Saturday, May 12, 2007
A F ablation
New guidelines on catheter and surgical ablation for AF unveiled
10 May 2007
MedWire News: The first international consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation techniques to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) has been released at the 28th annual meeting of the US Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) in Denver, Colorado.
The statement aims to improve patient care by providing physicians with a comprehensive review of the techniques in AF. Studies have shown that three-quarters of patients with AF receive inappropriate care.
“These guidelines are a major step toward helping physicians provide better, safer, and more consistent care for heart patients worldwide,” said chair of the HRS scientific and clinical guidelines committee Hugh Calkins, from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
The statement was developed by a Task Force convened by the HRS that includes international heart rhythm specialists representing the American Heart Association, the European Heart Rhythm Association, the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons HRS.
It stresses that, since ablation of AF is more complicated than other ablation procedures, training should encompass six fundamental principles: appropriate selection of patients; knowledge of the anatomy of the atria and adjacent structures; conceptual knowledge of strategies to ablate AF; technical competence; recognition, prevention, and management complications; and appropriate follow-up and long-term management.
Of note, the primary indication for catheter ablation of AF is the presence of symptomatic AF refractory or intolerant to at least one Class 1 or Class 3 anti-arrhythmic medication. It may rarely be considered as first-line therapy.
The Task Force states that catheter ablation of AF is also appropriate in selected symptomatic patients with heart failure and/or reduced ejection fraction. In contrast, catheter ablation as an alternative to long-term anticoagulation is not appropriate, and left atrial thrombus is a contraindication, it says.
Meanwhile, surgical AF ablation is indicated for symptomatic AF patients undergoing other cardiac surgery; selected asymptomatic patients undergoing cardiac surgery in whom the ablation carries minimal risk; and stand-alone surgery in symptomatic AF patients who prefer a surgical approach, have failed previous catheter ablation attempts, or are not candidates for catheter ablation.
“We felt it was important to develop these guidelines so that patients in every corner of the world can receive the highest quality of care available,” commented Task Force member and president-elect of the EHRA Josep Brugada, from the University of Barcelona, Spain.
Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions; Denver, Colorado: 9-12 May 2007
10 May 2007
MedWire News: The first international consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation techniques to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) has been released at the 28th annual meeting of the US Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) in Denver, Colorado.
The statement aims to improve patient care by providing physicians with a comprehensive review of the techniques in AF. Studies have shown that three-quarters of patients with AF receive inappropriate care.
“These guidelines are a major step toward helping physicians provide better, safer, and more consistent care for heart patients worldwide,” said chair of the HRS scientific and clinical guidelines committee Hugh Calkins, from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
The statement was developed by a Task Force convened by the HRS that includes international heart rhythm specialists representing the American Heart Association, the European Heart Rhythm Association, the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons HRS.
It stresses that, since ablation of AF is more complicated than other ablation procedures, training should encompass six fundamental principles: appropriate selection of patients; knowledge of the anatomy of the atria and adjacent structures; conceptual knowledge of strategies to ablate AF; technical competence; recognition, prevention, and management complications; and appropriate follow-up and long-term management.
Of note, the primary indication for catheter ablation of AF is the presence of symptomatic AF refractory or intolerant to at least one Class 1 or Class 3 anti-arrhythmic medication. It may rarely be considered as first-line therapy.
The Task Force states that catheter ablation of AF is also appropriate in selected symptomatic patients with heart failure and/or reduced ejection fraction. In contrast, catheter ablation as an alternative to long-term anticoagulation is not appropriate, and left atrial thrombus is a contraindication, it says.
Meanwhile, surgical AF ablation is indicated for symptomatic AF patients undergoing other cardiac surgery; selected asymptomatic patients undergoing cardiac surgery in whom the ablation carries minimal risk; and stand-alone surgery in symptomatic AF patients who prefer a surgical approach, have failed previous catheter ablation attempts, or are not candidates for catheter ablation.
“We felt it was important to develop these guidelines so that patients in every corner of the world can receive the highest quality of care available,” commented Task Force member and president-elect of the EHRA Josep Brugada, from the University of Barcelona, Spain.
Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions; Denver, Colorado: 9-12 May 2007
# posted by roodbont @ 4:01 AM 
