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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
28:13
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Atrial flutter: lessons from surgical interventions (musing on atrial flutter mechanism)
G M Guiraudon1, G J Klein, N van Hemel
1Department of Surgery, London Health Sciences Center, Ontario, Canada.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Direct surgical ablation effectively treats common atrial flutter by targeting the right atrial macroreentrant circuit. Most patients achieved freedom from arrhythmias post-procedure, demonstrating a successful surgical approach.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Common atrial flutter is a significant arrhythmia often requiring intervention.
- Understanding the underlying circuit is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct surgical ablation for common atrial flutter.
- To investigate the electrophysiological substrate of common atrial flutter using intraoperative mapping.
Main Methods:
- Seven patients with problematic common flutter underwent direct surgical ablation.
- Intraoperative mapping was performed in four patients.
- Surgical techniques included right atrial incision, epicardial, and endocardial cryoablation of the isthmus.
Main Results:
- No immediate postoperative complications were observed.
- Six out of seven patients remained free of arrhythmias without antiarrhythmic drugs.
- One patient developed atrial fibrillation postoperatively and required a subsequent procedure.
Conclusions:
- Direct surgical ablation is an effective treatment for common atrial flutter.
- The common form of atrial flutter is associated with a right atrial macroreentrant circuit.
- Intraoperative mapping may reveal variant circuits in atypical flutter forms.
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