Abstract
Background
The visually guided laser balloon ablation is a balloon-based catheter ablation technology used for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in recent years. This balloon catheter consists of a compliant balloon that has the capability of real-time endoscopic visualization of the targeted pulmonary vein (PV). The sizeable balloon is usually inflated to obtain optimal PV occlusion. The isolation area after laser balloon (LB) ablation was reported to be smaller than that after cryoballoon ablation. However, when LB is inflated with its maximum pressure, it can visualize wide-area PV antrum. Thereby, we suspected that larger-size LB can create wider isolation area.
Purpose
The aim of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the isolation area after LB ablation at the size larger than appropriate size for ablation in the pulmonary vein carina region.
Methods
We assessed 66 patients with AF who underwent LB ablation at the larger inflation size in our hospital during the period from July 2018 to July 2019. After LB ablation, we created voltage maps with a circular mapping catheter and calculated isolation areas with CARTO system.
Results
Figure shows a larger LB with its maximum pressure. PV antrum isolation was extended to the posterior wall in all patients. The left- and right-sided pulmonary vein antrum isolation area were 15.1±3.9 and 19.4±4.3 cm2, respectively.
Conclusion
LB at the larger inflation size with its maximum pressure can isolate wider-area circumferential PV antrum than previously reported. This method may be a new way of pulmonary vein antrum isolation.
Left atrial voltage mapping after PVI.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using a Visually Guided Laser Balloon Catheter