ObjectiveTo investigate heart rhythm outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA)of atrial fibrillation (AF)during mitral valve replacement (MVR)for patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD), and explore clinical results of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA)for postoperative atrial tachycardia (AT).
MethodsEleven RHD patients who developed AT after RFA of AF during MVR were enrolled in this study. There were 4 males and 7 females with their age of 49±8 years. Electroanatomic mapping of the left or right atrium was conducted with three-dimensional electroana-tomic mapping system during continuous AT. RFCA was performed at the key areas of AT.
ResultsFor MVR, operation time was 149±18 minutes, postoperative hospital stay was 9.5±2.9 days, and length of ICU stay was 1.8±0.4 days. During electroanatomic mapping, 17 ATs were recorded in 11 patients. Six ATs (35%)of 5 patients originated from the right atrium and 11 ATs (65%)of 6 patients originated from the left atrium (LA). Among them, AT of 2 patients was related to the mitral valve ring. Immediate success of RFCA was obtained in 91% (10/11). After a mean follow-up of 17±4 months, 2 patients whose AT originated from LA had AT recurrence.
ConclusionsMajority of postoperative ATs originate from LA, and majority of ATs are not mitral-dependent. RFCA is an effective and safe procedure for AT in patients after RFA of AF during MVR.
