Ablation of the critical isthmus in localized reentrant atrial tachycardia after ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation resulted in 89% (8 of 9) of patients being free from arrhythmias at 11 months.
Observational (n=9)
Does ablation of the critical isthmus eliminate localized reentrant atrial tachycardia in patients with prior ablation for long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation?
In patients with recurrent atrial tachycardia after ablation for long-lasting persistent AF, localized reentry often occurs near prior ablation lesions and can be effectively eliminated by targeted ablation of the critical isthmus.
BACKGROUND: Mapping of recurrent atrial tachycardia (AT) after extensive ablation for long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is complex. We sought to describe the electrophysiological characteristics of localized reentry occurring after ablation of long-lasting persistent AF. METHODS: Out of 70 patients undergoing catheter ablation of long-lasting persistent AF, 9 patients (13%, 55 +/- 8 years, 8 males) in whom localized reentry was demonstrated in a repeat ablation were studied. Localized reentry was defined as reentry in which the circuit was localized to a small area and did not have a central obstacle. The mechanism of AT was determined by electroanatomical and entrainment mapping. RESULTS: Nine localized reentries with cycle length of 243 +/- 41 ms were mapped in 9 patients. The location of AT was the left atrial appendage in 4 patients, anterior left atrium in 2, left septum in 2, and mitral isthmus in 1. In all ATs, a critical isthmus of <10 mm in width was identified in the vicinity of the prior linear lesions or ostia of isolated pulmonary veins. Ablation of the critical isthmus, which was characterized by continuous low-voltage activity (median voltage: 0.15 mV, mean duration: 117 +/- 31 ms), terminated AT and rendered it noninducible. Additionally, ablation was performed for all of inducible ATs. At 11 +/- 7 months after the procedure, 8 of 9 patients (89%) were free from any arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: After ablation of long-lasting persistent AF, localized reentry may arise from a site in the vicinity of the prior ablation lesions. Ablation of the critical isthmus eliminates the arrhythmia.
Takahashi et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Localized reentrant atrial tachycardia after catheter ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation (n=9). Catheter ablation of the critical isthmus was evaluated on Freedom from any arrhythmias. Ablation of the critical isthmus in localized reentrant atrial tachycardia after ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation resulted in 89% (8 of 9) of patients being free from arrhythmias at 11 months.