RADIO FREQUENCY PULMONARY VEIN ISOLATION

摘要

A catheter introduction apparatus provides a radially expandable helical coi l as a radiofrequency emitter. In one application the emitter is introduced percutaneously, and transseptally advanced to the ostium of a pulmonary vein. The emitter is radially expanded, which can be accomplished by inflating an anchoring balloon about which the emitter is wrapped, in order to cause the emitter to make circumferentia l contact with the inner wall of the pulmonary vein. The coil is energized by a radiofrequency generator, and a circumferential ablation lesion is produced in the myocardi al sleeve of the pulmonary vein, which effectively blocks electrical propagation betwe en the pulmonary vein and the left atrium.