Abstract: . . .  0972-6292), 3(4): 210-223 (2003) Page 12 Andre J. Gauri, Bradley P. Knight, Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation 221 PV stenosis defined as a luminal narrowing of > 70%. However, only 10 of the patients (3%) were symptomatic with the most prevalent symptom being shortness of breath (8 patients), followed by cough (7 patients) and hemoptysis (5 patients). An awareness of this potential complication is important since therapeutic options are available. Balloon angioplasty and venous stenting have been performed in symptomatic patients. Pulmonary vein isolation was reported initially to be associated with long procedure and fluoroscopy times. However, it has been shown that centers that have performed over 75 cases can typically complete the procedure in less than 3 hours and with less than 60 minutes of fluoroscopy. 18 Figure 13. Electroanatomic maps of the left atrium . . .
. . .  remains an intact PVP recorded at electrodes 2-3 and 10-1. The format and abbreviations are the same as for figure 9. Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal (ISSN 0972-6292), 3(4): 210-223 (2003) Page 10 Andre J. Gauri, Bradley P. Knight, Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation 219 Figure 11. In this example radiofrequency current is delivered near electrode number 1 on the circular mapping catheter that is positioned at the ostium of the left superior pulmonary vein. There are two pulmonary vein potentials visible during atrial fibrillation with the earliest activation seen at LA 1-2 as highlighted by the vertical dotted line. All PVPs are eliminated during ablation. The format and abbreviations are the same as for figure 9. Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal (ISSN 0972-6292), 3(4): 210-223 (2003) Page 11 Andre J. Gauri, . . .
. . .  segmental and circumferential ablations appear to have comparable long term success rates and low rates of complications. However, for patients with persistent or permanent AF, the circumferential ablation approach using 3D- elcctroanatomic mapping appears to be more successful. Patients with AF who are suitable candidates for catheter ablation are those with symptomatic AF despite reasonable pharmacologic efforts and minimal structural heart disease. The future of ablation therapy for AF will likely be an approach which both eliminates the trigger of AF and alters the substrate which permits maintenance of the arrhythmia. New catheter designs and alternative energy sources are currently under investigation to improve the safety, efficiency, and success rate of catheter ablation for AF. References 1. Go AS, Hylek EM, Phillips KA et al. Prevalence of diagnosed atrial fibrillation in adults. JAMA 2001;285: 2370-5. 2. Falk . . .
--3000,3,500,3247,28744