scholarly journals Short coupling with high burden of atrial ectopy in twenty-four hour holter recording predicts recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after atrial fibrillation ablation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Okajima ◽  
H Imai ◽  
Y Murase ◽  
N Kano ◽  
Y Ogawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrial arrhythmia recurrence is experienced in up to 20% of patients after initially receiving a catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, it is important to define predictors of atrial arrhythmia recurrence. Atrial ectopy (AE) with short coupling interval (S-AE) has been reported to be a trigger of AF. On the other hand, high burden of AE has been reported to be a useful predictor of atrial arrhythmia recurrences after AF ablation. Thus, the combination of the incidence of S-AE and AE burden during a 24-hour Holter recording could be a useful predictor of atrial arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablation. Purpose To investigate this hypothesis, we performed a retrospective case-controlled study. Methods We enrolled 180 patients who underwent their first catheter ablation procedure for AF and performed a 24-hour Holter recording between 90 to 365 days after their ablation procedure. Patients who performed an additional ablation procedure before the Holter recording were excluded. Finally, we analyzed 173 patients (age: 65±10 years, female: 28.3%, non-paroxysmal: 27.7%). The Holter recordings were analyzed by the same experienced technicians. We defined AE as a narrow QRS complex occurring >25% than prior R-R interval, and S-AE as AE occurring >55% earlier than expected. The relationship between the characteristics of AE during the Holter recording and atrial arrhythmia recurrences was investigated. Results The Holter recordings were performed at a median of 103 (IQR: 98–138) days after ablation. The median number of AE were 144 (IQR: 54–699) beats per day, and S-AE was recorded in 49 patients (28.3%). Forty-two patients (24.3%) had a recurrence of atrial arrhythmia during a median 488-day follow up period. Patients with S-AE had a recurrence of atrial arrhythmia more frequently than those without S-AE (44.9% vs 16.1%, p<0.001). We found the cut-off point of AE burden as 241 beats per day by the receiver operating characteristic curve with 74% sensitivity and 70% specificity to predict atrial arrhythmia recurrence. We divided the patients into four groups according to the presence or absence of S-AE and high AE burden. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with S-AE and high AE burden had the highest atrial arrhythmia recurrence rate (Log-rank test: p<0.001). In the Cox multivariate analysis, S-AE with high AE burden was an independent predictor of atrial arrhythmia recurrence (HR: 4.27, 95% CI: 2.32–7.85, p<0.001). Conclusion For AF patients who underwent their first catheter ablation, S-AE (>55% earlier than expected) with high AE burden (>241 beats per day) during the 24-hour Holter recording predicted recurrences of atrial arrhythmia. These results can help to develop follow-up strategies after AF ablation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Di Biase ◽  
Rodney Horton ◽  
Chintan Trivedi ◽  
Prasant Mohanty ◽  
Sanghamitra Mohanty ◽  
...  

Introduction: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is performed under fluoroscopic guidance and therefore carries radiation risk exposure for the both the patient and the operator. Three-dimensional mapping systems and newer technologies to allow non-fluoroscopic catheter visualization together with intracardiac echo have reduced but not abolished the fluoroscopy exposure. We aim to demonstrate the feasibility, the safety and the efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation without the use of fluoroscopy. Methods: A totally fluoro-less approach was developed for AF ablation at our Institution. 94 consecutive AF patients underwent zero fluoroscopy catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. In the zero fluoroscopy cases, the fluoroscopy arm was kept far away from the patient table. Access including double trans-septal, mapping with the Carto 3 system and ablation were all performed without fluoroscopy with the use of ICE and the Carto 3 system. These 94 patients were compared with 94 control patients matched for age, sex and type of AF who underwent AF ablation by the same operator with the use of fluoroscopy. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between fluoroless (N=94, Age=64.5 ± 10.1, 75.5% male, 48% paroxysmal) and control (N=94, Age=65.1 ± 9.9, 72.3% male, 50% paroxysmal) group. Non-PV triggers were detected and ablated in 51 (54.3%) and 56 (59.6%) patients in fluoroless and control group respectively (p=0.5). Average fluoro time in control group was 10.1 ± 4.7 minutes. Procedure duration was comparable (120.4 ± 25.8 vs. 122.2 ± 28.7, p =0.6). After the short term median follow-up of 4.5 (4 – 6.5) months, 10 (10.6 %) patients in flourless and 9 (9.6%) patients in control group experienced recurrences (p=0.8).One pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocenteis occurred in the fluoroless group. Conclusions: Our series show that zero fluoroscopy ablation of atrial fibrillation with the use of newer technologies is feasible, safe and efficacious at the short term follow up. Importantly in our series the double transeptal was performed without fluoroscopy and the ablation was not limited to the pulmonary veins only but included ablation of the posterior wall, the coronary sinus and the left atrial appendage.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Romero ◽  
Mohamed Gabr ◽  
Kavisha Patel ◽  
David Briceno ◽  
Juan Carlos Diaz ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Left atrial appendage electrical isolation (LAAEI) has been shown to improve freedom from all-atrial arrhythmia recurrence in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term efficacy and safety outcomes of LAAEI in patients with non-paroxysmal AF undergoing catheter ablation. Methods and results A systematic review of Medline, Cochrane, and Embase was performed for clinical studies evaluating the benefit of LAAEI in non-paroxysmal AF. Nine studies with a total of 2336 patients were included (mean age: 65 ± 9 years, 63% male). All studies included patients with persistent AF, long-standing persistent AF, or both. At a mean follow-up of 40.5 months, patients who underwent LAAEI had significantly higher freedom from all-atrial arrhythmia recurrence than patients who underwent standard ablation alone [69.3% vs. 46.4%; risk ratio (RR) 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42–0.69; P < 0.0001]. A 46% relative risk reduction and 22.9% absolute risk reduction in atrial-arrhythmia recurrence was noted with LAAEI. Rates of cerebral thromboembolism were not significantly different between the two groups (LAAEI 3% vs. standard ablation 1.6%, respectively; RR 1.76; 95% CI 0.61–5.04; P = 0.29). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the acute procedural complication rates between the two groups (LAAEI 4% vs. standard ablation 3%, respectively; RR 1.29; 95% CI 0.83–2.02; P = 0.26). Conclusion At long-term follow-up, LAAEI led to a significantly higher improvement in freedom from all-atrial arrhythmia recurrence in patients with non-paroxysmal AF, when compared to standard ablation alone. Importantly, this benefit was achieved without an increased risk of acute procedural complications or cerebral thromboembolic events.


Author(s):  
Mahmoud Houmsse ◽  
Emile Daoud

Esophageal injury still occurs with high frequency during ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study is to provide a review of methods to protect the esophagus from injury during AF ablation. Despite advances in imaging and ablation, the potential risk of esophageal injury during AF ablation remains an important concern with a high occurrence of esophageal injury (≈15%). There have been numerous studies evaluating varied techniques for esophageal protection including active cooling and displacement of the esophagus. These techniques are reviewed in this manuscript as well as the role of esophageal protection in managing patients undergoing AF ablation procedure.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Tae Yu ◽  
Tae-Hoon Kim ◽  
Jae-Sun Uhm ◽  
Jong-Youn Kim ◽  
Boyoung Joung ◽  
...  

Introduction: Although radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) increases a sinus heart rate (HR) after rhythm control, its mechanism and prognosis have not yet been clearly elucidated. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that post-procedural high sinus HR is associated with better clinical outcome of AF ablation without hemodynamic adverse effects. Methods: We included 991 AF patients (75% male, 58 ± 11 years old, 70% paroxysmal AF [PAF]) who had analyzable HR variability (HRV) at 3-months and 1-year after RFCA, and pre- and post-1-year echocardiogram. Average HR measured by 24-hour Holter greater than 2SD (≥92bpm) was defined as post-ablation high sinus HR. Results: 1. Average heart rate was increased significantly (68.8±13.1 to 71.4±10.7bpm, p<0.001), and high sinus HR (≥92bpm) was observed in 28 patients (2.8%) at 3-months after AF ablation. All of them tolerated well, 21% (6/28) were taking low dose β-blocker, and 36% (10/28) kept average HR≥92bpm at 1-year after RFCA. 2. High sinus HR was independently associated with pre-procedural high average HR (OR 1.097; 95% CI 1.029 to 1.169, p=0.005), high left atrial (LA) voltage (OR 3.545; 95% CI 1.183 to 10.618, p=0.024), and reduced rMSSD at 3-months HRV (OR 0.959; 95% CI 0.919 to 0.999, p=0.047). 3. At 1-year follow-up echocardiogram, LA reverse remodeling (ΔLA; -1.1±3.7 vs. -3.0±4.6mm, p=0.055) and the improvement of ejection fraction (ΔEF; 0.7±8.4 vs. 1.7±7.7%, p=0.529) were not significantly different between the patients with high sinus HR and those without. 4. During 27±17 months of follow-up, the patients with high sinus HR at 3-months after RFCA showed significantly lower clinical recurrence than those without (log rank, p=0.020). Conclusions: High sinus HR 3-months after AF ablation is observed in patients with less remodeled LA with significant post-procedure vagal modulation. High sinus HR after AF ablation did not show hemodynamic adverse effect and was associated with lower clinical recurrence rate of AF after RFCA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Morishima ◽  
Y Morita ◽  
K Takagi ◽  
Y Kanzaki ◽  
A Kobori ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist and interact to initiate and perpetuate each other. Several retrospective or small cohort studies have suggested that successful catheter ablation of AF may help to waive device implantations in patients with paroxysmal AF plus SSS, however, no prospective large studies are so far available on this scenario. Purpose We aimed to elucidate the device implantation-free survival after catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF with coexisting SSS in a prospective large-scale registry. We also determined the risk factors for device implantations after catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF. Methods The Kansai Plus Atrial Fibrillation (KPAF) study is a multi-center prospective registry that enrolled 5,019 consecutive patients that underwent an initial pulmonary vein isolation-based radiofrequency catheter ablation of AF. This study was comprised of 3,226 patients with paroxysmal AF registered in the KPAF study (age, 64.8±10.5 years old; female, n=999 [31.0%]; left atrial diameter [LAD], 37.5±8.0 mm; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], 65.3±8.4%, CHADS2 score, 1.09±1.05). The atrial tachyarrhythmia-free and device-free survivals after catheter ablation were compared between patients with SSS (n=368; tachy-brady syndrome, 88%) and without SSS (control; n=2,858). Results The atrial tachyarrhythmia-free survival was almost identical between the two groups both after the first ablation session (Fig.1A) and after the last procedure with an average of 1.3±0.5 sessions. At baseline, the devices had already been implanted in 53 (14.4%) SSS and 36 (1.3%) control patients. In the remaining patients, devices were newly implanted in 54 (17.1%) SSS and 62 (2.2%) control patients during the follow-up of 3 years after the catheter ablation (Figure 1B). In the SSS group, devices were implanted predominantly within 6 months after the catheter ablation, and atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence preceded the device implantation in 48 (89%) patients. Multivariate predictors of device implantations after the paroxysmal AF ablation included: SSS (hazard ratio [HR] 6.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.61–10.19, p<0.001), an age>75 years old (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.08–2.64, p=0.019), a female gender (HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.44–3.24, p<0.001), the LAD (mm) (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.08, p=0.006), and the LVEF (%) (95% CI 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98, p<0.001). Figure 1 Conclusions Device implantations could be waived in >80% of patients with SSS at 3 years of follow-up after the catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF in this real world all comer prospective registry. In addition to coexisting SSS, predictors of device implantations after paroxysmal AF ablation included: the elderly, a female gender, a large LA, and a reduced LVEF. Acknowledgement/Funding None


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Fujimoto ◽  
N Doi ◽  
K Hirai ◽  
M Naito ◽  
S Shizuta ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is associated with increased risks of mortality and hospitalization for heart failure (HF). Although prior studies reported that catheter ablation (CA) for AF in low LVEF patients reduced risks of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization, the predictors of worsening HF after ablation has not been adequately evaluated. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of improvement in LVEF after AF ablation on the incidence of subsequent HF hospitalization in patients with low LVEF. Methods The Kansai Plus Atrial Fibrillation (KPAF) Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling 5,013 consecutive patients undergoing first-time ablation for AF. The current study population consisted of 1,031 patients with reduced LVEF of <60%. We divided the study population into 3 groups according to LVEF at follow-up; 678 patients (65.8%) with improved LVEF (≥5 U change in LVEF), 288 patients (27.9%) with unchanged LVEF (−5 U ≤ change in LVEF <5 U) and 65 patients (6.3%) with worsened LVEF (<−5 U change in LVEF). Results During the median follow-up of 1067 [879–1226] days, patients improved LVEF had lower rate of HF hospitalization, compared with those with unchanged and worsened LVEF (2.1%, 8.0%, and 21.5%, respectively, P<0.0001). Recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias were documented in 43.5%, 47.2% and 67.7%, respectively (P=0.0008). Figure 1 Conclusion Among patients with reduced LVEF undergoing AF ablation, patients with subsequently improved LVEF in association with maintained sinus rhythm had markedly lower risk of HF hospitalization during follow-up as compared with those with unchanged or worsened LVEF.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
A A Simonyan ◽  
V N Kolesnikov ◽  
L I Vilenskiy ◽  
Yu S Krivosheev ◽  
D I Bashta ◽  
...  

<p><strong>Aim.</strong> This prospective randomized study was aimed to assess the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) after ablation procedure and antiarrhythmic drug therapy (AAD) in patients with paroxysmal AF by means of implantable cardiac monitors (ICM). <br /><strong>Methods.</strong> The study enrolled 92 patients with paroxysmal AF, who were eligible either for catheter ablation or AAD. The patients were randomized into two groups: 1) AAD + ICM implantation (group I; n=46), and 2) AF catheter ablation (CA) + ICM implantation (group II; n=46), and 2). The primary endpoint was AF progression according to ICM data. The AF progression was defined as AF burden &gt; 30%. A complication rate after ablation procedure and side effects of AAD were determined as the secondary endpoints. The follow up of this study was 24 months. <br /><strong>Results</strong>. By the end of the follow-up period, AF progression was observed in 27 (58.7%) patients in the AAD group and 10 (21.7%) patients in the CA group (р=0.0003; HR 0.37, 95% CI [0.17-0.76], р=0.007, Cox regression). 13 (28,3%) patients in the AAD group and 2 (4.3%) in the CA group (р=0.002) developed persistent AF. The complication rate in the AAD group was 24% (11 patients) and 6.5 % (3 patients) in the CA group (р=0.02).<br /><strong>Conclusion.</strong> Radiofrequency ablation of AF leads to a significant decrease in AF progression when compared with antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with paroxysmal AF, which was confirmed by implantable cardiac monitors data.</p><p>Received 12 July 2016. Accepted 22 August 2016.</p><p><strong>Funding:</strong> The study had no sponsorship.<br /><strong>Conflict of interest:</strong> The authors declare no conflict of interest.</p>


Author(s):  
Masato Hachisuka ◽  
Yuhi Fujimoto ◽  
Eiichiro Oka ◽  
Hiroshi Hayashi ◽  
Teppei Yamamoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Catheter ablation (CA) is an established treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Although coronary artery spasms (CAS) during or after ablation procedures have been described as a rare complication in some case reports, the incidence and characteristics of this complication have not been fully elucidated. The present observational study aimed to clarify the CAS in a large number of patients experiencing AF ablation. Methods A total of 2913 consecutive patients (male: 78%, mean 66 ± 10 years) who underwent catheter ablation of AF were enrolled. Results Nine patients (0.31%, mean 66 ± 10 years, 7 males) had transient ST-T elevation (STE). Eight out of the 9 patients had STE in the inferior leads. STE occurred after the transseptal puncture in 7 patients, after the sheath was pulled out of the left atrium in 1, and 2 h after the ablation procedure in 1. Six patients had definite angiographic CAS without any sign of an air embolization on the emergent coronary angiography. In the3 other patients, the STE improved either directly after an infusion of nitroglycerin or spontaneously before the CAG. The patients with CAS had a higher frequency of a smoking habit (89% vs. 53%; P = .04), smaller left atrial diameter (36 ± 6 vs. 40 ± 7; P = .07), and lower CHADS2 score (0.6 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 1.1; P = .004) than those without. Conclusions Although the incidence was rare (0.31%), CAS should be kept in mind as a potentially life-threatening complication throughout an AF ablation procedure especially performed under conscious sedation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.C Mansour ◽  
E.M Gillen ◽  
A Garman ◽  
S Rosemas ◽  
P.D Ziegler ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risk of stroke and progression to heart failure, and as a result, increased mortality. Catheter ablation can reduce AF burden, potentially allowing discontinuation from anticoagulant medication in some patients. Post ablation, guidelines recommend ECG monitoring in patients discontinuing anticoagulation to monitor potential AF recurrence. Short-term ECG monitors have lower detection rates for AF recurrence, while long-term insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) increase detection rates and the opportunity to manage and treat AF, when it recurs. Whether more intensive monitoring via ICMs translates to improvements in health outcomes or reduced costs is not well understood. Purpose We examined healthcare utilization/costs and anticoagulant discontinuation following AF ablation, in patients with vs. without ICM. Methods Patients with a catheter ablation for AF between January 1, 2011 - March 31, 2018 were identified in a large U.S. administrative claims database. Patients with ICM implant within 1 year pre- or post-ablation were propensity score matched to patients without ICM, based on: demographics, comorbidities, CHAD2S2-VASc score, medication use and healthcare costs in baseline. Results A total of 691 ICM patients were identified and matched 1:3 with 2,073 non-ICM patients. Mean age was 65 years, 38% were female, and mean (SD) CHAD2S2-VASc was 2.29 (1.53). During an average follow-up from ablation discharge of 37 (19) months, ICM patients incurred fewer AF- and HF-related hospitalizations: mean 0.51 (0.91) vs. 0.62 (1.56) AF-related, p=0.018, and 0.14 (0.48) vs. 0.24 (1.30) HF-related hospitalizations per patient, p=0.00. Correspondingly, average per-patient costs for AF- and HF-related hospitalizations were lower in the ICM cohort: $13,041 ($30,831) vs. $17,140 ($55,576), p=0.016 and $3,921 ($17,865) vs. $6,746 ($33,148), p=0.005. The ICM cohort had a greater number of AF-related clinic visits during follow-up: 14.2 (13.0) vs. 10.2 (11.7) visits per patient, p&lt;0.0001. The proportion of patients undergoing a repeat AF ablation during follow-up was higher in the ICM cohort (22.3% vs. 18.3%, P&lt;0.0001), while the proportion with cardioversions was lower (21.0% vs. 25.1%, p=0.031). In patients indicated for anticoagulation (CHAD2S2-VASc≥2), the rate of anticoagulant discontinuation (defined as gap in coverage ≥90 days) was high in both cohorts: 89.5% and 84.6% of patients in ICM and non-ICM groups, respectively. Conclusions AF ablation patients with ICM experienced fewer AF- and HF-related hospitalizations/costs and fewer cardioversions during follow-up. The greater number of AF-related clinic visits and repeat AF ablations observed in ICM patients indicate closer management. Of note, anticoagulant discontinuation was similarly high in the non-ICM cohort despite guidelines recommending rigorous cardiac monitoring for AF recurrence in the context of discontinuation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Medtronic


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