scholarly journals Procedural time reduction associated with active esophageal cooling during pulmonary vein isolation

Author(s):  
Christopher Joseph ◽  
Jacob Sherman ◽  
Alex Ro ◽  
Westby Fisher ◽  
Jose Nazari ◽  
...  

Background: Active esophageal cooling is increasingly utilized as an alternative to luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring for protection against thermal injury during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) when treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Published data demonstrate the efficacy of active cooling in reducing thermal injury, but impacts on procedural efficiency are not as well characterized. LET monitoring compels pauses in ablation due to heat stacking and temperature overheating alarms that in turn delay progress of the PVI procedure, whereas active esophageal cooling allows avoidance of this phenomenon. Objective: Measure the change in PVI procedure duration after implementation of active esophageal cooling as a protective measure against esophageal injury. Methods: We performed a retrospective review under IRB approval of patients with AF undergoing PVI between January 2018 to February 2020. For each patient, we recorded age, gender, and total procedure time. We then compared procedure times before and after the implementation of active esophageal cooling as a replacement for LET monitoring. Results: A total of 373 patients received PVI over the study period. LET monitoring using a multi-sensor probe was performed in 198 patients, and active esophageal cooling using a dedicated device was performed in 175 patients. Patient characteristics did not significantly differ between groups (mean age of 67 years, and gender 37.4% female). Mean procedure time was 146 minutes in the LET monitored patients, and 110 minutes in the actively cooled patients, representing a reduction of 36 minutes, or 24.7% (p<.001). Median procedure time was 141 minutes in the LET monitored patients and 100 minutes in the actively cooled patients, for a reduction of 41 minutes, or 29.1% (p<.001). Conclusions: Implementation of active esophageal cooling for protection against esophageal injury during PVI was associated with a significantly large reduction in procedure duration.

Author(s):  
Takashi Kaneshiro ◽  
Masashi Kamioka ◽  
Naoko Hijioka ◽  
Shinya Yamada ◽  
Tetsuro Yokokawa ◽  
...  

Background: The mechanism of esophageal thermal injury (ETI; esophageal mucosal injury and periesophageal nerve injury leading to gastric hypomotility) remains unknown when using a high-power short-duration (HP-SD) setting. This study sought to evaluate the characteristics of esophageal injuries in atrial fibrillation ablation using a HP-SD setting. Methods: After exclusion of 5 patients with their esophagus at the right portion of left atrium and 21 patients with additional ablations such as box isolation and low voltage area ablation in left atrium posterior wall, 271 consecutive patients (62±10 years, 56 women) who underwent pulmonary vein isolation by radiofrequency catheter ablation were analyzed. In the 101 patients, a HP-SD setting at 45 to 50 W with an Ablation Index module was used (HP-SD group). In the remaining 170 patients before introduction of the HP-SD setting, a conventional power setting of 20 to 30 W with contact force monitoring was used (conventional group). We performed esophagogastroduodenoscopy after pulmonary vein isolation in all patients and investigated the incidence and characteristics of ETI. Results: Although the incidence of ETI was significantly higher in the HP-SD group compared with the conventional group (37% versus 22%, P =0.011), the prevalence of esophageal lesions did not differ between the groups (7% versus 8%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the use of the HP-SD setting (odds ratio, 6.09, P <0.001), and the parameters that suggest anatomic proximity surrounding the esophagus, were independent predictors of ETI. However, the majority of ETI in the HP-SD group was gastric hypomotility, and the thermal injury was limited to the shallow layer of the periesophageal wall using the HP-SD setting. Conclusions: Although the use of the HP-SD setting was a strong predictor of ETI, it could avoid deeper thermal injuries that reach the esophageal mucosal layer.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 188
Author(s):  
D. V. Losik ◽  
V. V. Shabanov ◽  
R. T. Kamiev ◽  
S. N. Artemenko

This clinical case report shows a rare complication following pulmonary vein isolation, with the esophageal wall injured during the procedure and a hematoma developed on the wall.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Weinmann ◽  
Regina Heudorfer ◽  
Alexia Lenz ◽  
Deniz Aktolga ◽  
Manuel Rattka ◽  
...  

AbstractImmobilization of patients during electrophysiological procedures, to avoid complications by patients’ unexpected bodily motion, is achieved by moderate to deep conscious sedation using benzodiazepines and propofol for sedation and opioids for analgesia. Our aim was to compare respiratory and hemodynamic safety endpoints of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and electroanatomical mapping (EAM) procedures. Included patients underwent either cryoballoon PVI or EAM procedures. Sedation monitoring included non-invasive blood pressure measurements, transcutaneous oxygen saturation (tSpO2) and transcutaneous carbon-dioxide (tpCO2) measurements. We enrolled 125 consecutive patients, 67 patients underwent cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation and 58 patients had an EAM and radiofrequency ablation procedure. Mean procedure duration of EAM procedures was significantly longer (p < 0.001) and propofol doses as well as morphine equivalent doses of administered opioids were significantly higher in EAM patients compared to cryoballoon patients (p < 0.001). Cryoballoon patients display higher tpCO2 levels compared to EAM patients at 30 min (cryoballoon: 51.1 ± 7.0 mmHg vs. EAM: 48.6 ± 6.2 mmHg, p = 0.009) and at 60 min (cryoballoon: 51.4 ± 7.3 mmHg vs. EAM: 48.9 ± 6.6 mmHg, p = 0.07) procedure duration. Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher after 60 min (cryoballoon: 84.7 ± 16.7 mmHg vs. EAM: 76.7 ± 13.3 mmHg, p = 0.017) in cryoballoon PVI compared to EAM procedures. Regarding respiratory and hemodynamic safety endpoints, no significant difference was detected regarding hypercapnia, hypoxia and episodes of hypotension. Despite longer procedure duration and deeper sedation requirement, conscious sedation in EAM procedures appears to be as safe as conscious sedation in cryoballoon ablation procedures regarding hemodynamic and respiratory safety endpoints.


EP Europace ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (suppl_3) ◽  
pp. iii61-iii61
Author(s):  
G. Monir ◽  
SJ. Pollak ◽  
J. Pepe

Author(s):  
Yue Song ◽  
Jingjing Zheng ◽  
Lianhui Fan

Background Esophageal ulceration and fistula are severe complications of pulmonary vein isolation using thermal ablation. Nonthermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) is a promising new technology for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation. NTIRE ablation technology has been used to treat atrial fibrillation; however, the effects of NTIRE on esophageal tissue have not been clearly described. Methods and Results A typical NTIRE electrical protocol was directly applied to esophagi in 84 New Zealand rabbits. Finite element modeling and histological analysis with 120 slices were used to analyze electric field intensity distribution and subsequent tissue changes. A parameter combination of 2000 V/cm multiplied by 90 pulses output is determined to be an effective ablation parameters combination. Within 16 weeks after ablation, no obvious lumen stenosis, epithelial erythema, erosion, ulcer, or fistula was observed in the esophageal tissue. NTIRE effectively results in esophageal cell ablation to death, and subsequently, signs of recovery gradually appear: creeping replacement and regeneration of epithelial basal cells, repair and regeneration of muscle cells, structural remodeling of the muscle layer, and finally the restoration of clear anatomical structures in all layers. Conclusions Monophasic, bipolar NTIRE delivered using plate electrodes in a novel esophageal injury model demonstrates no histopathologic changes to the esophagus at 16 weeks. Data of this study suggest that electroporation ablation is a safe modality for pulsed electroporation ablation near the esophagus.


Author(s):  
Hui-Nam Pak ◽  
Je-Wook Park ◽  
Song-Yi Yang ◽  
Tae-Hoon Kim ◽  
Jae-Sun Uhm ◽  
...  

Background: The efficacy of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (Cryo-PVI) is equivalent to that of radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety profile of Cryo-PVI and high-power, short-duration (HPSD) radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in patients with AF. Methods: We prospectively randomized 314 patients with paroxysmal AF (men, 71.3%; 59.9±10.9 years old) to either the Cryo-PVI group (n=156) or HPSD-RFCA group (n=158). Cavotricuspid isthmus ablation and linear ablation from the superior vena cava to the right atrial septum in addition to pulmonary vein isolation were carried out in the majority of patients in the HPSD-RFCA group. The primary end point was AF recurrence after a single procedure; secondary end points were the recurrence pattern, cardioversion rate, follow-up heart rate variability, and response to antiarrhythmic drugs. Results: After a mean follow-up of 9.8±5.1 months, the clinical recurrence rate did not significantly differ between the two groups (log-rank P =0.840). The rate of recurrence as atrial tachycardia ( P >0.999), cardioversion ( P =0.999), and 3-month heart rate variability (high frequency; P =0.506) did not significantly differ. During the final follow-up, sinus rhythm was maintained without antiarrhythmic drugs in 70.5% of the Cryo-PVI group and 73.4% of the HPSD-RFCA group ( P =0.567). No significant difference was found in the major complication rate between the two groups (3.8% versus 0.6%; P =0.066), but total procedure time was significantly shorter in the Cryo-PVI group (78.5±20.2 versus 124.5±37.1 minutes; P <0.001). Conclusions: In patients with paroxysmal AF, the Cryo-PVI is an effective rhythm-control strategy with a shorter procedure time compared with the HPSD-RFCA. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03920917.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 557-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-feng Chen ◽  
Mei-jun Liu ◽  
Chao-lun Jin ◽  
Xiao-fei Gao ◽  
Xiao-hua Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Limited comparative data are available regarding catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) using second-generation cryoballoon (CB-2) vs. radiofrequency (RF) ablation in elderly patients (> 75 years old). The present study aimed to compare the costs and clinical outcomes in elderly patients using these two strategies. Methods Elderly patients with symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal/short-lasting persistent AF were included in the study. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in all patients. Results A total of 324 elderly patients were included (RF,176; CB-2,148) from September 2016 to April 2019. The CB-2 was associated with shorter procedure time and left atrial dwell time (112.9 ± 11.1 vs. 135.1 ± 9.9 min, P < 0.001; 53.7 ± 8.9 vs. 65.1.9 ± 9.0 min, P < 0.001) but marked fluoroscopy utilization (22.1 ± 3.3 vs. 18.5 ± 3.6 min, P < 0.001). Complications occurred in 3.3% (CB-2) and 6.2% (RF) of patients with no significant different (p = 0.307). The length of stay after ablation was shorter, but the costs were higher in the CB-2 group (1.94 vs. 2.53 days, P < 0.001 and 91,132.6 ± 3723.5 vs. 81,149.4 ± 6824.1 CNY, P < 0.001) compared to the RF group. Additionally, the rate of early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia (ERAA) was lower in the CB-2 group (14.2 vs. 23.3%, P = 0.047), but the long-term success rate was similar between two groups. Conclusions CB-2 is associated with shorter procedure time, left atrial dwell time, and length of stay after ablation, as well as lower ERAA, but its costs and fluoroscopy time are greater than the RF group. Moreover, the rate of complications and long-term success is similar between the two groups.


EP Europace ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Berte ◽  
Gabriella Hilfiker ◽  
Federico Moccetti ◽  
Thomas Schefer ◽  
Vanessa Weberndörfer ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using ablation index (AI) incorporates stability, contact force (CF), time, and power. The CLOSE protocol combines AI and ≤6 mm interlesion distance. Safety concerns are raised about surround flow ablation catheters (STSF). To compare safety and effectiveness of an atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation strategy using AI vs. CLOSE protocol using STSF. Methods and results First cluster was treated using AI and second cluster using CLOSE. Procedural data, safety, and recurrence of any atrial tachycardia (AT) or AF &gt;30 s were collected prospectively. All Classes 1c and III anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) were stopped after the blanking period. In total, all 215 consecutive patients [AI: 121 (paroxysmal: n = 97), CLOSE: n = 94 (paroxysmal: n = 74)] were included. Pulmonary vein isolation was reached in all in similar procedure duration (CLOSE: 107 ± 25 vs. AI: 102 ± 24 min; P = 0.1) and similar radiofrequency time (CLOSE: 36 ± 11 vs. AI: 37 ± 8 min; P = 0.4) but first pass isolation was higher in CLOSE vs. AI [left veins: 90% vs. 80%; P &lt; 0.05 and right veins: 84% vs. 73%; P &lt; 0.05]. Twelve-month off-AAD freedom of AF/AT was higher in CLOSE vs. AI [79% (paroxysmal: 85%) vs. 64% (paroxysmal: 68%); P &lt; 0.05]. Only four patients (2%) without recurrence were on AAD during follow-up. Major complications were similar (CLOSE: 2.1% vs. AI: 2.5%; P = 0.87). Conclusion The CLOSE protocol is more effective than a PVI approach solely using AI, especially in paroxysmal AF. In this off-AAD study, 79% of patients were free from AF/AT during 12-month follow-up. The STSF catheter appears to be safe using conventional CLOSE targets.


Author(s):  
Hagai D. Yavin ◽  
Zachary P. Bubar ◽  
Koji Higuchi ◽  
Jakub Sroubek ◽  
Mohamed Kanj ◽  
...  

Background: High-power short-duration (HP-SD) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been proposed as a method for producing rapid and effective lesions for pulmonary vein isolation. The underlying hypothesis assumes an increased resistive heating phase and decreased conductive heating phase, potentially reducing the risk for esophageal thermal injury. The objective of this study was to compare the esophageal temperature dynamic profile between HP-SD and moderate-power moderate-duration (MP-MD) RFA ablation strategies. Methods: In patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation, RFA juxtaposed to the esophagus was delivered in an alternate sequence of HP-SD (50 W, 8–10 s) and MP-MD (25 W, 15–20 s) between adjacent applications (distance, ≤4 mm). Esophageal temperature was recorded using a multisensor probe (CIRCA S-CATH). Temperature data included magnitude of temperature rise, maximal temperature, time to maximal temperature, and time return to baseline. In swine, a similar experimental design compared the effect of HP-SD and MP-MD on patterns of esophageal injury. Results: In 20 patients (68.9±5.8 years old; 60% persistent atrial fibrillation), 55 paired HP-SD and MP-MD applications were analyzed. The esophageal temperature dynamic profile was similar between HP-SD and MP-MD ablation strategies. Specifically, the magnitude of temperature rise (2.1 °C [1.4–3] versus 2.0 °C [1.5–3]; P =0.22), maximal temperature (38.4 °C [37.8–39.3] versus 38.5 °C [37.9–39.4]; P =0.17), time to maximal temperature (24.9±7.5 versus 26.3±6.8 s; P =0.1), and time of temperature to return to baseline (110±23.2 versus 111±25.1 s; P =0.86) were similar between HP-SD and MP-MD ablation strategies. In 6 swine, esophageal injury was qualitatively similar between HP-SD and MP-MD strategies. Conclusions: Esophageal temperature dynamics are similar between HP-SD and MP-MD RFA strategies and result in comparable esophageal tissue injury. Therefore, when using a HP-SD RFA strategy, the shorter application duration should not prompt shorter intervals between applications.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document