Catheter ablation of typical atrial flutter in severe pulmonary hypertension

Jason Bradfield, Shelley Shapiro, William Finch, Roderick Tung, Noel G. Boyle, Eric Buch, Nilesh Mathuria, Ravi Mandapati, Kalyanam Shivkumar, Malcolm Bersohn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Atrial Flutter and Pulmonary Hypertension. Background: Radiofrequency ablation is first-line therapy for atrial flutter (AFL). There are no studies of ablation in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: Consecutive patients with severe PAH (systolic pulmonary artery pressure >60 mmHg) and AFL referred for ablation were evaluated. Patients with complex congenital heart disease were excluded. Results: A total of 14 AFL ablation procedures were undertaken in 12 patients. A total of 75% of patients were female; mean age 49 ± 12 years. SPAP prior to ablation was 99 ± 35 mmHg. Baseline 6-minute walk distance was 295 ± 118 m. ECG demonstrated a typical AFL pattern in only 42% of cases. Baseline AFL cycle length was longer in PAH patients compared to controls (295 ± 53 ms vs 252 ± 35 ms, P = 0.006). Cavotricuspid isthmus dependence was verified in 86% of cases. Acute success was obtained in 86% of procedures. SPAP decreased from 114 ± 44 mmHg to 82 ± 38 mmHg after ablation (P = 0.004). BNP levels were lower postablation (787 ± 832 pg/mL vs 522 ± 745 pg/mL, P = 0.02). Complications were seen in 14%. A total of 80% (8/10) of patients were free of AFL at 3 months; 75% (6/8) at 1 year. Conclusion: Ablation of AFL in severe PAH patients is feasible, with good short- and intermediate-term success rates. The ECG pattern is not a reliable marker of isthmus dependence. The SPAP and BNP levels may decrease postablation. AFL may be a marker of poor outcomes in patients with PAH with a 1-year mortality rate of 42% in this study. This rate is higher than expected in the general PAH population. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1185-1190, November 2012)

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1185-1190
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Volume23
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • atrial flutter
  • cardiac hypertrophy
  • catheter ablation
  • pulmonary hypertension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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