Prevention of atrial fibrillation by complete compartmentalization of the left atrium using a catheter technique.

INTRODUCTION Right atrial compartmentalization has been demonstrated to only reduce the number of atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes; left atrial (LA) fibrillation still occurs. METHODS AND RESULTS We report successful LA compartmentalization resulting in isolation of all four pulmonary veins in a 51-year-old woman suffering from paroxysmal AF. Deployment of a complete encircling line resulted in dissociation of electrical activation within the isolated area from the remaining LA. Despite attempts at reinduction by pacing maneuvers inside and outside the isolated area, AF was no longer inducible. During 21-week follow-up, the patient remained in stable sinus rhythm with rare atrial extrasystoles. CONCLUSION If reproducible, this ablation strategy could allow treatment of AF independent of suppression of any triggering event.