Trial:  Prevalence and Severity of Left Atrial Edema Detected by Electron Bean Tomography Early After Pulmonary Vein Ablation

Authors: Okada T; Yamada T; Murakami Y;  Yoshida N; Ninomiya Y; Shimizu T; Toyama J; Yoshida Y; Ito T; Tsuboi N; Kondo T; Inden Y; Hirai M; and Murohara T.

Reference: J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49:1436-42

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and severity of left atrial edema after pulmonary vein ablation as well as its effect on cardiac function.

Number of Patients:  77

Number of Centers: 5

Design:  Multi-center prospective

Authors Conclusion:  Left atrial edema was present in a large proportion of patients immediately following pulmonary vein ablation. The severity of edema, number of lesions and amount of energy delivered was greater in patients undergoing circumferential LA ablation than in those undergoing pulmonary vein isolation. The edema was transient and did not reduce cardiac function.

Key words:  Ablation, Atrial Fibrillation

Comment: This study used serial electron-beam CT scan, as well as transthoracic echocardiograms to evaluate patients undergoing pulmonary vein ablation.  The study demonstrated a higher degree of left atrial edema in patients undergoing circumferential LA ablation than those undergoing pulmonary vein isolation.  Those patients undergoing circumferential LA ablation had a larger number of lesions delivered, as well as a higher total RF energy delivery than did those patients who received pulmonary vein isolation.  In all cases, LA edema had dissappeared within 3 months of the procedures.

Ongoing Related Studies

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2. Clinical and Economic Consequence of Left Atrial Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
3. A Prospectice Multi Centre Trial on Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
4. Curing Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure
5. First Line Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Antiarrhythmic Drugs for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment (The RAAFT Study)
6. Randomized Trial of Two Different Straegies to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
7. Efficacy of Different Ablation Strategies for Controlling Atrial Fibrillation
8. Medtronic Concomitant Utilization of Radaio Frequency for Atrial Fibrillation CURE-AF/Peristent
9. Concomitant Utilization of Radio Frequency Energy for Atrial Fibrillation (CURE-AF) Study
10. RF Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
11. A Study of the Effectiveness of Anti-Arrhythmic Medications After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
12. Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Device Comparison Study
13. NA VISTAR® THERMOCOOL® Cathether for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
14. CACAF2 Study: Catheter Ablation for Cure of Atrial Fibrillation

Summary written by Eric Grubman, MD