First robotic endoscopic epicardial isolation of the pulmonary veins with microwave energy in a patient in chronic atrial fibrillation.

Loulmet, Didier F; Patel, Nirav C; Patel, Nilesh U; Frumkin, William I; Santoni-Rugiu, Francesco; Langan, Marie Noelle; Subramanian, Valavanur A · Ann Thorac Surg · 2004

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

The pulmonary veins have been demonstrated to play an important role in generating atrial fibrillation. We report the first successful endoscopic epicardial isolation of the pulmonary veins in a patient with permanent atrial fibrillation, along with a 1-year follow-up. The procedure consisted of making a conduction block around the pulmonary veins with a flexible microwave energy delivery probe. The probe was placed endoscopically on the left atrial epicardium with the aid of robotic instruments.

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