Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation using argon-based cryoablation during concomitant cardiac procedures.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The development of ablative energy sources has simplified the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) during concomitant cardiac procedures. We report our results using argon-based endocardial cryoablation for the treatment of AF in patients undergoing concomitant cardiac procedures.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Sixty-three patients with AF who were undergoing concomitant cardiac procedures had the same left atrial endocardial lesion set using a flexible argon-based cryoablative device. Mean age was 65.1+/-1.3 years. Sixty-two percent had permanent AF, whereas 38% had paroxysmal AF. Mean duration of AF was 30.5+/-4.8 months. Mean left atrial diameter was 5.5+/-0.1 cm. Mean ejection fraction was 45+/-1.4%. All endocardial lesions were performed for 1 minute once tissue temperature reached -40 degrees C. Follow-up echocardiograms were obtained to determine freedom from AF. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated an 88.5% freedom from AF rate at 12 months. Ablation time was 16.8+/-0.6 minutes. There were no in-hospital deaths and no strokes. Twelve patients (19%) required postoperative permanent pacemaker placement.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cryoablation using this flexible argon-based device for the treatment of AF during concomitant cardiac procedures was safe and effective, with 88.5% of patients free from AF at 12 months.

• Authors: Charles A Mack, Federico Milla, Wilson Ko, Leonard N Girardi, Leonard Y Lee, Anthony J Tortolani, Justin Mascitelli, Karl H Krieger, O Wayne Isom
• Journal: Circulation (Circulation) Vol. 112 Issue 9 Suppl Pg. I1-6 (Aug 30 2005) ISSN: 1524-4539 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16159799 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Argon

Topics

• Aged
• Argon
• Atrial Fibrillation (complications, surgery)
• Cardiac Surgical Procedures
• Cryosurgery (instrumentation, methods)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Heart Valve Diseases (complications, surgery)
• Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
• Humans
• Life Tables
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pacemaker, Artificial
• Postoperative Care
• Prospective Studies
• Pulmonary Veins (surgery)
• Treatment Outcome