Thoracoscopic Surgical Biatrial Ablation vs. Catheter Ablation in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Figure 3

Endocardial 3-dimensional voltage mapping and catheter ablation lesion set in catheter ablation group. Left atrial mapping ((a) anteroposterior view and (b) posteroanterior view) showed scattered low voltage areas of the left atrial posterior wall and ablation lesion set including pulmonary vein isolation, roof line, anterior line, mitral isthmus line (the linear lesions connecting left inferior pulmonary vein and right inferior pulmonary vein to posterior mitral valve annulus), coronary sinus line, and cavotricuspid isthmus line. After stepwise linear ablation, atrial fibrillation was maintained in the patient who was converted to sinus rhythm after electrical conversion. Endocardial voltage mapping displayed atrial models containing colored areas (low voltage) and rosy areas (normal voltage). Catheter ablation was marked with red, yellow, and green dots.

(a)

(b)