November 1, 1994Circulation
Control of rapid ventricular response by radiofrequency catheter modification of the atrioventricular node in patients with medically refractory atrial fibrillation.
Key result
Radiofrequency catheter modification of the AV node reduced maximum ventricular rate from 164 to 123 beats per minute (P<0.01) in 70% of patients with medically refractory atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
Does radiofrequency catheter modification of the atrioventricular node reduce ventricular rate in patients with medically refractory atrial fibrillation?
Population
10 patients with medically refractory atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response.
Design
Case_series
Follow-up
mean 14 +/- 8 months (range, 1 to 22)
Authors
Discussion
Loading...
Member takes
Implication
May support AV node modification for rate control in refractory AF; leaves open efficacy, safety, and durability in controlled trials.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=10)
Structured PICO
Does radiofrequency catheter modification of the atrioventricular node reduce ventricular rate in patients with medically refractory atrial fibrillation?
P
Population
10 patients with medically refractory atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response.
I
Intervention
Radiofrequency (RF) catheter modification of the atrioventricular (AV) node using a 4-mm-tipped electrode catheter, applying 16 to 30 W for up to 60 seconds.
O
Outcome
Maximum and average ventricular ratesurrogate
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 123% vs 164%
p-value: p=< .01
Radiofrequency catheter modification of the AV node can effectively control rapid ventricular response in a subset of patients with medically refractory atrial fibrillation, potentially avoiding the need for complete AV node ablation and pacemaker implantation.
Limitations
- Large-scale clinical trials will be needed to determine the overall efficacy and safety of this technique.
- Small sample size, requiring large-scale clinical trials to determine overall efficacy and safety
Cite This Study
Feld et al. (1994) conducted an observational in medically refractory atrial fibrillation (n=10). Radiofrequency catheter modification of the atrioventricular node vs. Baseline was evaluated on Maximum ventricular rate (beats per minute) (p=< .01). Radiofrequency catheter modification of the AV node reduced maximum ventricular rate from 164 to 123 beats per minute (P<0.01) in 70% of patients with medically refractory atrial fibrillation.