scholarly journals Initial experience with AcQMap catheter for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation and atypical atrial flutter

Author(s):  
M. Liebregts ◽  
M. C. E. F. Wijffels ◽  
M. N. Klaver ◽  
V. F. van Dijk ◽  
J. C. Balt ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The AcQMap High Resolution Imaging and Mapping System was recently introduced. This system provides 3D maps of electrical activation across an ultrasound-acquired atrial surface. Methods We evaluated the feasibility and the acute and short-term efficacy and safety of this novel system for ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and atypical atrial flutter. Results A total of 21 consecutive patients (age (mean ± standard deviation) 62 ± 8 years, 23% female) underwent catheter ablation with the use of the AcQMap System. Fourteen patients (67%) were treated for persistent AF and 7 patients (33%) for atypical atrial flutter. Eighteen patients (86%) had undergone at least one prior ablation procedure. Acute success, defined as sinus rhythm without the ability to provoke the clinical arrhythmia, was achieved in 17 patients (81%). At 12 months, 4 patients treated for persistent AF (29%) and 4 patients treated for atypical flutter (57%) remained in sinus rhythm. Complications included hemiparesis, for which intra-arterial thrombolysis was given with subsequent good clinical outcome (n = 1), and complete atrioventricular block, for which a permanent pacemaker was implanted (n = 2). No major complications attributable to the mapping system occurred. Conclusion The AcQMap System is able to provide fast, high-resolution activation maps of persistent AF and atypical atrial flutter. Despite a high acute success rate, the recurrence rate of persistent AF was relatively high. This may be due to the selection of the patients with therapy-resistant arrhythmias and limited experience in the optimal use of this mapping system that is still under development.

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark M Gallagher ◽  
Gang Yi ◽  
Hanney Gonna ◽  
Lisa W M Leung ◽  
Idris Harding ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Restoring sinus rhythm (SR) by ablation alone is an endpoint used in radiofrequency (RF) ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) but not with cryotherapy. The simultaneous use of two cryotherapy catheters can improve ablation efficiency; we compared this with RF ablation in chronic persistent AF aiming for termination to SR by ablation alone. Methods and results Consecutive patients undergoing their first ablation for persistent AF of >6 months duration were screened. A total of 100 participants were randomized 1:1 to multi-catheter cryotherapy or RF. For cryotherapy, a 28-mm Arctic Front Advance was used in tandem with focal cryoablation catheters. Open-irrigated, non-force sensing catheters were used in the RF group with a 3D mapping system. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation and non-PV triggers were targeted. Participants were followed up at 6 and 12 months, then yearly. Acute PVI was achieved in all cases. More patients in the multi-catheter cryotherapy group were restored to SR by ablation alone, with a shorter procedure duration. Sinus rhythm continued to the last available follow-up in 16/49 patients (33%) in the multi-catheter at 3.0 ± 1.6 years post-ablation and in 12/50 patients (24%) in the RF group at 4.0 ± 1.2 years post-ablation. The yearly rate of arrhythmia recurrence was similar. Conclusion Multi-catheter cryotherapy can restore SR by ablation alone in more cases and more quickly than RF ablation. Long-term success is difficult to achieve by either methods and is similar with both.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Franco ◽  
C Lozano-Granero ◽  
R Matia ◽  
A Hernandez-Madrid ◽  
I Sanchez-Perez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ablation of drivers in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has shown controversial results. Purpose To test the efficacy of a tailored approach for persistent AF ablation which includes pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus “subjective” identification and ablation of drivers. Methods From May 2017 to December 2019, selected patients with persistent AF and ongoing AF at the beginning of the ablation procedure were included. Conventional high-density mapping catheters (PentaRay NAV, IntellaMap Orion or Advisor HD Grid) were used. Drivers were subjectively identified as: a) fractionated continuous (or quasi-continuous) electrograms on 1–2 adjacent bipoles, without dedicated software (Figure 1A, dashed line; PR = PentaRay NAV); and b) sites with spatiotemporal dispersion (i.e. all the cycle length comprised within the mapping catheter) plus non-continuous fractionation on single bipoles (Figure 1B, arrows; in panels A and B: paper speed 200 mm/s; ORB = 24-pole ORBITER Woven catheter, blue bipoles around tricuspid annulus and green bipoles into the coronary sinus). Ablation included PVI + focal or linear ablation targeting sites with drivers. Ablation success was defined as conversion to sinus rhythm or atrial flutter during ablation. Follow-up included visits with 24h Holter ECG at 3–6–12 months. Survival free from atrial arrhythmias lasting >30 seconds was compared between patients ablated with this tailored approach, and all consecutive patients with persistent AF treated with a PVI-only strategy during the same period. Results 158 Patients received ablation: 35 with the tailored approach (61,7±10,2 years; 29% females) and 123 with only PVI (62,5±9,6 years; 25% females; 89% cryoablation). Basal characteristics were similar (Table 1). In the tailored-approach group, 14 patients (40%) presented 28 detectable sites with continuous fractionated electrograms, 26 on the left atrium and 2 on the right atrium, which was only mapped if ablation of drivers in the left atrium was not successful; 12 (43%) were located within the pulmonary vein antra. 27 patients (77%) showed 103 sites with spatiotemporal dispersion (4 [3–5] per patient). Ablation success was achieved in 17 patients (48%; conversion to sinus rhythm, n=7; conversion to atrial flutter, n=10) in the tailored-approach group and 1 patient (0,8%, sinus rhythm) in the PVI-only group. Excluding a 3-month blanking period, the tailored approach, compared to only PVI, improved one-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias (71% Vs 51%, p=0,05) and mean survival free from atrial arrhythmias (26±3 months; 95% CI 21–32 months Vs 18±2 months; 95% CI 15–22 months) (Figure 1C), at the cost of a longer median procedural time (246 [212–277] vs 108 [81–143] min, p<0,001) and fluoroscopy time (51 [36–76] vs 33 [21–45] min, p<0,001). Conclusion Subjective identification and ablation of drivers, added to PVI, improved freedom from atrial arrhythmias. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Table 1. Basal characteristics Figure 1


2013 ◽  
Vol 106 (10) ◽  
pp. 501-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic A. Sebag ◽  
Najia Chaachoui ◽  
Nick W. Linton ◽  
Sana Amraoui ◽  
James Harrison ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Andy C. Kiser ◽  
Mark D. Landers ◽  
Ker Boyce ◽  
Matjaž šinkovec ◽  
Andrej Pernat ◽  
...  

Objective Transmural and contiguous ablations and a comprehensive lesion pattern are difficult to create from the surface of a beating heart but are critical to the successful treatment of persistent, isolated atrial fibrillation. A codisciplinary simultaneous epicardial (surgical) and endocardial (catheter) procedure (Convergent procedure) addresses these issues. Methods Patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation who failed medical treatment were evaluated. Using only pericardioscopy, the surgeon performed near-complete epicardial isolation of the pulmonary veins and a “box” lesion on the posterior left atrium using unipolar radiofrequency ablation. Simultaneous endocardial catheter radiofrequency ablation completed pulmonary vein isolation, performed a mitral annular and cavotricuspid isthmus line of block, and debulked the coronary sinus. Twelve-month results for the Convergent procedure were compared with 12-month results for concomitant and pericardioscopic (stand-alone transdiaphragmatic/thoracoscopic) atrial fibrillation procedures using unipolar radiofrequency ablation. Results Sixty-five patients underwent the Convergent procedure (mean age, 62 y; mean body surface area, 2.17 m2; mean atrial fibrillation duration, 4.8 y; mean left atrial size, 5.2 cm). Ninety-two percent were in persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. At 12 months, evaluation with 24-hour Holter monitors found 82% of patients in sinus rhythm, while only 47% of pericardioscopic and 77% of concomitant patients treated with unipolar radiofrequency ablation were in sinus rhythm. Conclusions Simultaneous epicardial and endocardial ablation improves outcomes for patients with persistent or longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation. This successful collaboration between cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist is an important treatment option for patients with large left atriums and chronic atrial fibrillation.


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