User: Guest  Login
Title:

Effects of circumferential or segmental pulmonary vein ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on cardiac autonomic function.

Document type:
Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Article
Author(s):
Bauer, A; Deisenhofer, I; Schneider, R; Zrenner, B; Barthel, P; Karch, M; Wagenpfeil, S; Schmitt, C; Schmidt, G
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Circumferential and segmental pulmonary vein ablations are two established treatment strategies for ablation of atrial fibrillation. Both techniques require the application of radiofrequency current at anatomical sites that are close to autonomic ganglia. However, the effects of current pulmonary vein ablation techniques on cardiac autonomic function are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the short- and long-term effects of circumferential and segmental pulmonary vein ablation on cardiac autonomic function. METHODS: One hundred patients with highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation were randomly assigned to undergo either circumferential or segmental pulmonary vein ablation. Holter recordings were recorded at baseline and at regular intervals for up to 1 year after ablation. Autonomic function was assessed by deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity of heart rate as well as by standard measures of heart rate variability. RESULTS: In the circumferential pulmonary vein ablation group, deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity decreased highly significantly from 5.7 +/- 2.1 ms and -8.0 +/- 1.9 ms at baseline to 3.3 +/- 1.8 ms and -5.5 +/- 2.3 ms directly after ablation, respectively (P<.00001). Impairment of deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity was present up to 1 year after ablation. In the segmental pulmonary vein ablation group, deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity decreased from 5.8 +/- 2.0 ms and -7.8 +/- 1.6 ms at baseline to 3.4 +/- 1.2 ms and -6.0 +/- 2.4 ms directly after ablation (P<.00001), respectively. However, deceleration capacity and acceleration capacity returned to baseline values within 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential and segmental pulmonary vein ablations induce an immediate decrease of autonomic function. However, while this decrease is only transient with segmental pulmonary vein ablation, it persists with circumferential pulmonary vein ablation for at least 1 year.
Journal title abbreviation:
Heart Rhythm
Year:
2006
Journal volume:
3
Journal issue:
12
Pages contribution:
1428-35
Language:
eng
Fulltext / DOI:
doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2006.08.025
Pubmed ID:
http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17161785
Print-ISSN:
1547-5271
TUM Institution:
I. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik (Kardiologie); Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Epidemiologie
 BibTeX