scholarly journals Rotational activity presence and its impact in persistent atrial fibrillation follow-up

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G R Rios-Munoz ◽  
N Soto ◽  
P Avila ◽  
T Datino ◽  
F Atienza ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains sub-optimal, with low success in pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation procedures in long-standing-persistent AF patients. The maintenance mechanisms of AF are still under debate. Rotational activity (RA) events, also known as rotors, may play a role in perpetuating AF. The characterisation of these drivers during electroanatomical (EA) guided ablation procedures in relationship with follow-up and recurrence ratios in AF patients is necessary to design new ablation strategies to improve the AF treatment success. Purpose We report an AF patient cohort of endocardial mapping and PVI ablation procedures with additional RA events detected during the EA study. We aim to study the presence and distribution of RA in AF patients and its impact on AF recurrence when only PVI ablation is performed. Methods 75 persistent consecutive AF patients (age 60.7±9.8, 74.7% men) underwent EA mapping and RA detection with an automatic algorithm. The presence of RA was annotated on the EA map based on the unipolar electrograms (EGMs) registered with a 20-pole catheter. RA presence was analysed at different left atrial locations (37.2±14.8 sites per patient). AF recurrence was evaluated in follow-up after treatment. Results At follow-up (9±5 months), 50% of the patients presented AF recurrence. Patients with RA had more dilated atria in terms of volumes (p=0.002) and areas (p=0.001). Patients with RA exhibited higher mean voltage EGMs 0.6±0.3 mV vs 0.5±0.2 mV (p=0.036), with shorter cycle lengths 169.1±26.0 ms vs. 188.4±44.2 ms (p=0.044). Finally, patients with RA presented more AF recurrence rates than patients with no RA events (p=0.007). No significant differences were found in terms of comorbidities, e.g., heart failure, hypertension, COPD, stroke, SHD, or diabetes mellitus. Conclusions The results show that patients with more RA events and those with RA outside the PVI ablated regions presented higher AF recurrence episodes than those with no RA or events inside the areas affected by radio-frequency ablation. The study suggests that further ablation treatment of the areas harboring RA might be necessary to reduce the recurrence ratio in AF patients. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Sociedad Española de Cardiología

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N A Marston ◽  
R P Giugliano ◽  
J G Park ◽  
A Ruzza ◽  
P S Sever ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The 2019 ESC/EAS Dyslipidemia Guidelines recommend an LDL-C goal of <1.4 mmol/L (∼55 mg/dl) for patients with very high-risk ASCVD, and <1 mmol/L (∼40 mg/dl) for those with recurrent events within 2 years despite taking maximally tolerated statin therapy. The addition of PCSK9 inhibitors to statin therapy can achieve LDL-C levels well below 1 mmol/L in many patients, yet the clinical benefit of LDL-C lowering beyond this level has recently been questioned. Methods FOURIER was a cardiovascular outcomes trial comparing evolocumab vs. placebo in patients with stable ASCVD on optimized statin therapy with a median follow-up of 2.2 years. We performed an exploratory analysis to determine the consistency of CV risk reduction with LDL-C lowering below ∼1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) with evolocumab. We modeled the achieved LDL-C at 48 weeks in the two treatment arms as well as the percentage of LDL-C difference between the two arms that was due to LDL-C below ∼1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) as a function of baseline LDL-C. We then modeled the hazard ratio (HR) for the composite of CV death, MI or stroke (per 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL-C) with evolocumab vs. placebo as a function of baseline LDL-C. Results All 27,564 patients from FOURIER were included in this analysis. Patients with lower baseline LDL-C achieved lower LDL-C levels following evolocumab therapy, with achieved LDL-C typically being below 1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) once the baseline LDL-C was below 2.4 mmol/L (94 mg/dl) and reaching levels approaching 0.5 mmol/L (∼20 mg/dl). Accordingly, the further baseline LDL-C levels were below 2.4 mmol/L (94 mg/dl), the greater the proportion of the difference in achieved LDL-C between the evolocumab and placebo arms was due to LDL-C levels below ∼1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl), reaching nearly 40% of the difference in LDL-C between treatment arms (Upper Panel). Despite this, the clinical benefit of LDL-C lowering was not attenuated (p=0.78) (and even appeared greater), with robust reductions in risk of CV death, MI or stroke even when LDL-C was lowered to nearly 0.5 mmol/L (∼20 mg/dl) and having close to 40% of the LDL-C difference between treatment arms due to LDL-C lowering below ∼1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) (Lower Panel). Conclusion PCSK9 inhibitors added to statin therapy can achieve LDL-C well below 1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl). There is no evidence for attenuation of the clinical benefit of lowering LDL-C below this threshold. These data support lowering LDL-C to below 1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) in patients with ASCVD. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institute of Health


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Musat ◽  
N Milstein ◽  
R Shaw ◽  
A Bhatt ◽  
M Preminger ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is increasingly being used in patients (pts) with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there are limited data about the pattern of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in these pts. Objective To assess, using an implantable loop recorder (ILR), the patterns of AF recurrence following CB PVI in pts with persistent atrial fibrillation. Methods We enrolled consecutive pts with persistent AF ablation undergoing their first CB ablation. Other cavotricuspid isthmus ablation when indicated, no other ablation was performed. A Reveal LINQ ILR (Medtronic) was implanted <3 months following ablation; all pts had a minimum of 1-year follow-up. The recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia was determined and adjudicated; 4 distinct AF patterns were characterized (Figure). Results We studied 64 pts (66±9 years; 50 [78%] male; CHA2DS2-VASc 2.6±1.9) with persistent AF; 52 (81%) pts were on an antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) peri-ablation. During 803±361 days of follow-up, 33 (52%) pts had their 1st AF recurrence 91–365 days post-ablation and another 17 (27%) pts had their 1st AF recurrence >365 days post-ablation. No AF was seen in 14 (31%) pts. Most pts (33 of 50, 66%) with AF recurrence presented with 1 of 3 distinct patterns of paroxysmal AF (Figure), which ranged from 22 min to 124 hours. In 2/3 of these pts, all AF recurrences lasted <24 hours. Only 17 (34%) pts recurred with persistent AF. Conclusion Following single CB PVI, most pts with persistent AF remained free of persistent AF during long-term follow-up. Most pts with recurrent AF have 1 of 3 distinct patterns with episodes commonly last <24 hours. These data suggest that CB PVI ablation may halt AF progression in pts initially presenting with persistent AF.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Guhl ◽  
Donald Siddoway ◽  
Evan Adelstein ◽  
Samir Saba ◽  
Andrew Voigt ◽  
...  

Introduction: Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has emerged as an alternative to radiofrequency PVI for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The optimal ablation strategy for patients with persistent AF is unclear, as data on Cryoballoon PVI alone are limited. Methods: We analyzed a prospective registry of consecutive patients with persistent AF who underwent Cryoballoon PVI at a single center between 2011 and 2014. Patients were assessed for AF recurrence (including any atrial arrhythmia) after a 3 month blanking period at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and as needed for symptoms post PVI. Recurrence was based on typical symptoms or ECG/ event monitor evidence of AF. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate AF-free survival. Results: The 69 patients who underwent Cryoballoon PVI were aged 59 ± 8 years, 86% male, 54% HTN, had a CHADS2-VASC score 1.6 ± 1.2, and had a LA dimension 4.5 ± 0.6 cm. The AF recurrence-free rate at 1-year post-procedure was 59%. Overall, AF-free survival was 50% at the mean follow-up of 607 days. In comparing patients with persistent AF duration <1 year vs. >1 year, there was a trend toward greater AF recurrence-free rates in the <1 year group (66% vs 55%, p=0.09) Conclusions: Cryoballoon PVI appears to be an effective initial strategy in treating persistent AF, with an AF recurrence-free rate of 59% at 1 year.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Chung ◽  
Yasir Khan ◽  
Rao Kondapally ◽  
Manav Sohal ◽  
Debasish Banerjee

Abstract Background and Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and is difficult to treat with antiarrhythmics and anticoagulants due to abnormal metabolism and increased side effects. Catheter ablation if successful may be a safer alternative. This review evaluates the efficacy of catheter ablation therapy in CKD and haemodialysis (HD) patients. Method MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched with the following search terms: “(atrial fibrillation AND (chronic kidney disease OR renal failure OR renal function OR dialysis) AND ablation)” for journal articles of any language until December 2020. Two authors abstracted the data independently. Risk ratios were derived using random-effects meta-analysis. Results Of the initially identified 520 studies, 5 and 3 observational studies on CKD and HD patients respectively were found reporting AF recurrence rates. During a mean (SD) follow-up of 25.5 (9.8) months, CKD patients had a higher risk of AF recurrence compared to patients without CKD (RR 2.34, 95% CI 1.36-4.02, p&lt;0.01). The heterogenicity test showed there were significant differences between individual studies (I2 = 91%, 95% CI 82.2%-95.6%, p&lt;0.01). In a mean (SD) follow-up of 40.3 (20.8) months, HD patients may be at a higher risk of AF recurrence compared to healthy non-dialysis AF patients (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.64-2.30, p=0.55). Heterogeneity analysis showed the studies were heterogeneous (I2 92.3%, 95% CI 80.8%-96.9%, p &lt;0.01). Conclusion Our meta-analysis suggests patients with CKD and patients on HD are more likely to have AF recurrences after catheter ablation compared to AF patients who are otherwise healthy. However, more robust evidence from randomized controlled trials comparing catheter ablation and pharmaceutical rhythm therapy are urgently needed to guide therapy in this difficult to treat population.


2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Cervigón ◽  
Javier Moreno ◽  
Jorge García-Quintanilla ◽  
Julián Pérez-Villacastín ◽  
Francisco Castells

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence rates after successful ablation procedures are still high and difficult to predict. This work studies the capability of entropy measured from intracardiac recordings as an indicator for recurrence outcome. Intra-atrial recordings from 31 AF patients were registered previously to an ablation procedure. Four electrodes were located at the right atrium (RA) and four more at the left atrium (LA). Sample entropy measurements were applied to these signals, in order to characterize different non-linear AF dynamics at the RA and LA independently. In a 3 months follow-up, 19 of them remained in sinus rhythm, whereas the other 12 turned back to AF. Entropy values can be associated to a proarrhythmic indicator as they were higher in patients with AF recurrence (1.11±0.15 vs. 0.91±0.13), in persistent patients (1.03±0.19 vs. 0.96±0.15), and at the LA with respect to the RA (1.03±0.23 vs. 0.89±0.15 for paroxysmal AF patients). Furthermore, entropy values at the RA arose as a more reliable predictor for recurrence outcome than at the LA. Results suggest that high entropy values, especially at the RA, are associated with high risk of AF recurrence. These findings show the potential of the proposed method to predict recurrences post-ablation, providing additional insights to the understanding of arrhythmia.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Nairn ◽  
C Nagel ◽  
B Mueller-Edenborn ◽  
H Lehrmann ◽  
A Jadidi ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) through DO637/22-3 Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg through the Research Seed Capital (RiSC) program. Introduction Presence of left atrial (LA) fibrotic low voltage substrate (LVS) is associated with high risk for arrhythmia recurrences in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF). PVI and additional ablation of LVS - as identified by mapping in sinus rhythm (SR) or AF - has been reported to improve SR maintenance rates, despite differences of the extent and distribution of LA-LVS in SR versus AF.  Aims To study the relationship between SR and AF voltage maps, we sought to identify the optimal AF voltage threshold providing the highest concordance in the extent and distribution of LVS when comparing voltage maps in SR vs. AF. Methods Using the statistical shape modelling software Scalismo, the voltage information from the SR and AF maps (acquired prior to PVI) from 28 patients (66 ± 7 years, 46% male, 82% persistent AF) was projected onto a representative LA-geometry. Sensitivity and specificity of LVS identification were calculated for varying thresholds during AF and the correlation between the SR (threshold 0.5mV) and AF maps was assessed and areas of agreeing LVS classification (SR & AF) were identified for each patient. The data of all 28 patients were combined to a spatial histogram of agreement between SR and AF low voltage maps. Results  The correlation between SR and AF maps was high across all patients, with agreement at 60-95% of all mapped sites (Figure A: each red triangle represents one patient and the respective agreement of LVS classification and substrate extent).  The optimal AF threshold - to identify LA-LVS &lt;0.5 mV in SR - was 0.29 mV (Q1-3: 0.20-0.37 mV) and was independent of the underlying extent of LVS during SR (Figure A: each blue asterisk represents one patient and the corresponding AF threshold and substrate extent). Agreement between LVS in AF vs. SR was high across most (&gt;90) patients on the anterior LA, lateral LA and the left atrial appendage. Lower agreement (60% of patients) was observed in the posterior wall (Figure B). Conclusions SR and AF voltage maps reveal high spatial concordance in low voltage substrate at the anterior LA, lateral LA and LA appendage, however significant discordances in LVS are found in 40% of patients at the posterior LA. Further studies on an extended patient cohort should assess if regional voltage-thresholds would result in an improved substrate concordance between AF and SR substrate maps. Abstract Figure.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Jakob ◽  
A Klesen ◽  
B Allegrini ◽  
E Darkow ◽  
D Aria ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Ministry of Science, Research and Arts Baden-Württemberg (MWK-BW Sonderlinie Medizin) Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia of increasing prevalence. One of the important indicators for AF is sustained atrial dilatation, highlighting the importance of mechanical overload in the pathophysiology of AF. The mechanisms by which atrial cells, including fibroblasts, sense and react to such changing mechanical forces, are not fully elucidated. Here, we characterise stretch-activated ion channels (SAC) in human atrial fibroblasts and changes in their expression and activity associated with AF. Using primary cultures of human atrial fibroblasts, isolated from patients in sinus rhythm or with sustained AF, we combine electrophysiological, molecular and pharmacological tools to identify SAC. Two electrophysiological SAC-signatures were detected, indicative of cation-nonselective and potassium-selective channels. Using siRNA-mediated knockdown, we identified the nonselective SAC as Piezo1. Biophysical properties of the potassium-selective channel and its pharmacology indicated presence of ‘big potassium channels’, BKCa. In cells from AF patients, Piezo1 activity and mRNA expression levels were higher than in cells from sinus rhythm patients, while BKCa activity (but not expression) was downregulated. Both Piezo1-knockdown and removal of extracellular calcium from the patch pipette resulted in a significant reduction of stretch-induced BKCa current. No co-immunoprecipitation of Piezo1 and BKCa was detected. Human atrial fibroblasts express functional Piezo1 and BKCa channels. While Piezo1 is directly stretch-activated, the increase in BKCa activity during mechanical stimulation appears to be mainly secondary to calcium influx via SAC such as Piezo1. During sustained AF, Piezo1 is increased, while BKCa activity is reduced, highlighting differential regulation of both channels. Our data show the presence and activity of Piezo1 and BKCa in human atrial fibroblasts and suggest an interplay between the two in the absence of direct physical interactions.


Author(s):  
Takatoshi Shigeta ◽  
Yasuteru Yamauchi ◽  
Yuichiro Sagawa ◽  
Atsuhito Oda ◽  
Shinichi Tachibana ◽  
...  

Introduction: Detailed clinical outcomes of cryoballoon ablation of the left atrial (LA) posterior wall (LAPW) in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been fully examined. Methods: We analyzed the outcomes of 191 patients with non-paroxysmal AF, of whom 135 underwent cryoballoon ablation of the LAPW including the LA roof in addition to pulmonary vein isolation with a cryoballoon. Results: Complete conduction block at the LA roof was obtained in 97.0% (131/135) of patients and LAPW was isolated in 85.2% (115/135) of patients. Over 372 days (range, 182–450 days) of follow-up, atrial arrhythmia recurrence was observed in 55 (40.7%) patients, and atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence accounted for 25.5% of cases. The prevalence of LA roof cryoballoon ablation tended to be higher in patients without recurrence than those with (74.3% vs. 61.8%, respectively; p=0.11), especially those with persistent AF recurrence (74.5% vs. 46.2%, p=0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that cryoballoon ablation of the LA roof was a predictor of freedom from persistent AF recurrence and that it was not associated with AT recurrence. Durable LA roof lesions were confirmed in 18 (72.0%) of 25 patients who underwent redo ablation. Conclusion: Cryoballoon ablation of the LAPW leads to a sufficient acute success rate of complete conduction block and durable lesions of the LA roof without increasing the risk of AT recurrence. The prevalence of persistent AF recurrence decreases after additional cryoballoon ablation of the LAPW in patients with non-paroxysmal AF.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 888-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Boersma ◽  
Edward Koźluk ◽  
Giampiero Maglia ◽  
João de Sousa ◽  
Olaf Grebe ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims The GOLD AF Registry has been designed to prospectively assess the population, indications, and outcomes using second-generation phased radiofrequency (RF) ablation (pulmonary vein ablation catheter GOLD) in a global examination of standard-of-care use for the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and results GOLD AF (NCT02433613) is a prospective, observational, multi-centre registry designed to characterize efficacy and safety of phased RF ablation in patients with AF. The primary endpoint was freedom from AF recurrence at 12-month follow-up after a 90-day blanking period. Ancillary objectives include safety, procedural efficiency, and quality of life (QoL). The QoL assessment using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Score of AF-related symptoms was collected at baseline and 12 months. In total, 1054 patients were included in this analysis (age 60.6, 67.6% male, 26.5% PersAF). Kaplan–Meier estimate of freedom from AF recurrence was 77.7% at 12 months. Peri-procedural device or procedure-related complications were observed in 26 (2.5%) patients, with a low stroke rate of 0.3%. One-year post-ablation, the EHRA AF Symptom score decreased in 68% of patients. The AFEQT score improvement was observed in 88.4% and 90.4% of patients who completed the questionnaire in-person or interviewed by phone at 12 month follow-up, respectively. Conclusion Phased RF ablation for the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent AF demonstrated a 77.7% freedom from AF recurrence at 12 months in addition to a significant reduction in arrhythmia symptoms and clinically meaningful improved QoL. Low peri-procedural complication rate of &lt;3% was reported.


Author(s):  
Celestino Sardu ◽  
Gaetano Santulli ◽  
Germano Guerra ◽  
Maria Consiglia Trotta ◽  
Matteo Santamaria ◽  
...  

Objectives: To evaluate atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and Sarcoplasmic Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA) levels in patients treated by epicardial thoracoscopic ablation for persistent AF. Background: Reduced levels of SERCA have been reported in the peripheral blood cells of patients with AF. We hypothesize that SERCA levels can predict the response to epicardial ablation. Methods: We designed a prospective, multicenter observational study to recruit, from October 2014 to June 2016, patients with persistent AF receiving an epicardial thoracoscopic pulmonary vein isolation. Results: We enrolled 27 patients; responders patients (n=15) did not present AF recurrence after epicardial ablation at 1-year follow-up. These patients displayed a marked remodeling of the left atrium, with a significant reduction of inflammatory cytokines, B type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), and over expression of SERCA as compared to baseline and to non-responders (p&lt;0.05). Furthermore, mean AF duration (HR 1.235 [1.037-1.471], p&lt;0.05), LAV (HR 1.755 [1.126-2.738], p&lt;0.05), BNP (HR 1.945 [1.895-1.999], p&lt;0.05), and SERCA (HR 1.763 [1.167-2.663], p&lt;0.05) were predictive of AF recurrence. Conclusions: Our data indicate that baseline values of SERCA in patients with persistent AF might be predictive of failure to epicardial ablative approach. Intriguingly, epicardial ablation was associated with increased levels of SERCA in responders. Therefore, SERCA might be an innovative therapeutic target to improve the response to epicardial ablative treatments.


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