RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has emerged as an important strategy in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The two most frequently used techniques are segmental PVI and left atrial circumferential ablation. AIM: To describe and discuss pulmonary vein antrum isolation guided by phased-array intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) as an alternative approach, and to present initial results. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic AF were included. The antra (the larger circumferential area around the PVs) were isolated guided by ICE. ICE was also used to titrate the ablation energy. RESULTS: 38 patients (3 with persistent AF) were included. Of the 35 patients with paroxysmal AF, 24 are without recurrences, and in six the incidence of paroxysms was significantly reduced after one procedure and a mean follow-up of 201 days. No major complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary vein antrum isolation guided by ICE is a promising technique in AF ablation and has the potential to avoid severe complications.
