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Clinical Trial
. 2001 Jun;16(2):69-74.
doi: 10.3904/kjim.2001.16.2.69.

Restoration of atrial mechanical function after successful radio-frequency catheter ablation of atrial flutter

K S Rhee  1 , D H Kang, J K Song, G B Nam, K J Choi, Y H Kim
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Restoration of atrial mechanical function after successful radio-frequency catheter ablation of atrial flutter

K S Rhee et al. Korean J Intern Med. 2001 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Atrial mechanical dysfunction and its recovery time course after successful radiofrequency ablation of chronic atrial flutter (AFL) has been largely unknown. We serially evaluated left atrial function by echocardiography after successful ablation of chronic atrial flutter.

Methods: In 13 patients with chronic AFL, mitral E wave A wave, and the ratio of A/E velocity were measured at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months and 6-12 months after successful radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) technique was also used to avoid load-dependent variation in the flow velocity pattern.

Results: Left atrial mechanical function, assessed by A wave velocity and the annular motion, was depressed at 1 day, but improved significantly at 1 month and maintained through 6-12 months after the ablation. Left atrial size did not change significantly.

Conclusion: Left atrial mechanical function was depressed immediately after successful RF ablation of chronic AFL, but it improved significantly after 1 month and was maintained over one year.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Pulsed-Doppler TTE images at the level of the mitral leaflet tips at post-ablation day 1 (A), at 1 month (B), 3 months (C), 6–12 months (D). Peak A velocity increased from 25 to 54 cm/s after 1 month and changes were not significant after then.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Mitral annular DTI at post ablation day 1 (A), at 1 month (B), 3 months (C), 6–12 months (D). Annular A increased from 5 to 11 cm/s after 1 month and changes were not significant after then.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Change in transmitral flow A velocity (A) and annular DTI (B), Mean transmitral A wave velocities (A), and A wave velocities of annular DTI (B) at post-ablation day 1, at 1 month, 3 months, 6–12 months. Both of them were increased significantly after 1 month of ablation and then changes were negligible. Each value was described in mean ± standard error.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Change in LA size. Mean LA dimensions measured in parasternal long axis view. LA size was not decreased during 1 year follow-up period after restoration of sinus rhythm by catheter ablation. Each value was described in mean ± standard error.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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