Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial arrhythmias. Results and mechanisms.

Abstract

Ablation of automatic and reentrant atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter had a high success rate and caused no complications from energy application. Repeat procedures may be required for long-term success, especially in patients with atrial flutter. The mechanism by which ablation is successful is similar for atrial flutter and other forms of atrial reentry and involves severing a critical isthmus of slow conduction bounded by anatomic or structural obstacles. Automatic arrhythmias are abolished by directing lesions at the focus of abnormal impulse formation.