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New Technology

Complete Right Atrial Ablation With Bipolar Radiofrequency

Division of Cardiac Surgery, S. Raffaele University Hospital, Milan, Italy

Accepted for publication December 5, 2008.

^_* Address correspondence to Dr Benussi, Division of Cardiac Surgery, S. Raffaele University Hospital, via Olgettina 60, Milan, 20132, Italy (Email: stefano.benussi{at}hsr.it).

Purpose: Although it is deemed important, right atrial ablation is not considered feasible with bipolar radiofrequency alone. Normally, unipolar devices are used to complete the tricuspid connecting lines. We describe a simple technique to achieve a complete maze-like set of right ablations using a standard bipolar radiofrequency device.

Description: Thirty-four patients underwent concomitant ablation with a right set of lines performed using bipolar radiofrequency only. The epicardium adjacent to the right atriotomy was entered and after separating the sulcus fat from the atrial wall, the deepest portion of the atrioventricular groove was developed bluntly with the scissors down to the tricuspid annulus. The tricuspid connecting lines were then performed with bipolar radiofrequency in an endo-epicardial fashion.

Evaluation: No ablation-related complications occurred. No patient died. Three patients required pacemaker implantation. At a mean follow-up of 8 ± 5, 85% of the patients were free from arrhythmias. At 6 months 20 of 24 patients (83%) were in stable sinus rhythm.

Conclusions: All the maze III right atrial ablations can be performed using a bipolar radiofrequency device alone. The procedure is safe and easily reproducible on a regular basis.

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