The German CArdioSurgEry Atrial Fibrillation Registry: In-Hospital Outcomes

Author(s):  
Mahmoud Wehbe ◽  
Marc Albert ◽  
Thorsten Lewalter ◽  
Taoufik Ouarrak ◽  
Jochen Senges ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to describe outcomes of patients undergoing surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) as either stand-alone or concomitant cardiosurgical procedures in Germany. Methods Patients with AF undergoing concomitant or stand-alone surgical ablation were included in the registry. Cardiac surgery centers across Germany were invited to participate and sought to enroll 1,000 consecutive patients. Data was obtained through electronic case report forms. The protocol mandated follow-up interviews at 1 year. Results Between January 2017 and April 2020, 17 centers enrolled 1,000 consecutive patients. Among concomitant surgical patients (n = 899), paroxysmal AF was reported in 55.4% patients. Epicardial radio frequency (RF) bilateral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with excision of the left atrial appendage (LAA) was the most common operative strategy. In the stand-alone cohort (n = 101), persistent AF forms were reported in 84.1% of patients. Moderate-to-severe symptoms were reported in 85.1%. Sixty-seven patients had previously underwent at least two failed catheter ablative procedures. Thoracoscopic epicardial RF bilateral PVI and completion of a “box-lesion” with LAA closure were frequently preformed. Major cardiac and cerebrovascular complications occurred in 38 patients (4.3%) in the concomitant group. No deaths were reported in the stand-alone group. At discharge, sinus rhythm was achieved in 88.1% of stand-alone and 63.4% concomitant patients. Conclusion The CArdioSurgEry Atrial Fibrillation registry provides insights into surgical strategies for AF ablation in a considerable cohort across Germany. This in-hospital data demonstrates that concomitant and stand-alone ablation during cardiac surgery is safe and effective with low complication rates.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Kozmik ◽  
J Pisarenko ◽  
N Mainhard ◽  
W Weissenberger ◽  
F Mourad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Left atrial appendix, as an essential source of systemic embolism and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, can be excluded during cardiac surgery, however the clinical benefit is as yet uncertain. Methods A total of 376 out of 3741 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation presenting a high risk for stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc-Score ≥2 for men and ≥3 for women) who underwent heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between 01/2012 and 12/2015 were analysed for mortality and stroke rate at 30 days, 12 and 24 months. Patients with concomitant LAA-closure alone (group1; n=107) were compared to patients with concomitant surgical ablation and LAA-closure (group2; n=85), and patients without surgical ablation and no LAA-closure (group3; n=184) as controls. To further adjust for pre- and intraoperative risk factors, a propensity score stratification analysis based on patients age, gender, EuroSCORE-2, CHA2DS2-VASc-Score and type of procedure was performed. Results Patients age was 72±8 years (mean±SD) and 33% were female. EuroSCORE-2 was 8.7±7.7%, 5.7±3.9%, and 5.4±8.4% and CHA2DS2-VASc-Score was 4.2±1.5, 3.9±1.4, and 4.1±1.4 on average for the respective groups. Mortality did not differ between groups at 30 days, 12 and 24 months. The incidence of stroke was 1.9% at 30 days, 4.8% at 12 and 6.7% at 24 months in group1. There was no stroke at 30 days and 12 months and 1.3% at 24 months in group2, and 1.8% at 30 days, 3.0% at 12 and 24 months in control group3. The overall mortality at 24 months was 27.1%, 20% and 24.6% respectively. After propensity score stratification, stroke rate showed significant benefit in group 2 (P=0.05) at 12 months and a hazard ratio of 0.17, 95% confidents limits 0.02–1.50, (P=0.08) at 24 months, whereas overall mortality did not significantly differ between the groups at 12 and 24 months follow-up. Conclusions In this propensity score stratification analysis, patients undergoing cardiac surgery with surgical ablation and concomitant LAA-closure had significant fewer strokes at 12 months follow-up compared to patients undergoing cardiac surgery with LAA-closure alone. Overall mortality did not significantly differ between the groups. Therefore, a concomitant LAA closure during heart surgery without additional surgical ablation does not show any clinical benefit in terms of reduced stroke rate or survival until 12 and 24 months follow-up.


Author(s):  
Manuel Wilbring ◽  
Friedrich Jung ◽  
Christoph Weber ◽  
Klaus Matschke ◽  
Michael Knaut

Objective Most of the detected thrombi in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) can be found in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Interventional LAA closure recently proved to be noninferior to warfarin therapy. Whether these results can be fully translated into surgical LAA closure remains unclear. Corresponding data are still lacking. The present observational study evaluated the impact of surgical LAA closure in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery on postoperative thromboembolic events. Methods A prospective registry enrolled 398 patients with permanent AF undergoing cardiac surgery. Concomitant procedures were isolated surgical ablation (group I, n = 71), isolated LAA closure (group II, n = 44), and combined surgical ablation and LAA closure (group III, n = 196). The control group consisted of 87 patients without concomitant surgical ablation or LAA closure. One-year follow-up was completed in all patients. End points were thromboembolic events and death from any cause. Results Clinical baseline characteristics were comparable among the groups. General hospital mortality was 5.5% and likewise differed not significantly. Postoperatively, mean (SD) CHAD2S2-VASc score of 3.5 (1.3) differed not significantly among the groups, indicating comparable thromboembolic risk. Follow-up referred to all hospital survivors (n = 376). Herein, overall incidence of thromboembolic events was 9.8% (n = 37), with an associated mortality of 41.0%. Patients with LAA closure alone or in combination with surgical ablation had a significantly reduced incidence of thromboembolic events (6.6% vs 20.5%, P < 0.01) and consecutively improved survival after 1 year of follow-up (7.0% vs 17.1%, P < 0.01). Conclusions Left atrial appendage closure alone or in combination with surgical ablation was associated with a significantly reduced rate of thromboembolic events and consecutively improved survival after 1 year of follow-up.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lauritzen ◽  
H.J Vodstrup ◽  
T.D Christensen ◽  
M Onat ◽  
R Christensen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc have utility in predicting long-term outcomes. However, it is currently unknown if the same holds for patients undergoing surgical ablation. Purpose To determine whether CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc predict long-term outcomes after surgical ablation in concomitance with other cardiac surgery. Methods In this prospective, follow-up study, we included patients who underwent biatrial ablation - or pulmonary vein isolation procedure concomitantly with other cardiac surgery between 2004 and 2018. CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were assessed prior to surgery and categorized in groups as 0–1, 2–4 or ≥5. Outcomes were death, AF, and AF-related death. Follow-up was ended in April 2019. Results A total of 587 patients with a mean age of 68.7±0.4 years were included. Both CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were predictors of survival p=0.005 and p&lt;0.001, respectively (Figure). For CHADS2, mean survival times were 5.9±3.7 years for scores 0–1, 5.0±3.0 years for scores 2–4 and 4.3±2.6 years for scores ≥5. For CHA2DS2-VASc mean survival times were 7.3±4.0 years for scores 0–1, 5.6±2.9 years for scores 2–4 and 4.8±2.1 years for scores ≥5. The incidence of death was 20.1% for CHADS2 0–1, 24.8% for CHADS2 2–4, and 35.3% for CHADS2 ≥5, p=0.186. The incidence of AF was 50.2% for CHADS2 0–1, 47.9% for CHADS2 2–4, and 76.5% for CHADS2 ≥5, p=0.073. The incidence of AF related death was 13.0% for CHADS2 0–1, 16.8% for CHADS2 2–4, and 35.3% for CHADS2 ≥5, p=0.031. The incidence of death was 16.8% for CHA2DS2-VASc 0–1, 26.2% for CHA2DS2-VASc 2–4, and 45.0% for CHA2DS2-VASc ≥5, p=0.001. The incidence of AF was 49.6% for CHA2DS2-VASc 0–1, 52.5% for CHA2DS2-VASc 2–4, and 72.5% for CHA2DS2-VASc ≥5, p=0.035. The incidence of AF related death was 12.2% for CHA2DS2-VASc 0–1, 16.0% for CHA2DS2-VASc 2–4, and 42.5% for CHA2DS2-VASc ≥5, p&lt;0.001. Conclusion Both CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores predict long-term outcomes after surgical ablation for AF. However, CHA2DS2-VASc was superior in predicting death, AF, and AF-related death. Survival curves Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Author(s):  
Davy C. H. Cheng ◽  
Niv Ad ◽  
Janet Martin ◽  
Eva E. Berglin ◽  
Byung-Chul Chang ◽  
...  

Objectives This meta-analysis sought to determine whether surgical ablation improves clinical outcomes and resource utilization compared with no ablation in adult patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods A comprehensive search was undertaken to identify all randomized (RCT) and nonrandomized (non-RCT) controlled trials of surgical ablation versus no ablation in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery up to April 2009. The primary outcome was sinus rhythm. Secondary outcomes included survival and any other reported clinically relevant outcome or indicator of resource utilization. Odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were analyzed as appropriate using the random effects model. Heterogeneity was measured using the I2 statistic. Meta-regression was performed to explore the relationship between the benefit from surgical AF and duration of follow-up. Results Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria (10 RCTs and 23 non-RCTs) for a total of 4647 patients. The number of patients in sinus rhythm was significantly improved at discharge in the surgical AF ablation group versus (68.6%) the surgery alone group (23.0%) in RCTs (OR 10.1, 95% CI 4.5–22.5) and non-RCTs (OR 7.15, 95% CI 3.42–14.95). This effect on sinus rhythm (74.6% vs. 18.4%) remained at follow-up of 1 to 5 years (OR 6.7, 95% CI 2.8–15.7 for RCT, and OR 15.5, 95% CI 6.6–36.7 for non-RCT). The risk of all-cause mortality at 30 days was not different between the groups in RCT (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.52–3.16) or non-RCT studies (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.52–1.87). In studies reporting all-cause mortality at 1 year or more (up to 5 years), mortality did not differ in RCT studies (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.59–2.51) but was significantly reduced in non-RCT studies (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31–0.96). Stroke incidence was not reduced significantly; however, in meta-regression, the risk of stroke decreased significantly with longer follow-up. Other clinical outcomes were similar between groups. Operation time was significantly increased with surgical AF ablation; however, overall impact on length of stay was variable. Conclusions In patients with persistent or permanent AF who present for cardiac surgery, the addition of surgical AF ablation led to a significantly higher rate of sinus rhythm in RCT and non-RCT studies compared with cardiac surgery alone, and this effect remains robust over the longer term (1–5 years). Although non-RCT studies suggest the possibility of reduced risk of stroke and death, this remains to be proven in prospective RCTs with adequate power and follow-up.


Author(s):  
Mohsin Uzzaman ◽  
Imthiaz Manoly ◽  
Mohini Panikkar ◽  
Maciej Matuszewski ◽  
Nicolas Nikolaidis ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND/AIM To evaluate outcomes of concurrent Cox-Maze procedures in elderly patients undergoing high-risk cardiac surgery. MEHODS We retrospectively identified patients aged over 70 years with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) from 2011 to 2017 who had two or more other cardiac procedures. They were subdivided into two groups: 1. Cox-Maze IV AF ablation 2. No-Surgical AF treatment. Patients requiring redo procedures or those who had isolated PVI or LAAO were excluded. Heart rhythm assessed from Holter reports or 12-lead ECG. Follow-up data collected through telephone consultations and medical records. RESULTS There were 239 patients. Median follow up was 61 months. 70 patients had Cox-Maze IV procedures (29.3%). Demographic, intra- and post-operative outcomes were similar between groups although duration of pre-operative AF was shorter in Cox-Maze group (p=0.001). One (1.4%) patient in Cox maze group with 30-day mortality compared to 14 (8.2%) the control group (p=0.05). Sinus rhythm at annual and latest follow-up was 84.9% and 80.0% respectively in Maze group - significantly better than No-Surgical AF treatment groups (P<0.001). 160 patients (66.9%) were alive at long-term follow-up with better survival curves in Cox Maze group compared to No-Surgical treatment group (p=0.02). There was significantly higher proportion of patients in NYHA 1 status in Cox-Maze group (p=0.009). No differences observed in freedom from stroke (p=0.80) or permanent pacemaker (p=0.33). CONCLUSIONS. Surgical ablation is beneficial in elderly patients undergoing high-risk surgery - promoting excellent long-term freedom from AF and symptomatic/prognostic benefits. Therefore, surgical risk need not be reason to deny benefits of concomitant AF-ablation.


Cor et Vasa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. e323-e328
Author(s):  
Lukáš Mach ◽  
Vladimír Horváth ◽  
Eva Jakubcová ◽  
Katarína Kovačičová ◽  
Zdenko Kasáč ◽  
...  

Heart Rhythm ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1334-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Osmancik ◽  
Petr Budera ◽  
David Talavera ◽  
Jan Hlavicka ◽  
Dalibor Herman ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Soo Baek ◽  
Oh-Seok Kwon ◽  
Byounghyun Lim ◽  
Song-Yi Yang ◽  
Je-Wook Park ◽  
...  

Background: Clinical recurrence after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA) still remains high in patients with persistent AF (PeAF). We investigated whether an extra-pulmonary vein (PV) ablation targeting the dominant frequency (DF) extracted from electroanatomical map–integrated AF computational modeling improves the AFCA rhythm outcome in patients with PeAF.Methods: In this open-label, randomized, multi-center, controlled trial, 170 patients with PeAF were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to the computational modeling-guided virtual DF (V-DF) ablation and empirical PV isolation (E-PVI) groups. We generated a virtual dominant frequency (DF) map based on the atrial substrate map obtained during the clinical AF ablation procedure using computational modeling. This simulation was possible within the time of the PVI procedure. V-DF group underwent extra-PV V-DF ablation in addition to PVI, but DF information was not notified to the operators from the core lab in the E-PVI group.Results: After a mean follow-up period of 16.3 ± 5.3 months, the clinical recurrence rate was significantly lower in the V-DF than with E-PVI group (P = 0.018, log-rank). Recurrences appearing as atrial tachycardias (P = 0.145) and the cardioversion rates (P = 0.362) did not significantly differ between the groups. At the final follow-up, sinus rhythm was maintained without any AADs in 74.7% in the V-DF group and 48.2% in the E-PVI group (P &lt; 0.001). No significant difference was found in the major complication rates (P = 0.489) or total procedure time (P = 0.513) between the groups. The V-DF ablation was independently associated with a reduced AF recurrence after AFCA [hazard ratio: 0.51 (95% confidence interval: 0.30–0.88); P = 0.016].Conclusions: The computational modeling-guided V-DF ablation improved the rhythm outcome of AFCA in patients with PeAF.Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service, CRIS identifier: KCT0003613.


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