Electrophysiologic and anatomic characterization of sites resistant to electrical isolation during circumferential pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation: A prospective study

Abstract

Electrophysiologic and Anatomic Characterization of Sites. Background: Catheter ablation (CA) by wide encirclement of pulmonary veins (WEPV) restores sinus rhythm in up to 95%. Complex PV-left atrial (LA) connections make achieving electrical isolation (EI) challenging. We examined anatomical and technical features associated with resistance to EI during WEPV in a prospective study. Methods: One hundred one consecutive patients with symptomatic AF underwent first-time CA guided by electroanatomic mapping and CT integration (Cartomerge™). Following double-transseptal access, WEPV was performed. After completion of PV encirclement, the line was mapped and where no signal could be obtained, CA ..