English summary: CATHETER ABLATION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: PATIENT SELECTION AND RESULTS

Background

During recent years radiofrequency catheter ablation has become a viable option for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the experiences and results of catheter ablation for AF in Finland.

Methods

A total of 102 (84 male and 18 female) consecutive patients with drug refractory lone AF were included in the study. The ablations were conducted using the electroanatomical ablation strategy in Oulu University Hospital during years 2002-2004. The patients were 50±9 years old. The duration of the symptoms was 8.5±11.1 years, and the patients had used 3.6±1.4 antiarrhythmic drugs before ablation.

Results

The procedure took 181±39 min. and fluoroscopy 22±13 min., respectively. With experience on AF ablation both the procedure and fluoroscopy times shortened significantly. During about two years' follow-up 66% of the patients were asymptomatic and had normal sinus rhythm in Holter recordings. Serious complications occurred in 4 patients. Two patients had tamponade, which was successfully treated by pericardial puncture. One patient had symptomatic TIA, which resolved spontaneously. One patient had stenosis in the left superior pulmonary vein, which was treated with balloon angioplasty and stenting.

Conclusions

Given the good results of catheter ablation, we recommend that patients with drug refractory idiopathic AF should be referred to RF ablation.