Pulmonary vein isolation procedure may be associated with intracranial artery microembolism and increased risk of acute neurological incidents

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Lasek-Bal ◽  
P Puz ◽  
J Wieczorek ◽  
S Nowak ◽  
A.M Wnuk-Wojnar ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation ablation can be associated with the microembolism detected in intracranial arteries and risk of acute neurological incidents. Purpose The aims of this study were a quantitative and a qualitative evaluation of microembolic signals (MES) during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and establishing the potential significance of MES for damage of brain assessed in radiological investigation and neurological state of patients. Methods To the prospective project we qualified patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous pulmonary vein isolation (radiofrequency ablation / balloon cryoablation) with ultrasound monitoring of microembolisms in right middle cerebral artery. Baseline and up to 12 months post pulmonary vein isolation the neurological examination and brain MRI were performed in all participants. Results The study enrolled 80 patients at a mean age of 58 years. Microembolisms during the monitoring of the flow in the right middle cerebral artery were recorded in 61 (76.3%) patients in the amount of 51–489 (mean 239). Most often the microembolic signals were registered during the trans-septal puncture and the stage of ablation. In 89%, microembolisms were gaseous. Mean score on Fazekas scale for the whole group before ablation: 0.87±0.7 (0–3, med. 1); after: 0.93±0.71. In 3 (4.3%) patients the lesions worsened during the follow-up period. None of the patients revealed a cardiovascular event during the follow-up period and no changes were observed in the neurological status. Conclusions The majority of cerebral microembolism generated during PVI are gaseous in nature. The cerebral microembolism associated with PVI probably result from the technical aspects of the procedure and do not cause neither the permanent brain damage in the radiological investigation nor neurological deficit. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland - statutory work

Heart Rhythm ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. S125-S126
Author(s):  
Takashi Yamasaki ◽  
Tetsuhisa Hattori Keisuke Ohta ◽  
Nobuyuki Miyai, Reo Nakamura ◽  
Takayoshi Sawanishi Noriyuki Kinosita ◽  
Ken Kakita

2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
pp. 1455-1460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiharu Soga ◽  
Hitoshi Okabayashi ◽  
Yoshio Arai ◽  
Takuya Nomoto ◽  
Jota Nakano ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Meisam Mokhtari ◽  
Zahra Khajali ◽  
Mona Heidarali ◽  
Majid Haghjoo

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly treated arrhythmia in clinical practice and is often found in association with an atrial septal defect (ASD). However, ASD closure rarely confers complete arrhythmia control. A 23-year-old man presented to our center with frequent episodes of palpitations. AF was documented in 12-lead electrocardiography, and echocardiography showed a secundum-type ASD, 14 mm in size, with a significant left-to-right shunt. ASD closure was performed successfully with an ASD occluder device with no residual shunting. During follow-up, the patient experienced several episodes of AF. Thirteen months after the ASD closure, cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation was done successfully with no complications. During a 12-month follow-up, he had no symptoms or AF recurrences, and echocardiography showed no residual shunting. This study showed that cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation could be performed successfully without residual shunts in patients with ASD closure devices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4S) ◽  
pp. 6-14
Author(s):  
T. Y. Chichkova ◽  
S. E. Mamchur ◽  
E. A. Khomenko

Aim. To estimate the clinical success of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).Methods.230 patients (males: 49.6%, mean age 57 (53; 62) with symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) resistant to antiarrhythmic therapy were included in a single-center prospective study. The patients were randomized into 2 groups to undergo either cryoballoon ablation (n = 122) or radiofrequency (RF) (n = 108) ablation. Both groups were comparable in baseline parameters. The follow-up period was 12 months. Clinical outcomes were estimated with the use of a three-stage scale. The rates of cardiovascular rehospitalizations, direct-current cardioversions and repeated ablations during were estimated within the follow-up. The quality of life (QoL) in the cryoablation group was measured using the AFEQT scale.Results.77% (n = 94) of patients in the cryoballoon ablation group and 71.3% (n = 77) of patients in the RF group (р = 0.71) demonstrated reported the optimal clinical effects. Both groups, cryo ablation and RF ablation, had similar rates of cardiovascular hospitalizations (23.8 vs 28.7%, OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.4; р = 0.39), direct-current cardioversions (12.3 vs 17.6%, OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.3–1.4; р = 0.26) and repeated ablations (9.8–11.1%, OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.4–2.0; р = 0.75). The patients treated with cryoballoon as opposed to RF ablation had significantly more successful usage of “pill-in-pocket” strategy – 14.8 vs 6.5% (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.01–6.2; р = 0.04). Significant improvements of the QoL parameters with strong size effect have been found in the cryoablation group, i.e. global score (GS) increased by 8.9±6.9 (95% CI 6.6–10.1; dCohen 1.2; р<0.001), symptoms (S) – by 8.3±7.9 (95% CI 4.2–8.8; dCohen 1.5; р<0.001), daily activities (DA) – by 10.0±6.9 (95% CI = 6.4–10.6; dCohen 0.9; р<0.001), treatment concerns (TC) – by 5.5±6.0 (95% CI 6.3–9.2; dCohen 1.2; р<0.001) and treatment satisfaction (TS) – by 5.5±6.0 (95% CI 5.4–9.8; dCohen 0.9; р<0.001).Conclusion.The both catheter-based technologies had comparable clinical success. Cryoablation was characterized by improvement in all QoL parameters based on the AFEQT score.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Tilz ◽  
C L Lenz ◽  
P S Sommer ◽  
N Sawan ◽  
R Meyer-Saraei ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Based on the assumption of trigger elimination, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) currently presents the gold standard of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Recently, rapidly spinning rotors or focal impulse formation has been raised as a crucial sustaining mechanism of AF. Ablation of these rotors may potentially obviate the need for trigger elimination with PVI. Purpose This study sought to compare the safety and effectiveness of Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation (FIRM) guided catheter ablation only with the gold standard of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal AF. Methods This was a post-market, prospective, single-blinded, randomized, multi-center trial. Patients were enrolled at three centers and equally (1:1) randomized between those undergoing conventional RF ablation with PVI (PVI group) vs. those treated with FIRM-guided RF ablation without PVI (FIRM group). Data was collected at enrollment, procedure, and at 7-day, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up visits. The study was closed early by the sponsor. At the time of study closure, any pending follow-up visits were waived. Results From February 2016 until February 2018, a total of 51 (out of a planned 170) patients (mean age 63±10.6 years, 57% male) were enrolled and randomized. Four patients withdrew from the study prior to treatment, resulting in 23 patients allocated to the FIRM group and 24 in the PVI group. Only 13 patients in the FIRM group and 11 patients in the PVI group completed the 12-month follow-up. Statistical analysis was not completed given the small number of patients. Single-procedure effectiveness (freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia recurrence after blanking period) was 52.9% (9/17) in the FIRM group and 85.7% (12/14) in the PVI group at 6 months; and 31.3% (5/16) in the FIRM group and 80% (8/10) in the PVI group at 12 months. Repeat procedures were performed in 45.8% (11/24) patients in the FIRM group and 7.4% (2/27) in the PVI group. The acute safety endpoint [freedom from procedure-related serious adverse events (SAE)] was achieved in 87% (20/23) of FIRM group patients and 100% (24/24) of PVI group patients. Procedure related SAEs occurred in three patients in the FIRM group: 1 femoral artery aneurysm and 2 injection site hematomas. No additional procedure-related SAEs were reported >7 days post-procedure. Conclusions These partial study effectiveness results reinforce the importance of PVI in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients and suggest that FIRM-guided ablation alone (without PVI) is not an effective strategy for treatment of paroxysmal AF in most patients. Further study is needed to understand the effectiveness of adding FIRM-guided ablation as an adjunct to PVI in this patient group. Acknowledgement/Funding Abbot


Author(s):  
Filip Casselman ◽  
Ihsan Bakir ◽  
Pedro Brugada ◽  
Peter Geelen ◽  
Francis Wellens ◽  
...  

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and results of isolated endoscopic pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using robotics. Methods Between November 2004 and December 2005, 13 patients (38.5% female) underwent robotic pulmonary vein isolation at our institution. Mean age was 46.8 ± 8.4 years and mean preoperative duration of atrial fibrillation was 52.7 ±31.5 months. Indication for surgery was symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or recurrence after percutaneous treatment (n = 3). Mean preoperative left atrial dimension was 38.5 ± 6.9 mm. The surgical procedure was performed off-pump as an isolated right chest approach. All procedures were performed using the Flex 10 microwave ablator (Guidant, Indianapolis, IN), which was positioned from the right side through the transverse sinus and around the 4 pulmonary veins. Postoperative drug regimen included sotalol and Coumadin. Mean follow-up was 8.5 ± 3.4 months. Results The procedure was successful in 11 patients. One patient needed conversion to median sternotomy for right pulmonary artery bleeding and a second patient had severe transverse sinus adhesions requiring conversion to a bilateral video-assisted small thoracotomy approach. No other morbidity occurred. Mean procedure time in successful cases was 2.7 ± 0.8 hours (range 1.7 to 4 hours). Permanent sinus rhythm was successfully restored in 10 of 13 patients (76.9% beyond 6 months). Nonsuccessful patients had markedly reduced symptoms and frequency of events. One patient required a left and another a right atrial flutter ablation during follow-up. Conclusions Robotic pulmonary vein isolation is a feasible procedure that has the potential to become a valid option in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D De Campos ◽  
L Puga ◽  
P Sousa ◽  
N Antonio ◽  
L Elvas

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Ablation Index (AI) software has been associated with better freedom from atrial arrhythmias after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). There is conflicting data regarding the relationship between high sensitivity cardiac Troponin I (Hs-cTnI) and arrhythmia recurrence. The objective was to evaluate the impact of AI on Hs-cTnI level and on ablation effectiveness quotient (AEQ) and to assess if these markers are predictors of arrhythmia recurrence.  Methods Prospective observational study of consecutive patients referred for PVI for paroxysmal AF ablation from October 2017 to June 2018 according to a pre-specified AI protocol. Procedural endpoints and 2-year follow-up outcomes were assessed and compared to a retrospective cohort of conventional PVI contact-force-guided group .  Results A total of 56 patients were included: 29 patients the AI group and 27 patients in the control group. The mean age was 60.5 ± 10.3 years, 48% males. Left ventricular ejection fraction (60 ± 6 % AI vs 61 ± 5 % control, P = 0.07) and left atrium diameter (43 ± 7 mm AI vs 44 ± 6 mm control, P = 0.58) were comparable between groups. First-pass isolation was shown to be higher in the AI group (79% AI vs 44%, p= 0.01). Mean number of radiofrequency applications was lower in the AI group (93 ± 24 vs 111 ± 30, P = 0.02). Average contact-force was similar between groups (17.6 ± 4.1 g vs 22.6 ± 10.7 g, P =0.166). Patients that performed PVI guided by the AI had lower Hs-cTnI (1815 ± 1146 ng/L vs 3274 ± 1696 ng/L, p &lt; 0.001) and lower AEQ (1.01 ± 0.7 ng/L/s vs 1.51 ± 0.7 ng/L/s, P = 0.011) compared to patients in the control group. During a mean follow-up of 26 ± 11 months, AF recurrence was documented in 10.3% of patients in the AI group and 22.2% in the control group (P = 0.223). Neither Hs-cTnI nor AEQ levels were predictors of arrhythmia recurrence.  Conclusions These data suggest that AI-guided catheter ablation is associated with reduced levels of of Hs-cTnI and AEQ. Neither Hs-cTnI and AEQ should be used to predict arrhythmia recurrence. Abstract Figure.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Futyma ◽  
L Zarebski ◽  
A Wrzos ◽  
M Futyma ◽  
P Kulakowski

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a cornerstone for catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF), however, long-term efficacy of PVI is frequently below expectations. PVI is invasive, expensive and may be associated with devastating complications. It has been postulated that vagally-mediated AF can be treated by attenuation of parasympathetic drive to the heart using cardioneuroablation by means of radiofrequency CA (RFCA) of the right anterior ganglionated plexus (RAGP), however, data in literature and guidelines are lacking. Purpose To examine the efficacy of RFCA targeting RAGP without PVI in management of vagal AF. Methods We included consecutive 9 male patients with vagal AF who underwent RFCA of RAGP without PVI. RAGP was targeted anatomically from the right atrium (RA) at the postero-septal area below superior vena cava (SVC) and from the left atrium (LA) if needed. The aim was to achieve &gt;30% increase in heart rate (HR) . The follow up consisted of regular visits and Holter ECG conducted every 3 months. Results A total number of 9 patients (age 52 ± 13) with vagally-mediated AF underwent RFCA of RAGP (mean RAGP RF time 147 ± 85, max power 34 ± 8W). The mean procedure time was 60 ± 29min. HR increase &gt;30% was achieved in 8 (89%) patients (pre-RF vs post-RF: 58 ± 8bpm vs 87 ± 12bpm, p = 0.00002) . Transseptal  to reach RAGP also from the LA was needed in 2 (22%) patients. There were no major complications during the procedures. The follow up lasted 6 ± 2 months. Antiarrhythmic drugs were discontinued in 8 (89%) patients. There was 1 (11%) AF recurrence in the patient in whom targeted HR acceleration during RFCA was not achieved. B-blockers were administered in  6 (67%) patients due to increased HR and such treatment was well tolerated by all. Conclusions Catheter ablation of RAGP without performing PVI is feasible and can be effective in majority of patients with vagally-mediated AF. Increased HR after such cardioneuroablation can be well controlled using b-blockers and is usually associated with mild symptoms. The role of cardioneuroablation for treatment of vagally-mediated AF needs to be determined in prospective trials. Abstract Figure. Cardioneuroablation in vagal AF


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.


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