Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: The Role of Left Atrial Posterior Wall Isolation and Ablation Strategies

Journal of Clinical Medicine

John Camm¹  Aziz Momin¹  Riyaz A. Kaba¹ 

[1] Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George’s University of London and St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London SW17 0QT, UK;

关键词: persistent atrial fibrillation;    posterior wall;    hybrid ablation;    convergent ablation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jcm10143129

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a global disease with rapidly rising incidence and prevalence. It is associated with a higher risk of stroke, dementia, cognitive decline, sudden and cardiovascular death, heart failure and impairment in quality of life. The disease is a major burden on the healthcare system. Paroxysmal AF is typically managed with medications or endocardial catheter ablation to good effect. However, a large proportion of patients with AF have persistent or long-standing persistent AF, which are more complex forms of the condition and thus more difficult to treat. This is in part due to the progressive electro-anatomical changes that occur with AF persistence and the spread of arrhythmogenic triggers and substrates outside of the pulmonary veins. The posterior wall of the left atrium is a common site for these changes and has become a target of ablation strategies to treat these more resistant forms of AF. In this review, we discuss the role of the posterior left atrial wall in persistent and long-standing persistent AF, the limitations of current endocardial-focused treatment strategies, and future perspectives on hybrid epicardial–endocardial approaches to posterior wall isolation or ablation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown