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(Circulation. 1999;99:3286-3291.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.

Clinical Investigation and Reports

Isoproterenol to Evaluate Resumption of Conduction After Right Atrial Isthmus Ablation in Type I Atrial Flutter

Ashish Nabar, MD; Luz-Maria Rodriguez, MD; Carl Timmermans, MD; Joep L. R. M. Smeets, MD; Hein J. J. Wellens, MD

From the Department of Cardiology, Academic Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Background—After radiofrequency (RF) ablation of atrial flutter (AFL), the demonstration of bidirectional isthmus conduction (BIC) block is considered the hallmark of a successful procedure. The purpose of our study was to test the persistence of BIC block after isoproterenol administration and to evaluate the importance of this finding with regard to AFL recurrences.

Methods and Results—RF ablation of AFL was performed in 44 consecutive patients with type I AFL by linear ablation of the posterior isthmus (n=29 patients), septal isthmus (n=4 patients), or both right atrial (RA) isthmi (n=11 patients). The procedural end point was complete BIC block and noninducibility of AFL. In case of noninducibility and apparent BIC block, the pacing protocol was repeated under isoproterenol infusion (1 to 3 µg/min). Reversal of apparent BIC block occurred in 7 (15.9%) of 44 patients. Six patients had bidirectional and 1 had unidirectional resumption of isthmus conduction. Counterclockwise AFL could be reinduced in 4 of these patients. Two to 24 (median, 4) additional RF applications were required to achieve permanent BIC block. At a mean follow-up of 7.3±7.6 months (range, 2 to 31 months), 2 (4.5%) of 44 patients had AFL recurrences.

Conclusions—Partial linear RF ablation could possibly aggravate preexisting nonuniform anisotropic conduction in the RA isthmus, resulting in profound conduction slowing and apparent BIC block. Isoproterenol can unmask apparent BIC block, thus providing an opportunity to assess the possibility of reversal of BIC block and completeness of isthmus ablation during the same procedure. The low incidence (4.5%) of AFL recurrences at follow-up suggests that noninducibility and BIC block under isoproterenol infusion may be a better end point for successful AFL ablation.

Key Words: atrial flutter • isoproterenol • conduction • anisotropy

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