ABSTRACT
The Long-term Thromboembolic Event Analysis in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Objective: To observe the thromboembolic event in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with long-term successful radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), and to study the relationship between thromboembolic event and CHA2DS2-VASC score in order to guide the anticoagulation strategy for AF patients. Methods: A total of 321 AF patients who received RFCA in our hospital from 2000-01 to 2009-05 were studied. There were 261 patients with paroxysmal AF and 60 with persistent AF, they were followed-up for (66.7±26.9) months. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to AF recurrence condition as Non-recurrence group, n=204 and Recurrence group, n=117. The relationship between thromboembolic event and CHA2DS2-VASC score was studied. Results: The Non-recurrence group had significantly lower rate of thromboembolism than that in Recurrence group (1.96% vs 7.69%), P=0.017. In both groups, the patients with CHA2DS2-VASC score Conclusion: The AF patients who received RFCA without AF recurrence in long-term follow-up had the lower rate of thromboembolic event, CHA2DS2-VASC score was important for evaluating such event. The patients with CHA2DS2-VASC score < 2 could consider stopping warfarin anticoagulation, while the patients with CHA2DS2-VASC score ≥ 2 might be beneifted for warfarin anticoagulation.
ABSTRACT
Primary success rate of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy has been reported lower than that of conventional cedure. Gradual stenosis of mucosal ostium would progress until 6 to 10 months following operation and a longterm follow-up should be necessary. Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy was performed in 100 patients[118 eyes]between July 1993 and March 1998 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine. After the follow-up period of 1 to 4 years[average 16.2 months], longterm success rate, postoperative omplications, and factors to affect success rate were studied. The success rate of primary operation was 89.83%, and the success rate after secondary revision of the ostium was up to 99.15%. Granulation tissue formation was the most common postoperative complication, and other complications included protrusion of silicone tube, membranous obstruction, partial obstruction of common canaliculus, canaliculitis and prolapse of orbital fat. Factors to obtain good success rate were careful and acurate surgical technique to achieve large mucosal ostium, postoperative management, antibiotics and steroid medication, etc. Long-term surgical efficacy of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy was similar to skin approach and secondary success rate following revision was very satisfactory.