Remarkable oxygen consumption improvement after auricular flutter ablation in a patient with constrictive pericarditis and severe mitral stenosis.

Atrial function is a key factor in cardiac output and oxygen consumption (VO2). Substantial improvements in VO2 have been reported after restoring sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, there are no published data on how atrial function affects VO2 in patients with both constrictive pericarditis (CP) and severe mitral stenosis (MS). A 53-year-old caucasian patient consulted for exacerbated heart failure (EHF). His medical record lists ischemic heart disease, severe MS, and CP after thoracic radiotherapy. The electrocardiogram showed atrial flutter (AFL) with controlled ventricular rate. Normal left ventricular ejection fraction was observed. Ergospirometry showed an impaired maximum VO2 (VO2 max) of 6 ml/kg/min. On the electrophysiological study typical AFL was diagnosed and ablated achieving a great exercise capacity improvement, correlated with an increase of VO2 max to 16 ml/kg/min a week after ablation, and disappearance of EHF symptoms. This case illustrates how restoration of SR resulted in a clinical substantial improvement. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is warranted as the most effective option in this context. .

Safety and feasibility of catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia without fluoroscopic guidance.

BACKGROUND: Nonfluoroscopic intracardiac navigation systems reduce the dose of radiation in most ablation procedures. However, they have not been sufficiently studied as a sole guidance tool for electrode catheter handling. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the feasibility and safety of catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) without the use of fluoroscopy. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled all of the patients with AVNRT (Group A) treated by catheter ablation guided only by a nonfluoroscopic intracardiac navigation system. These patients were compared with a matched control group of patients (Group B) who had undergone an ablation procedure for AVNRT guided only by fluoroscopy in the preceding months. We compared the success rate and the rate of complications and recurrences. We also compared the procedure and radiofrequency times. RESULTS: Fifty patients were enrolled in each group. The procedure was successful in 100% in Group A versus 96% in Group B (P = .15). One patient in Group A and 4 patients in Group B suffered nonserious complications (P = NS). The mean fluoroscopy time in Group B was 18 +/- 16 min (range 3.5 to 77, total 924). In 1 case in Group A (2%), the use of fluoroscopy was required. Procedure and radiofrequency times did not differ between the 2 groups. A recurrence developed in 2 patients in each group (P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation for AVNRT without fluoroscopic guidance is feasible and safe, and does not prolong procedure time. The reduction in radiation dose is considerable for patients and professionals.