HOW CARDIAC ABLATION FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION WORKS
WHAT IS ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?1
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AF, is an irregular heart rhythm that affects the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. In AF, the atria quiver instead of beating normally. AF can also lead to rapid heart rhythm, where the heart can beat as much as 300 times a minute or more in the atria and up to 150 times a minute or more in the lower chambers (ventricles).
There are five types of AF:
- Paroxysmal AF (PAF) is defined as AF that terminates spontaneously or with intervention within 7 days of onset
- Early persistent AF is a new term that is defined as continuous AF of more than 7 days' duration but less than 3 months' duration. Within the context of AF ablation and clinical trials of AF ablation, early persistent AF defines a population of patients in whom better outcomes of AF ablation are anticipated as compared with persistent AF of more than 3 months' duration.
- Persistent AF is defined as continuous AF that is sustained beyond 7 days
- Long standing persistent AF is defined as continuous AF of greater than 12 months' duration
- Permanent AF is defined as AF in which the presence of the AF is accepted by the patient and physician, and no further attempts will be made to either restore or maintain sinus rhythm. It is important, therefore, to recognise that the term permanent AF represents a therapeutic attitude on behalf of the patient and their physician rather than on any inherent pathophysiological attribute of the AF. Such decisions can change as symptoms, the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, and patient and physician preferences evolve.
Visit Medtronic Academy to learn more about AF.
WHY TREAT AF?
- AF is the most common arrhythmia with global prevalence > 33 million.2
- Just 4% of indicated patients for AF Ablation get the therapy.
References
1
Calkins et al.,2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Heart Rhythm Vol.14, No 10, October 2017
2
Rahman F, Kwan GF, Benjamin EJ. Global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation. Nat Rev Cardiol. November 2014; 11(11):639-654.
3
Kim MH, Johnston SS, Chu BC, Dalal MR, Schulman KL. Estimation of total incremental health care costs in patients with atrial fibrillation in the United States. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. May 2011;4(3):313-320.
4
Savelieva I, et al. Silent Atrial Fibrillation—Another Pandora's Box. Pace. 2000; 23:145-148.
5
6
Medtronic internal estimates taking into account of clinical and economic exclusion.
See the device manual for detailed information regarding the instructions for use, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and potential adverse events. For further information, contact your local Medtronic representative and/or consult the Medtronic website at medtronic.eu.