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Atrial fibrillation and its determinants after radiofrequency ablation of chronic common atrial flutter
Stéphane Cade1, Shahine Sedighian, Agustin Bortone
1Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Montpellier, France.
Insights
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) incidence increases post-atrial flutter ablation. Prior AFib history significantly predicts occurrence, necessitating closer monitoring and potentially extended anticoagulation for high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a significant clinical concern.
- AFib occurrence post-atrial flutter ablation impacts therapeutic strategies.
- Long-term AFib incidence after ablation remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze determinants of AFib after radiofrequency catheter ablation for chronic common atrial flutter.
- To investigate the time course of AFib development post-ablation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 89 patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for chronic common atrial flutter.
- Mean follow-up of 38 months.
- Assessment of AFib occurrence, time to onset, and association with prior AFib history and structural heart disease.
Main Results:
- AFib occurrence progressively increased to 32.9% by end of follow-up.
- Median time to AFib occurrence was 8 months.
- Prior AFib history (P=0.01) was a significant predictor, unlike underlying heart disease (P=n.s.). AFib did not occur in patients without prior AFib history.
Conclusions:
- AFib incidence rises progressively after chronic common atrial flutter ablation.
- Patients with prior AFib history represent a high-risk group.
- Mandatory closer monitoring and potential prolonged anticoagulation are recommended for these patients.
Aim:
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a major clinical issue and its occurrence is the main problem after catheter ablation of atrial flutter. The long-term occurrence of AFib after common atrial flutter ablation is still matter of debate as it may influence the therapeutic approach. So, the aim of our study was to analyze the determinants and the time course of AFib after radiofrequency catheter ablation of chronic common atrial flutter.
Methods And Result:
89 consecutive patients (67.5 +/- 12.0 yrs) underwent RF ablation of chronic common atrial flutter. 38.2 % had previous history of paroxysmal AFib. 51% had no underlying structural heart disease. Over a mean follow-up of 38 +/- 13 months, the occurrence rate of AFib progressively increased up to 32.9% at the end of follow-up. The median occurrence time for AFib was 8 months. AFib occurrence was significantly associated with previous AFib history (P=0.01) but not with the presence of underlying heart disease (P=n.s.). Of particular interest, in our study, AFib never occurred in patients without previous AFib history. Palpitations after chronic common atrial flutter ablation was mostly related to AFib.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, after chronic common atrial flutter ablation, AFib incidence progressively increased over the follow-up in all patients. Patients with prior AFib history appeared to be a very high risk group. In these patients, closer monitoring is mandatory and the persistent risk of AFib recurrences may justify prolonged anticoagulation policy.
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