[Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial flutter].

Background: The anatomical structure of atrial flutter is now well recognized, and treatment with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) is established. Several recording and ablation techniques can be applied.

Material And Methods: An increasing number of patients have been treated with RFA at the Arrhythmia Centre at Haukeland University Hospital over the last six years. During the two-year period 1999 and 2000, a total of 108 procedures were performed for atrial flutter in a total of 84 patients. A total of 543 RFA procedures for various forms of re-entry tachycardias were performed during the same period; hence, atrial flutter comprised about 20% of RFA procedures. Altogether 71 men and 14 women with a mean age of 57 +/- 12 years were treated. The mean history of atrial flutter had a duration of nine years, maximum 43 years with several hospital admissions, drug trials, overdrive pacing and DC conversion until they were ultimately cured with RFA.

Results: The success rate during first time treatment was 96.5%. No serious complications were observed.

Interpretation: RFA should be the treatment of first choice in patients with recurrent or incessant atrial flutter.