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PubMed2001

Radiofrequency modified maze in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing concomitant cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: In the majority of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation the arrhythmia will persist after correction of the underlying structural abnormality. The maze procedure is an effective surgical method to eliminate atrial fibrillation and to restore atrial contractility. METHODS: In this study we used radiofrequency energy to create lines of conduction block in both atria during cardiac surgery as a modification of the maze III procedure. One hundred twenty-two patients with atrial fibrillation for at least 1 year and structural heart disease underwent open heart operation and a radiofrequency modified maze procedure. RESULTS: In 108 (89%) of 122 patients mitral valve surgery was performed, and in this group 86 patients (80%) underwent 121 concomitant procedures. Fourteen patients (11%) underwent cardiac surgery not involving the mitral valve. The additional crossclamp time required for the left atrial part of the radiofrequency modified maze procedure was 14 +/- 3 minutes. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.1%. The overall 39-month survival was 90%, and freedom of atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation was 78.5% +/- 5.1%. Eighty-nine survivors with sinus, atrial rhythm, or atrioventricular sequential pacemaker had Doppler echocardiography, and right atrial transport function was documented in 83% and left atrial transport function in 77% of patients. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the radiofrequency modified maze procedure as an adjunctive procedure is safe, time-sparing, and effective in eliminating atrial fibrillation and restoring atrial transport function.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia and one which may cause pilot incapacitation. In many cases there may be no more than one episode and there will be no organic heart disease. Prediction of the risk of recurrence is not possible. Atrial fibrillation in both paroxysmal and persistent forms should be disqualifying for Class I or unrestricted Class III certification. Individuals with a single episode of atrial fibrillation related to a reversible toxic cause but with no evidence of organic heart disease could be considered for restricted duty subject to echocardiographic and ambulatory electrocardiographic follow up. Atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia should disbar from aircrew duties.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

An 8 1/2-year clinical experience with surgery for atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The authors analyzed the clinical results during the first 8 1/2 years' experience with the Maze procedure for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Atrial fibrillation occurs in 0.4% to 2% of the general population and in approximately 10% of patients older than 60 years of age. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The irregular heartbeat causes discomfort, the loss of synchronous atrioventricular contraction compromises hemodynamics and the stasis of blood flow increases the vulnerability to thromboembolism. METHODS: From September 25, 1987 to March 1, 1996, 178 patients underwent the Maze procedure. Thirty-two patients underwent the Maze-I procedure, 15 underwent the Maze-II procedure, and 118 underwent the Maze-III procedure. Patients were analyzed for recurrence of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation between 3 months and 8 1/2 years after surgery (n = 164). Patients were analyzed for atrial transport function, sinus nodule function, and postoperative pacemaker requirements. RESULTS: Ninety-three percent of all patients were arrhythmia free without any antiarrhythmic medication. Of the remaining patients with arrhythmia recurrence, all were converted to sinus rhythm with medical therapy. All patients were documented to have atrial transport function by either direct visualization, transesophageal echocardiography, or atrioventricular versus ventricular pacing at the same rate. Ninety-eight percent had documented right atrial function, and 94% had left atrial function. Of the 107 patients in this series who were documented to have a normal sinus node preoperatively, only 1 patient required a permanent pacemaker. CONCLUSION: The Maze procedure is an effective treatment for medically refractory atrial fibrillation in properly selected patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Electrophysiology and indications for pacing in the '80's.

Newer electrophysiological studies have improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias. Bradycardias originate either from a dysfunction of impulse formation in the sinoatrial node or from a disturbed conduction of the impulse. Different pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed as causes of tachyarrhythmias: circus movement (re-entry) is primarily due to pathological changes in conduction and refractoriness. Focal impulse formation results from local disturbances of depolarization and repolarization of the cell membrane: increased automaticity, abnormal automaticity, triggered activity. Symptomatic bradycardias still represent the standard indication for cardiac pacing particularly with implantable pacemakers. Based on clinical electrophysiology, various types of pacemakers are available at present: atrial triggered and atrial pacing pacemakers, AV-sequential pacemakers, ventricular demand-pacemakers, stand-by pacemakers, and fixed rate pacemakers. The multiprogrammability of newer pacemaker devices is a very useful tool in avoiding secondary interventions. For antitachycardia pacemaker therapy there are essentially three methods in use: 1. overdrive pacing to prevent re-entry phenomena and automaticity and also to suppress tachyarrhythmias based on increased or abnormal automaticity; 2. competitive stimulation for termination of tachycardias by means of single impulses; and 3. rapid atrial stimulation to convert atrial flutter into atrial fibrillation and consequently to normal sinus rhythm. In very rare cases rapid ventricular stimulation is mandatory. The positive results achieved with temporary stimulation methods have led to the development of permanent (implantable) antitachycardia pacemakers for long-term therapy, which have proven to be a low-risk alternative in drug-resistant tachyarrhythmias.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗
PubMed1982

Programmed chest-wall stimulation to evaluate the progress of A-V block after pacemaker insertion in patients with trifascicular disease.

Twenty six patients (aged 46-80, mean age 64) with bifascicular block in the presence of prolonged H-V interval (trifascicular block), were followed for an average of 31 months after inserting an R-wave inhibited pacemaker (PM) because of syncope and/or dizzy attacks. The underlying rhythm was evaluated at 4-6-month intervals by three different techniques: 1) 12-lead ECG when intrinsic patient rate was faster than PM rate; 2) abrupt PM inhibition (APMI) by the rapid chest-wall stimulation technique, and 3) progressive PM inhibition (PPMI) using a programmed chest-wall stimulation technique capable of decreasing the PM rate gradually to 30 beats/min before complete PM inhibition. In addition, the PPMI allowed the underlying rhythm to be induced and sustained and properly evaluated without any discomfort to the patient. Following PM insertion, 4 patients (15%) developed complete heart block after a mean follow-up of 43 months, and one patient (4%) developed 2nd degree 2:1 A-V block (VX) after 83 months. The P-R interval increased in 5 patients (19%) and decreased in 2 (8%). No change of A-V conduction was found in 9 patients (34%). Three patients developed low atrial rhythm, atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, respectively (12%). After PM insertion 2 patients still complained of dizziness. None reported syncope. Two patients died during follow-up, both of congestive heart failure (8%). By detection of intrinsic rhythm it was recognized that a long symptomatic paroxysmal phase may precede the development of chronic complete A-V block. Therefore, the insertion of a permanent PM is recommended in patients with unexplained neurologic symptoms and trifascicular disease, without waiting for documented episodes of complete A-V block.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

New developments for upper rate response in DDD pacing.

Although widely accepted as an effective method of dealing with rapid atrial rates in a DDD pacemaker, Wenckebach-type and multiblock-type upper rate behaviors may exacerbate pacemaker-mediated tachycardia through AV dissociation. In addition, pathologic atrial rates (e.g., atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, automatic atrial tachycardia, etc.) frequently result in ventricular pacing at inappropriately high rates. New, more sophisticated algorithms available in today's microprocessor-based DDD pacing systems provide the capability to discriminate successfully a normal atrial rate response to exercise from a pathologic atrial rate. These and other improved capabilities allow the clinician to provide safe rate-responsive pacing to patients in whom rate-responsive pacing was previously contraindicated.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed2000

Catheter ablation approach on the right side only for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation therapy: long-term results.

We report the long-term follow-up of a right side only catheter ablation approach for paroxysmal AF. Eighteen patients with AF refractory to drugs entered the study. Ablation was attempted in the right atrium only by creating linear lesions based on a specific design including from two to four linear lesions. Induction of AF was attempted before ablation and after placement of the lesions. A septal lesion was performed in nine patients. In ten patients atrial defibrillation thresholds (ADFTs) before ablation and following creation of the linear lesions were compared. After a mean follow-up of 22 +/- 11 months, seven patients had recurrence of AF, and another nine patients experienced atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia. Five patients remained in sinus rhythm without medications and four required the use of drugs. Three patients had sporadic AF and six were in chronic AF. The recurrence rate was similar in patients with and without the septal lesion. However, a cure with right side ablation appeared to be predicted by the presence of disorganized and earlier activity in the high right atrium and crista terminalis. Linear lesions in the right atrium were associated with a lower ADFT (pre 2.6 +/- 04 J vs post 1.7 +/- 0.6 J). In conclusion, in a small number of patients, control of AF can be obtained with a right side only approach. Certain activation patterns may identify patients suitable to this approach. No specific lesion pattern appeared more effective. Right atrial linear lesions resulted in lower ADFT.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed1997

Long-term follow-up of corridor operation for lone atrial fibrillation: evidence for progression of disease?

INTRODUCTION: Currently, surgery- and catheter-mediated ablation is applied when drug refractoriness of atrial fibrillation is evident, although little is known about the long-term incidence of new atrial arrhythmia and the preservation of sinus node function. METHODS AND RESULTS: To address this issue, 30 patients with successful corridor surgery for lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and normal preoperative sinus node function were followed in a single outpatient department. Five years after surgery, the actuarial proportion of patients with recurrence of atrial fibrillation arising in the corridor was 8% +/- 5%, with new atrial arrhythmias consisting of atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia in the corridor 27% +/- 8%, and with incompetent sinus node requiring pacing therapy 13% +/- 6%. Right atrial transport was preserved in 69% of the patients without recurrence of atrial fibrillation and normal sinus node function. Stroke was documented in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Corridor surgery for atrial fibrillation is a transient or palliative treatment instead of a definitive therapy for drug refractory atrial fibrillation. This observation strongly affects patient selection for this intervention and constitutes a word of caution for other, nonpharmacologic interventions for drug refractory atrial fibrillation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Predictors of atrial rhythm after atrioventricular node ablation for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the natural history of the atrial rhythm of patients with paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias undergoing atrioventricular node ablation and permanent pacemaker implantation. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients identified from the pacemaker database and electrophysiology records of a tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: 62 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias undergoing atrioventricular node ablation and permanent pacemaker implantation between 1988 and July 1996. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Atrial rhythm on final follow up ECG, classified as either ordered (sinus rhythm or atrial pacing) or disordered (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia). (2) Chronic atrial fibrillation, defined as a disordered rhythm on two consecutive ECGs (or throughout a 24 hour Holter recording) with no ordered rhythm subsequently documented. RESULTS: Survival analysis showed that 75% of patients progressed to chronic atrial fibrillation by 2584 days (86 months). On multiple logistic regression analysis a history of electrical cardioversion, increasing patient age, and VVI pacing were associated with the development of chronic atrial fibrillation. A history of electrical cardioversion and increasing patient age were associated with a disordered atrial rhythm on the final follow up ECG. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias are at high risk of developing chronic atrial fibrillation. A history of direct current cardioversion.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Modern management of arrhythmias.

The specialist management of arrhythmias has changed significantly over the past decade. This article outlines current management strategies for atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, with particular emphasis on curative strategies with catheter ablation and the recent data on rhythm compared with rate control strategies. The expanding role of catheter ablation in the treatment of a wide variety of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias is discussed. The current evidence for implantable cardioverter defibrillators in the prevention of sudden cardiac death is summarised. The article also highlights the increasing recognition of a number of inherited syndromes that predispose to sudden cardiac death (for example, Brugada and long QT syndromes).

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗
PubMed1976

Multilevel atrioventricular block.

Arrhythmias displaying conduction disturbances consistent with block at more than one level within the atrioventricular conduction system were seen in 36 patients during a two year period in a community hospital. Two levels of block were postulated in each patient; one patient also demonstrated a third level of block. In 24 patients (Type A), there was an integral conduction ratio at the upper level of block. This pattern was most frequently seen in atrial flutter (mean atrial rate 284 +/- 35 beats/min) with 2:1 block at the upper level and Wenckebach at the lower level. Progression to 2:1 block at the lower level resulted in 4:1 block. Twelve patients (Type B) had a nonintegral conduction ratio of their block at the upper level with a mean atrial rate of 162 +/- 62 beats/min. Their conduction patterns consisted of Wenckebach block at the upper level with either integral (2:1) or nonintegral (Wenckebach) block at the lower level. The presence of multilevel block was not related to specific etiological diagnoses, medications, or electrolyte patterns. It is suggested that multilevel block is a common, frequently transient, conduction pattern seen in a variety of clinical conditions. It is readily recognized from a standard electrocardiogram and, of itself, has no short-term detrimental prognostic implications.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Use of a 64 channel computerized cardiac mapping system in arrhythmia surgery.

A multipoint and computerized intraoperative mapping system has been known to be of value in improving the results of surgery for cardiac arrhythmia. It shows great potential as a new tool in the surgical intervention of the more common and lethal types of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias such as atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. In addition, it also enhances the ability of the investigators to map and ablate the sometimes fleeting automatic atrial tachycardia. The authors developed a 64 channel computerized cardiac mapping system using a microcomputer (Macintosh IIx) and this has been used for basic research in cardiac electrophysiology as well as in arrhythmia surgery. In this system, bipolar electrograms are obtained from 64 different cardiac sites simultaneously at a sampling rate of 1 Ksample/sec and with a continuous and total data storage of up to 30 seconds. When the reference electrode is selected, delay time from the reference point is displayed on a two dimensional diagram of the heart. This system was used in one patient who underwent a surgical ablation of a ventricular tachycardia in whom we observed a ventricular activation sequence involving a variety of rhythms over several minutes. The system design permits easy expansion to a simultaneous sampling from 256 sites. This 64-channel mapping appeared to have the potential to be of great help in our understanding of cardiac arrhythmia as well as in its diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed2000

[Catheter ablation of accessory pathways and atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia].

Radiofrequency current catheter ablation has gained acceptance as primary long-term therapy for patients with symptomatic accessory pathways and symptomatic atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with frequent recurrences. In both arrhythmias, curative treatment is possible in more than 90% of cases at a low complication rate although an incidence of about 1% complete AV block after slow pathway ablation has to be taken into account when this therapy is considered. The recurrence rate is 3-10% for accessory pathways and 0-15% for AVNRT. The high success rate of catheter ablation has already led to a shift in the indications for the procedure where the percentage of patients with accessory pathways is decreasing and there is an increase of patients with AVNRT and newer indications (atrial flutter, focal atrial tachycardias).

Catheter Ablation↗
PubMed1975

The acute phase of myocardial infarction.

During the acute phase of myocardial infarction, two groups of patients are observed. Patients in the first group have no significant complications, and approximately 95 per cent of these patients recover fully without any specific therapy. Patients in the second group may have various complications, some of which are benign, whereas others may lead to a fatal outcome. The complications may be divided into four major types: 1. Cardiac arrhythmias and conduction defects. The tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias are the most frequently encountered complications in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Tachyarrhythmias include ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation. Bradyarrhythmias include sinus and junctional bradycardia and various degrees of heart block. Those patients who are unable to reach a hospital and die suddenly presumably succumb to ventricular fibrillation. 2. Left ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. In more than 33 per cent of patients with acute myocardial infarction, a third heart sound and pulmonary rales may be heard. If they are present for only 24 hours, the physical findings may indicate an alteration of left ventricular failure. However, if they persist for a few days and disappear after medical therapy, mild left ventricular failure may be present. About 12 per cent of patients have acute pulmonary edema, and 10 per cent of patients develop cardiogenic shock. These two complications carry a high mortality rate (40 per cent and nearly 100 per cent respectively). 3. Rupture of the heart. Cardiac rupture may occur in the free wall, ventricular septum, and papillary muscles. These complications, although less frequently encountered, cause a number of deaths in patients with acute myocardial infarction. 4. Thromboembolism. Under this category are included pulmonary embolism, systemic arterial embolism, and systemic venous thrombosis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

[Severe ibutilide-induced arrhythmia in patients with heart failure].

BACKGROUND: Ibutilide is a novel class III antiarrhythmic agent used for the termination of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. It mainly affects membrane potassium currents (IKr) and prolongs the cardiac action potential. This effect is reflected as QT-interval prolongation in the ECG. Drugs that affect IKr-currents are known to cause malignant ventricular arrhythmia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report three patients with heart failure where ibutilide triggered malignant ventricular arrhythmias (sustained torsades de pointes). RESULTS: All patients experienced dramatic haemodynamic deterioration. One patient died because of sustained arrhythmia. Mode of action for ibutilide is described. Precautions that should be observed when using ibutilide are outlined. INTERPRETATION: Ibutilide is contraindicated in patients with heart failure and should be used with caution in patients with ischaemic heart disease or previous myocardial infarction. Ibutilide-induced ventricular arrhythmias may be particularly difficult to treat in patients with heart failure.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Surgical treatment of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias using laser].

Much importance is attached lately to the use of lasers in surgical treatment of tachyarrhythmias. The advantages of the laser radiation are as follows: the possibility of using it on a contracting heart, its exact and selective effect, infliction of even damages in preservation of the structure, reduction of damage to the myocardium as a whole. At the Bakulev Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, USSR AMS, 52 operations were carried out in the management of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias by laser radiation: 27 operations for laser isolation of the atrioventricular node, 15 operations for laser isolation of the atria and bases of the pulmonary veins (11 in combination with laser isolation of the atrioventricular node), 3 operations for ablation of ectopic foci in the atria and ventricles, 4 operations for ablation of the bundle of His, and 3 operations for removal of Maheim's nodoventricular tract. Among the patients who were operated on, 12 had atrial flutter, 21--atrial fibrillation, 11--paroxysmal atrioventricular nodal tachycardia, 5--ectopic supraventricular tachycardia, and 3 patients had paroxysmal tachycardia due to the presence of Maheim's nodoventricular tract. The method of laser isolation of the atrioventricular node was developed. It is performed on a working heart under conditions of normothermal extracorporeal circulation by Nd-YAG laser radiation under electrophysiological control. Antegrade conductivity was reduced to 420-510 msec. Among 56 patients who underwent operation 39 had sinus rhythm, 10 had Degree II-III block, and 7 patients had a recurrence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Mechanisms of atrial remodeling and clinical relevance.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atrial fibrillation usually occurs in the context of an atrial substrate produced by alterations in atrial tissue properties referred to as remodeling. Remodeling can result from cardiac disease, cardiac arrhythmias, or biologic processes such as senescence. Recent advances in understanding remodeling have allowed for insights into mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation that have been transferred from experimental models to humans. This paper reviews recent progress in understanding atrial remodeling, as well as the consequent clinical insights into atrial fibrillation pathophysiology and treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: Two principal forms of remodeling have been described in animal models of atrial fibrillation: ionic remodeling, which affects cellular electrical properties, and structural remodeling, which alters atrial tissue architecture. Atrial tachycardias (particularly rapid tachyarrhythmias such as atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation) cause ionic remodeling, which decreases the atrial refractory period and promotes atrial reentry. Congestive heart failure produces atrial interstitial fibrosis, which promotes arrhythmogenesis by interfering with atrial conduction properties. Recent animal studies have provided insights into the pathways involved in remodeling, and have indicated the pathophysiological role of remodeling in specific contexts. In addition, work in animal models has provided information about pharmacological interventions that can prevent the development of remodeling. Clinical studies have shown that novel approaches to remodeling prevention identified in animal work have potential therapeutic value in man. SUMMARY: Understanding atrial remodeling has the potential to improve our appreciation of the pathophysiology of clinical atrial fibrillation and to allow for the development of useful new therapeutic approaches.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1992

[Clinical and electrophysiological indications for surgical treatment in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome].

20 patients with WPW syndrome and recurrent tachyarrhythmias were studied clinically and electrophysiologically. The localization and electrophysiological properties of accessory pathways and other heart structures were estimated before the surgical treatment. 13 patients (pts) suffered syncope in the course of atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation with heart rate greater than 300/min, often proceeding into ventricular fibrillation or atrioventricular tachycardia greater than 260/min, which sometimes proceeds into atrial/ventricular fibrillation. 6 pts experienced dizziness or fainted during tachyarrhythmias or rhythm changes. In 15 pts antiarrhythmic drugs in monotherapy or various combinations did not prevent recurrence of tachyarrhythmias. In 4 of 5 other pts only amiodarone was effective but the drug was discontinued due to serious adverse effects. The lack of good effect of antiarrhythmic drug therapy can be based on mutually unfavorable electrophysiologic properties of the accessory pathways and other heart structures. Pts who experienced syncope had a particularly short effective refractory period (ERP) of the accessory pathways in ante- and retro-grade direction and short ERP of the ventricle muscle. Additionally, there were multiple accessory pathways, heart muscle impairement and frequent ventricular premature beats--factors triggering the tachyarrhythmias.

Adolescent↗