BACKGROUND High rates of success using radiofrequency ablation energy have rapidly transformed catheter ablation from an investigational procedure to the nonpharmacological therapy of choice for symptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Prior studies of radiofrequency accessory pathway ablation were based on a ventricular approach. Risks associated with prolonged arterial catheter manipulatio...

AIMS Studies have shown that remote magnetic navigation is safe and effective for ablation of atrial arrhythmias, although optimal outcomes often require frequent manual manipulation of a circular mapping catheter. The Vdrive robotic system ('Vdrive') was designed for remote navigation of circular mapping catheters to enable a fully remote procedure. This study details the first human clinical ...

Lead dislocation is one of the most undesired complications of permanent pacemaker implantation. The rate of dislodgement of atrial pacing leads is nearly 3% [1]. Reopening the pacemaker pocket and repositioning the lead is the most commonly used technique for correcting dislocations which occur in the early period after implantation. However, this increases the risk of pocket infection and inc...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. Invasive catheter ablation of AF has emerged as an effective therapy for patients with symptomatic AF. Atrial remodeling, particularly structural remodeling, is important not only for AF persistence but also for AF recurrence after ablation. Atrial dilation and fibrosis are two o...

A 64-year-old man manifested a stroke two years after restoration of sinus rhythm through a radiofrequency catheter ablation. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated the presence of a thrombus in the left atrial appendage. Left atrial volumes and different parameters of atrial emptying showed that, despite the persistence of the sinus rhythm, atrial mechanical function was severely impair...

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is recommended with increasing frequency as part of a treatment regimen for both paroxysmal and persistent forms of symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), largely because of the relatively poor efficacy of antiarrhythmic medications1 and trials showing improvement in quality of life and reduction in AF in selected patients.2 The ongoing Catheter Ablation Versus A...

[1] Phan K, Yan TD. Minimally invasive Cox-maze procedure, beating-heart epicardial ablation, hybrid procedure and catheter ablation: a call for comparative evidence. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2015;48:515. [2] Je HG, Shuman DJ, Ad N. A systematic review of minimally invasive surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation: a comparison of the Cox-Maze procedure, beating-heart epicardial ablation, and ...

BACKGROUND Accessory pathways originating at the tricuspid annulus that exhibit decremental antegrade conduction properties (Mahaim-type preexcitation) are amenable to radiofrequency (RF) current catheter ablation. However, a reliable and reproducible strategy for mapping and ablation of these fibers is lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS Eleven patients with preexcited atrioventricular tachycardia ...

BACKGROUND The mechanisms of atrial fibrillation (AF) are highly divergent. The prevalence of AF increases significantly with age, and underling mechanisms might vary with age. Endothelial dysfunction may be associated with AF and atrial arrhythmia recurrence after catheter ablation. We tested the hypothesis that the impact of endothelial dysfunction on arrhythmia recurrence following catheter ...

Catheter ablation has emerged as an important therapy for the management of drug refractory symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the elderly account for the majority of patients with AF, limited data exists regarding the use of catheter ablation for elderly patients with AF. As AF ablation has become more widespread, ablation techniques have improved and the ...