Epicardial Connections Between the Pulmonary Veins and Left Atrium: Relevance for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Abstract

Twenty percent of patients with atrial fibrillation had ECs resistant to ostial ablation in one or more pulmonary veins. Isolating veins with ECs may require a different ablation approach. These connections are associated with an increased rate of early recurrence of conduction. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 149-159, February 2011).