RATIONALE Electrogram-based catheter ablation, targeting complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs), is empirically known to be effective in halting persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the mechanisms underlying CFAEs and electrogram-based ablation remain unclear. OBJECTIVE Because atrial fibrosis is associated with persistent/permanent AF, we hypothesized that electr...

BACKGROUND Complications concerning the coronary arteries that are directly related to radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures have not been reported in children. Coronary artery lesions, however, have been demonstrated after the endocardial application of radiofrequency current in young animals. METHODS AND RESULTS Two boys with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve developed clinical...

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition associated with raised right heart pressures and subsequent remodelling of the right atrium and ventricle with relative preservation of left heart function. There is a high incidence of arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia. Despite recent advances in medical therapy for pulmonar...

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncommon in children, and its mechanisms are unknown. This study describes the electrophysiological findings in children and adolescents with AF and the outcome of catheter ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS Nine adolescents with symptomatic, lone AF who failed antiarrhythmic drug therapy were evaluated. All patients had ECG-documented AF and underwent invasi...

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is difficult when the left atrium is compressed by the vertebra. The heart may shift forward, and compression of the left atrium may be relieved in the left lateral decubitus position. Therefore, catheter ablation could be performed in the left lateral decubitus position even in such cases.

Pulmonary vein stenosis, which is one of the rare complications of radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, has various symptoms. Here, we report a rare case of massive hemoptysis due to pulmonary vein stenosis following radiofrequency catheter ablation, which was successfully managed with pneumonectomy.

㻌 Background-As the technique for radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a novel, multielectrode, duty-cycled radiofrequency ablation (RFA) system for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND RFA for persistent AF remains a lengthy and challenging procedure. METHODS In 5 European centers, 50 patients with long-standing persistent AF underwent RFA. A circular pulmon...

BACKGROUND Recently, a hybrid surgical-electrophysiological (EP) approach for confirming ablation lines in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) was suggested. The aim of this approach was to overcome the limitations of current surgery- and catheter-based techniques to yield better outcomes. METHODS Ten consecutive patients with AF underwent total thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) following trans...

BACKGROUND Catheter ablation of left-sided atrial arrhythmias generally is performed using a transfemoral venous approach through the inferior vena cava (IVC). In this report, we assessed the feasibility of a percutaneous transhepatic approach to ablation of left-sided atrial arrhythmias in 2 patients with interruption of the IVC. METHODS AND RESULTS Patient 1 had atrial flutter in the settin...