Author(s)

Soulemane Pessinaba^1,2,3*, Clémentine Essaga Essaga¹, Yaovi Mignazonzon Afassinou^2,4, Komlavi Yayehd¹, Mohamed Kpélafia¹, Leaticia Ingrid Ngayou¹, Wiyaou Dieudonné Kaziga^1,2, Ekpé Togbossi¹, Soodougoua Baragou⁴, Findibé Damorou¹, Machihude Pio^2,5

¹Cardiology Department, Campus University Hospital, Lome, Togo.
²Cardiology Department, Dogta-Lafiè Hospital, Lome, Togo.
³Cardiology Department, Aneho Prefectoral Hospital, Lome, Togo.
⁴Cardiology Department, Sylvanus Olympio University Hopsital, Lome, Togo.
⁵Cardiology Department, Kara University Hospital, Kara, Togo.

Introduction: Atrial flutter is the second most common supraventricular rhythm disorder after atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency ablation is currently the standard treatment for atrial flutter. Objectives: Firstly, to describe the results of radiofrequency ablation of atrial flutter in LomE, and secondly, to quantify the recurrence rate in patients under follow-up. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted from April 2023 to April 2024. Patients with typical atrial flutter on surface ECG who underwent electrophysiological exploration were included. An 8 mm/8 Fr non-irrigated catheter and an Ibi Saint Jude radiofrequency generator were used for ablation. A three-month follow-up was performed after ablation. Results: Eleven patients were selected, with a mean age of 49.78 ± 12.21 years. All patients were male. Palpitations were the main symptom (8/11 patients). Hypertension was the predominant aetiology (8/11). The CHA2D2-VA score was ≥ 2 in nine cases. An ECG showed flutter in 10 cases and sinus rhythm in one. Rivaroxaban was the most commonly used anticoagulant. Anti-clockwise flutter was the most frequent type identified during electrophysiological examination. The mean procedure duration was 120 ± 15 minutes, with return to sinus rhythm observed in all cases. Bidirectional block was found in ten cases. One patient presented with a point haemorrhage postoperatively. During follow-up, one case of recurrence was noted at one month, necessitating a second ablation. After three months of follow-up, no recurrence was observed. Conclusion: radiofrequency ablation of isthmo-dependent flutter is a viable treatment option in Togo. The success rate is good, with very few complications. This technique needs to be developed and popularised in other countries.

Atrial Flutter, Ablation, Radiofrequency, Lome

Pessinaba, S. , Essaga, C. , Afassinou, Y. , Yayehd, K. , Kpélafia, M. , Ngayou, L. , Kaziga, W. , Togbossi, E. , Baragou, S. , Damorou, F. and Pio, M. (2025) Ablation of Right Atrial Flutter in a Sub-Saharan African Country: Experience of Lome (Togo). World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 15, 322-330. doi: 10.4236/wjcd.2025.156027.