Results of catheter ablation of typical atrial flutter

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation of typical atrial flutter by using an 8-mm electrode catheter and a 100-W RF power generator. A limitation of previous trials of catheter ablation of atrial flutter is that the data were not collected as part of a prospective multicenter clinical trial. The study results associated catheter ablation of typical atrial flutter in a cohort of 150 patients with an 88% acute efficacy rate. At 6-month follow-up, recurrent typical atrial flutter was observed in 13% of patients. Of the 12 patients with typical atrial flutter recurrence, 4 were symptomatic and 8 were asymptomatic. Procedure duration was a significant predictor of typical atrial flutter recurrence. The 12-month rate for development of atrial fibrillation was 30%. Catheter ablation of atrial flutter was associated with significant improvements in 5 of 8 domains of the Short Form 36 Survey (quality of life) and significant decreases in 13 of the 16 symptoms of the Symptom Checklist. The device- or procedure-related complication rate was 2.7%. Skin burns occurred at the dispersive pad site due to stronger RF power in 3 patients. Use of a dual dispersive pad system mitigated this problem. Thus, the results of this study associated catheter ablation of atrial flutter with high acute efficacy, a small risk of recurrent atrial flutter, and an important risk of atrial fibrillation during follow-up. (C) 2004 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.