A recent study involving participants in the Framingham Heart Study concluded that a high white blood cell (WBC) count is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Oxidative stress has been implicated as a major factor in the development and promotion of atrial fibrillation (AF). The main reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in causing oxidative stress are the superoxide anion...

Prof. Haissaguerre and colleagues in Bordeaux, France discovered in 1998 that paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) was triggered by ectopic activity in the pulmonary veins.

Despite significant, recent improvements in catheter ablation strategies to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), recurrence remains a continuing concern.

Most catheter ablation procedures use radiofrequency (RF) energy to create the lesions isolating the pulmonary veins (PVs) from the left atrium.

Ablations aimed at curing cardiac arrhythmias are traditionally performed using fluoroscopy to guide catheter placement. This exposes the patient, physician and staff to a not insignificant...

Since 1998 when Prof. Haissaguerre and colleagues in Bordeaux discovered that 94% of AF episodes are triggered by impulses originating in the pulmonary veins...

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an approximately 1% risk of procedure-related ischemic stroke. The risk arises from the formation of blood clots...

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an approximately 1% risk of procedure-related ischemic stroke. The risk arises from the formation of blood clots...

Radiofrequency-powered catheter ablation with the intent of curing atrial fibrillation (AF) involves the creation of lesions on the inside of heart tissue, primarily as rings encircling the areas...

It is becoming increasingly clear that about 15 to 50% of afibbers undergoing catheter ablation will need two or, in rare cases, more than two procedures in order to achieve...

Initial complete success rates (no AF, no antiarrhythmics) for catheter ablation at high-volume centers average between 50 and 60% at the 1-year follow-up. The main cause...

A radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) creates a significant amount of scar tissue. An important question is does this scar tissue impair the function of the left atrium?

Between 20 and 50% of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure requires one or more follow-up procedures in order to achieve the goal...

It is becoming increasingly clear that as many as 30 to 50% of afibbers undergoing a radiofrequency catheter ablation will need a repeat procedure. What is not clear is the optimal timing of the second...

Catheter ablations for atrial fibrillation (AF) are usually performed with the patient under conscious sedation, that is, awake, but sedated to minimize pain and movement during the procedure.

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an approximately 1% risk of procedure-related ischemic stroke. The risk arises from the formation of blood clots...

Catheter ablation involves a fine balance between creating an effective electrical barrier and avoiding complications such as pericardial tamponade, stroke or TIA...

Anticoagulation during catheter ablation needs to be precisely controlled. Too little anticoagulant (usually heparin) and blood clots may form on the catheter or sheaths...

There is ample evidence that right atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexist in the same patient. Although the patient may only have symptoms of one of the arrhythmias...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common adverse effect following cardiac surgery. It is estimated that between 30 and 60% of patients are affected and that 10-year mortality is up to 48%...

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is used successfully in the treatment of prostate cancer. Early trials also found it effective in the ablation of atrial fibrillation.

The three most commonly used procedures for isolation of aberrant electrical impulses originating in the pulmonary veins are...

In 1998 Profs. Haissaguerre and Jais at Hopital Cardiologique du Haut Leveque in Bordeaux discovered that the most common sites of ectopic beats...

The pulmonary veins are the most important sources of "rogue" cells triggering atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes. Thus, they are routinely isolated...

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the most common catheter ablation procedure performed in as effort to cure atrial fibrillation (AF). Originally, PVI was performed...

The use of robotic systems for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and other cardiac arrhythmias has been under development for several years.

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is now the standard procedure for dealing with paroxysmal and persistent AF. In many cases, a PVI by itself is enough to eliminate...

Having been in permanent atrial fibrillation for an extended period is associated with a poorer outcome of catheter ablation. Japanese cardiologists/electrophysiologists...

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) on its own is not very effective in eliminating persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation. In order to achieve a reasonable rate of success...

Common atrial flutter (AFL) originates in the right atrium between the tricuspid valve and the crista terminalis. Because the location of the AFL-associated macroreentrant...

The average complete success rate (no AF, no antiarrhythmics) for 729 initial ablation procedures evaluated in the 2008 Ablation/Maze Survey was 50%...

It is now common practice to perform transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on patients scheduled to undergo catheter ablation with the intent of curing...

The recurrence of afib or flutter following a pulmonary vein ablation (PVI) procedure is not uncommon, especially during the 3 months post-procedure.

A catheter ablation for the purpose of curing atrial fibrillation (AF) involves the creation of extensive scar tissue in the left atrium. An obvious question is...

Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is defined as episodes lasting longer than seven days but amenable to cardioversion to normal sinus rhythm. Persistent AF...

Success rates for catheter ablations aimed at curing atrial fibrillation vary widely and depend almost entirely on the skill and experience of the electrophysiologist...

Paroxysmal (intermittent) atrial fibrillation (PAF) is the most common form of AF affecting about 80% of the afib population. The triggers...

As more complex forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) are tackled with catheter ablation the incidence of post-procedure atrial tachycardia (AT) is increasing.

Dr. Warren Jackman and his group at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center present an excellent overview of the history of...

Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, flutter or tachycardia) is common following a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure, but does...

The Holy Grail of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures is to consistently achieve complete elimination of afib in one hour or less. Many approaches have...

When the pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure was first introduced it was common practice to place the lesion rings just inside...

Although the success of antiarrhythmic drugs in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) leaves a lot to be desired, it is generally accepted that therapy with....

It is well established that patients with atrial flutter (AFL) treated with drugs are at high risk for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). It is not clear, however...

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation among individuals 75 years or older is about 15%. Clearly it is important to answer the question...

In 1998 Professor Michel Haissaguerre at the Hopital Cardiologique du Haut Leveque in Bordeaux reported that paroxysmal atrial...

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of common right atrial flutter (cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent – CTI) is a comparatively simple procedure...

The Stereotaxis Niobe system is a magnetically-guided, remotely-controlled system for performing radiofrequency (RF) ablation. It is usually combined with the CartoMerge...

The accidental creation of a fistula (hole) between the back wall of the left atrium and the esophagus is a rare but often fatal complication of pulmonary vein ablation.

The success of a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation depends on the location and quality of the lesions (burns) imparted during the procedure.

Currently radiofrequency (RF) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures employ 2 or 3 separate catheters for mapping, ablating and guidance.

Success rates for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) vary widely and depend primarily on the skill and experience of the electrophysiologist (EP) performing the ablation.

It is common practice for electrophysiologists doing pulmonary vein isolations (PVIs) to check the quality of their work by using burst pacing to try to induce atrial fibrillation...

By far the majority of atrial fibrillation triggers are located in or around the pulmonary veins making pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and pulmonary vein antrum isolation...