The degree of myocardial injury incurred by RFA is far more accurately assessed by cTnI levels rather than by CK-MB measurements. Cardiac troponin I levels correlate with the number of RF lesions applied, the site of RFA and the approach to the mitral annulus.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator was implanted in 57% of candidates for CRT. Within 1 year after device implant, the incidence of loss of capture at any lead was nearly three-fold greater among CRT-D than among CRT-P recipients. System-related infections were infrequent and clinical outcomes were similar in both groups.

No abstract

As reflected by elevated plasma D-dimer levels, RF ablation has a thrombogenic effect that persists through 48 h after the procedure. This effect needs to be taken into account when considering antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing RF ablation.

Pretreatment with aspirin or ticlopidine alone does not decrease the thrombogenic potential of RF ablation. Only combined therapy with aspirin and ticlopidine has a favorable effect, as reflected by the lower degree of D-dimer elevation.