Is there an evidence of pulmonary vein stenosis following epicardial microwave ablation of atrial fibrillation?
GROUND: Surgical ablation techniques using microwave energy are an alternative to catheter based ablation therapy in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, little is known about potential procedure-related complications. We investigate, whether there is evidence of pulmonary vein stenosis (PVST) in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing epicardial microwave ablation. METHODS: 14 patients (ten males and four females) with AF and structural heart disease underwent cardiac surgery for the underlying disease and concomitant ablation of AF using microwave energy. In these patients with a mean age of 71 +/- 8 years microwave energy was applied epicardially on the beating heart. Ablation was implemented using a flexible microwave tool with a 40 mm long tip to create isolation of the pulmonary veins. Each application was performed with 65 watt for 90 s. Follow-up was performed twice at a mean of 207 +/- 73 days and 395 +/- 102 days. Patients were evaluated by 12-lead-ECG and
Related Questions
- Im getting by with my Atrial Fibrillation. With the recent improvements in Pulmonary Vein ablation techniques, should I wait till a better technique is developed?
- I have serious heart problems and chronic heart disease along with Atrial Fibrillation. Would a Pulmonary Vein Ablation help me?
- What is an atrial fibrillation ablation or a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure?
