TY - JOUR
T1 - Complete Right Atrial Ablation With Bipolar Radiofrequency
AU - Benussi, Stefano
AU - Galanti, Andrea
AU - Nascimbene, Simona
AU - Fumero, Andrea
AU - Dorigo, Enrica
AU - Zerbi, Valerio
AU - Alfieri, Ottavio
PY - 2009/5
Y1 - 2009/5
N2 - Purpose: Although it is deemed important, right atrial ablation is not considered feasible with bipolar radiofrequency alone. Normally, unipolar devices are used to complete the tricuspid connecting lines. We describe a simple technique to achieve a complete maze-like set of right ablations using a standard bipolar radiofrequency device. Description: Thirty-four patients underwent concomitant ablation with a right set of lines performed using bipolar radiofrequency only. The epicardium adjacent to the right atriotomy was entered and after separating the sulcus fat from the atrial wall, the deepest portion of the atrioventricular groove was developed bluntly with the scissors down to the tricuspid annulus. The tricuspid connecting lines were then performed with bipolar radiofrequency in an endo-epicardial fashion. Evaluation: No ablation-related complications occurred. No patient died. Three patients required pacemaker implantation. At a mean follow-up of 8 ± 5, 85% of the patients were free from arrhythmias. At 6 months 20 of 24 patients (83%) were in stable sinus rhythm. Conclusions: All the maze III right atrial ablations can be performed using a bipolar radiofrequency device alone. The procedure is safe and easily reproducible on a regular basis.
AB - Purpose: Although it is deemed important, right atrial ablation is not considered feasible with bipolar radiofrequency alone. Normally, unipolar devices are used to complete the tricuspid connecting lines. We describe a simple technique to achieve a complete maze-like set of right ablations using a standard bipolar radiofrequency device. Description: Thirty-four patients underwent concomitant ablation with a right set of lines performed using bipolar radiofrequency only. The epicardium adjacent to the right atriotomy was entered and after separating the sulcus fat from the atrial wall, the deepest portion of the atrioventricular groove was developed bluntly with the scissors down to the tricuspid annulus. The tricuspid connecting lines were then performed with bipolar radiofrequency in an endo-epicardial fashion. Evaluation: No ablation-related complications occurred. No patient died. Three patients required pacemaker implantation. At a mean follow-up of 8 ± 5, 85% of the patients were free from arrhythmias. At 6 months 20 of 24 patients (83%) were in stable sinus rhythm. Conclusions: All the maze III right atrial ablations can be performed using a bipolar radiofrequency device alone. The procedure is safe and easily reproducible on a regular basis.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.12.019
DO - 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.12.019
M3 - Article
C2 - 19379909
AN - SCOPUS:64649103280
VL - 87
SP - 1573
EP - 1576
JO - Annals of Thoracic Surgery
JF - Annals of Thoracic Surgery
SN - 0003-4975
IS - 5
ER -