Prevention of atrial fibrillation by complete compartmentalization of the left atrium using a catheter technique

Introduction: Right atrial compartmentalization has been demonstrated to on ly reduce the number of atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes; left atrial (LA) fibrillation still occurs. Methods and Results: We report successful LA compartmentalization resulting in isolation of all four pulmonary veins in a 51-year-old woman suffering from paroxysmal AF, Deployment of a complete encircling line resulted in di ssociation of electrical activation within the isolated area from the remai ning LA. Despite attempts at reinduction by pacing maneuvers inside and out side the isolated area, AF was no longer inducible. During 21-week follow-u p, the patient remained in stable sinus rhythm with rare atrial extrasystol es. Conclusion: If reproducible, this ablation strategy could allow treatment o f AF independent of suppression of any triggering event.