Nonsurgical transthoracic epicardial radiofrequency ablation: an alternative in incessant XXXX .

@entity1 @entity455 @entity1165 @entity583 @entity384 @entity591 @entity299 @entity453 @entity1002
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of epicardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation in @entity1 with incessant @entity1165 ( @entity1165 ). BACKGROUND: Management of @entity1 with incessant @entity1165 is a difficult clinical problem. Drugs and RF catheter ablation are not always effective. A nonsurgical transthoracic epicardial RF ablation can be an alternative in @entity1 refractory to conventional therapy. METHODS: Epicardial RF ablation was performed in 10 @entity1 who presented with incessant @entity1165 despite the use of two or more intravenous antiarrhythmic drugs. RESULTS: In eight @entity1 , endocardial ablation (EdA) failed to control the @entity591 . In the remaining two @entity1 , epicardial ablation (EpA) was first attempted because of @entity1002 and severe @entity455 , respectively. Eight @entity1 had a diagnosis of @entity453 with healed @entity583 . One @entity1 had @entity384 , and one @entity1 had idiopathic, incessant @entity1165 . In @entity1 with structural @entity299 , the mean ejection fraction was 0.28 +/- 0.10%. Four @entity1 previously received an implantable defibrillator. The EpA effectively terminated the incessant @entity591 in eight @entity1 , which represents a success rate of 80%. In them, after a follow-up of 18 +/- 18 months, a single episode of a different @entity1165 was documented in one @entity1 . No significant complications occurred related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: In @entity1 with incessant @entity1165 despite the use of drugs or standard EdA, the epicardial approach was very effective and should be considered as an alternative in this life-threatening situation.
