Long term follow up of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial flutter: clinical course and predictors of atrial fibrillation occurrence. Issue 1 (15th December 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bertaglia, E; Zoppo, F; Bonso, A; Proclemer, A; Verlato, R; Corò, L; Mantovan, R; D'Este, D; Zerbo, F; Pascotto, P
• Other Names: group-author.
• Is Part Of: Heart. Volume 90:Issue 1(2004)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2003-12-15
• Subjects: atrial flutter -- atrial fibrillation -- catheter ablation; AAD, antiarrhythmic drug -- AF, atrial fibrillation -- AFL, atrial flutter; Heart -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1136/heart.90.1.59
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6037

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To evaluate the time to onset and the predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) during long term follow up of patients with typical atrial flutter (AFL) treated with transisthmic ablation. Design: Prospective multicentre study. Methods and results: 383 patients (75.4% men, mean (SD) age 61.7 (11.1) years) who underwent transisthmic ablation for typical AFL were investigated. In 239 patients (62.4%) AF was present before ablation. Ablation proved successful in 367 patients (95.8%). During a mean (SD) follow up of 20.5 (12.4) months, 41.5% of patients reported AF. The cumulative probability of postablation AF increased continuously as time passed: it was 22% at six months, 36% at one year, 50% at two years, 58% at three years, and 63% at four years. Conclusions: AF occurred in a large proportion of patients after transisthmic catheter ablation of typical AFL. The occurrence of AF was progressive during follow up. Preablation AF, age < 65 years, and left atrial size > 50 mm are associated with postablation AF occurrence.