was calculated on the basis of computed tomography images at baseline and long-term follow-up, and arrhythmia burden was graded from self-reported frequency and duration of AF episodes.