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Catheter Ablation of Left Atrial Ganglionated Plexi for Atrial Fibrillation

State Research Institute of Circulation Pathology Novosibirsk, Russia

For reprint information contact: Evgueny Pokushalov, MD, Tel: 7 913 925 4858, Fax: 7 383 332 4550, Email: pokush{at}mail.ru, Rechkunovskaya 15, 630055 Novosibirsk 55, Russia.

Radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary vein ostia does not provide complete and long-term elimination of atrial fibrillation. Combining this procedure with local radiofrequency application on sites with strong vagal reflexes results in partial parasympathetic denervation and increases the antiarrhythmic effect. A novel catheter-ablation technique to modify ganglionated plexi in the left atrium was assessed in 58 patients (mean age, 52.1 ± 1.9 years, 67% male) with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation, which was chronic in 21 (36%; mean duration, 14.3 ± 2.9 months; range, 5–39 months). The mean left atrial volume was 93.1 ± 6.1 mL. The patients underwent ablation of 4 areas of ganglionated plexi in the left atrium, with no circumferential ablation of the pulmonary veins; atrial fibrillation ceased immediately in 94.1% of them. Transient vagal bradycardia was seen in 93% of patients. For 7.2 ± 0.4 months after the procedure, 86.2% of them were free from arrhythmias, and no antiarrhythmic drugs were administered. Ganglionated plexi ablation is an efficient treatment for atrial fibrillation.