Evaluatıon Of The Effect Of Pulmonary Veın Isolatıon Treatment With Left
Atrıal Catheter Ablatıon Method On Atrıal Conductıon Tımes In Patıents
With Paroxysmal Atrıal Fıbrıllatıon
Abstract
Purpose:Atrial fibrillation(AF) causes structural, electrical, and
cellular remodeling in the atrium. Evaluation of intra- and interatrial
conduction time, which is measured by tissue doppler echocardiography,
indicates structural and electrical remodeling in the atrium. The aim of
this study was to evaluate the effect of pulmonary vein isolation
applied with RF ablation therapy on intra- and interatrial conduction
time and to investigate the structural and electrically remodeling after
treatment. Methods:Fifty-two patients with symptomatic PAF despite at
least one antiarrhythmic drug and without structural heart disease were
included in the study. Two patients were excluded because of
complications developed during and after the operation. Fifty patients
(28 female; mean age: 51.68 ± 11.731; mean left atrial diameter: 36.79 ±
4.318) who underwent CARTO® 3D pulmonary vein isolation applied with the
RF ablation system were followed-up. Intra- and the inter-atrial
electromechanical delay was measured in all patients by tissue doppler
echocardiography before and three months after RF ablation. Results:All
intra- and interatrial conduction times were significantly decreased 3
months after RF ablation procedure(PA lateral p = 0.022; PA septum p =
0.002; PA tricuspid p = 0.019, interatrial conduction delay p= 0,012,
intra-atrial conduction delay p = 0.029). Conclusion:The results of our
study suggest that providing stable sinus rhythm by the elimination of
the AF triggering mechanisms with RF ablation of pulmonary vein
isolation may slow down,stop or even improve structural remodeling at
substrate level secondary to AF even in patients who did not yet develop
atrial fibrosis and permanent structural changes.