The first provincial hospital successfully implemented radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation using a 3D mapping system

Following the success in applying advanced and specialized techniques in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, Thanh Hoa General Hospital has recently successfully implemented the technique of ablating atrial fibrillation using high-frequency waves using a 3D electroanatomical mapping system for 2 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. These are the first 2 patients to be completely treated for atrial fibrillation thanks to the application and implementation of advanced and specialized techniques in the field of arrhythmia treatment at Thanh Hoa General Hospital.

A team of doctors at the Cardiovascular Intervention Unit, Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital performed radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation using a 3D mapping system for patient Le Trac M.

The first patient is Le Trac M., 61 years old, Xuan Thinh commune (Trieu Son) with a history of heart failure, high blood pressure, had been examined and treated for atrial fibrillation at major hospitals across the country, and used medication but the condition did not improve. The patient was admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital with clinical symptoms such as: chest tightness, shortness of breath, anxiety, palpitations, irregular heart rate of 130-140 beats/minute. After examination and paraclinical tests, the doctors diagnosed the patient with persistent atrial fibrillation (duration of illness over 1 year).

The second patient is Trinh Xuan T., 47 years old (Thanh Hoa City), with a history of chronic atrial fibrillation being treated with anticoagulants, occasional episodes of palpitations, each lasting 15-30 minutes and then going away on its own. Recently, the patient has been experiencing episodes of palpitations and shortness of breath more frequently and not going away on its own, so he went to the Cardiology Department, Thanh Hoa General Hospital for examination and hospitalization. Through examination and paraclinical test results, doctors diagnosed the patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, secondary pulmonary hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, and increased pulmonary arterial pressure.

After consulting and carefully assessing the patient's condition, with the support of experts from the Cardiovascular Institute, Bach Mai Hospital, on July 14, 2023, the team of doctors from the Vascular Intervention Unit, Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital performed atrial fibrillation ablation for both patients using radio frequency energy using a 3D anatomical and electrical mapping system of the heart chambers.

The first provincial hospital successfully implemented radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation using a 3D mapping system

Clear 3D images of the heart chambers accurately identify the locations requiring intervention.

To perform the intervention, doctors open a small blood vessel in the patient's thigh and insert a specialized instrument into the heart chamber. With the help of a 3D electro-anatomical mapping system, doctors quickly create an electro-anatomical map as well as anatomical structure of the heart chamber, accurately determining the locations that need intervention. Then, radio-frequency wave energy is used to burn around and isolate the pulmonary veins (the source of atrial fibrillation) quickly and accurately.

After more than 5 hours of intervention, both patients had completely returned to sinus rhythm, with a frequency of about 90 beats/minute, no longer had symptoms of palpitations, chest tightness, or shortness of breath, and no pain or bleeding at the femoral artery access site.

Both patients continued to be monitored for another week after the intervention at the Department of Cardiology. The monitoring process showed that both patients did not have a recurrence of atrial fibrillation and felt much more comfortable than before; both patients' conditions were stable so they were discharged from the hospital and will continue to be monitored and consulted by doctors in the following time.

The first provincial hospital successfully implemented radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation using a 3D mapping system

BSCKII Trinh Dinh Hoang, Deputy Head of Cardiology Department, examines the patient before discharge.

MSc., Dr. Le The Anh, Head of the Department of Cardiology, Thanh Hoa General Hospital said: “Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia, with an increasing incidence in the elderly. Some cases of early-stage atrial fibrillation have no obvious symptoms and are only discovered by chance during a health check-up, when the patient shows signs of anxiety, palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, heart failure, stroke, etc., the disease may have progressed.”

Previously, patients with atrial fibrillation were often treated with medication to help control heart rate or anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots. In cases where medical treatment is ineffective, or the disease progresses severely, the patient may be treated with electric shock. However, this method does not completely cure the disease, and the rate of recurrence in the first year is very high. Long-term use of medication has many side effects such as: ventricular arrhythmia, thyroid dysfunction, sexual function, blood clotting function, etc.

Radiofrequency atrial fibrillation treatment with a 3D electrical mapping system helps to accurately determine the location of intervention, thoroughly treat atrial fibrillation, maintain a stable heart rate for a long time, and have a low recurrence rate. In particular, this method minimizes the time spent using X-rays, avoiding the impact on patients and medical staff. This is a minimally invasive procedure, with a short hospital stay and a high success rate, especially for young people with atrial fibrillation, with a success rate of up to 95%.

“Currently, this technique has only been deployed in a few Cardiovascular Centers around the world and a few central hospitals. Thanh Hoa General Hospital is the first provincial hospital to deploy 3D electrocardiographic mapping technology to treat atrial fibrillation. This is considered a milestone in the process of applying and developing artificial intelligence techniques in the treatment of complex cardiovascular diseases,” added Dr. Le The Anh.

To Ha

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