Electrosurgical treatment of atrial fibrillation with a new intraoperativeradiofrequency ablation catheter

Background: To assess the efficacy of a new catheter for intraoperative rad iofrequency ablation. Methods: We operated 35 mitral patients with atrial f ibrillation of which 27 had chronic atrial fibrillation with a mean duratio n of 8 +/- 6 years. Most patients were in functional class III or IV. All p atients were operated under cardiopulmonary bypass using sternotomy in 29 p atients, Fight thoracotomy in 5 and left thoracotomy in 1. Results: Bilater al pulmonary vein isolation with radiofrequency catheter ablation was achie ved in 7 +/- 4 minutes. There was no mortality or morbidity. Out of the 27 patients with one to three months follow-up 60% were out of atrial fibrilla tion and 48% had both atria contracting (scores 3 and 4). A longer time is required to assess the end result of these techniques, because the complete healing of the ablation lesions takes 3 to 6 months. Conclusions: We concl ude that with appropriate tools and settings the use of intraoperative radi ofrequency catheter ablation is fast, safe and effective. Its indications c an be extended to other types of atrial fibrillation patients.