Predictors of recurrence after durable pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract Aims Catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) reduces AF recurrence, AF burden, and improves quality of life. Data on clinical and procedural predictors of arrhythmia recurrence are scarce and are flawed by the high rate of pulmonary vein reconnection evidenced during repeat procedures after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). In this study, we identified clinical and procedural predictors for AF recurrence 1 year after CLOSE-guided PVI, as this strategy has been associated with an increased PVI durability. Methods and results Patients with paroxysmal AF, who received CLOSE-guided PVI and who participated in a prospective trial in our centre, were included in this study. Uni- and multivariate models were plotted to find clinical and procedural predictors for AF recurrence within 1 year. Three hundred twenty-five patients with a mean age of 63 years (CHA2DS2VASc 1 [1–3], left atrium diameter 41 ± 6 mm) were included. About 60.9% were male individuals. After 1 year, AF recurrence occurred in 10.5% of patients. In a binary logistic regression analysis, the diagnosis-to-ablation time (DAT) was found to be the strongest predictor of AF recurrence (P = 0.011). Diagnosis-to-ablation time ≥1 year was associated with a nearly two-fold increased risk for developing AF recurrence. Conclusion The DAT is the most important predictor of arrhythmia recurrence in low-risk patients treated with durable pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal AF. Whether reducing the DAT could improve long-term outcomes should be investigated in another trial.

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Radiofrequency vs. Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Durability of Pulmonary Vein Isolation and Effect on AF Burden: The RACE-AF Randomized Controlled Trial

Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology ◽

10.1161/circep.120.009573 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Samuel K. Sørensen ◽

Arne Johannessen ◽

René Worck ◽

Morten L. Hansen ◽

Jim Hansen

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Catheter Ablation ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Pulmonary Veins ◽

Primary Methods ◽

Second Procedure ◽

Af Recurrence

Background - Recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) after catheter ablation is presumably caused by failure to achieve durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The primary methods of PVI are radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CRYO) catheter ablation, but these methods have not been directly compared with respect to PVI durability and the effect thereof on AF burden (% of time in AF). Methods - Accordingly, we performed a randomized trial including 98 patients (68% male, 61 [55-67] years) with PAF assigned 1:1 to PVI by contact-force sensing, irrigated RF catheter or second-generation CRYO catheter. Implantable cardiac monitors were inserted ≥1 month before PVI for assessment of AF burden and recurrence, and all patients, irrespective of AF recurrence, underwent a second procedure 4-6 months after PVI to determine PVI durability. Results - In the second procedure, 152/199 (76%) pulmonary veins (PVs) were found durably isolated after RF and 161/200 (81%) after CRYO (NS), corresponding to durable isolation of all veins in 47% of patients in both groups (NS). Median AF burden before PVI was 5.4% (interquartile range: 0.5-13.0%) vs. 4.0% (0.6-18.1%), RF vs. CRYO, and reduced to 0.0% (0.0-0.1%) and 0.0% (0.0-0.5%), respectively - a reduction of 99.9% (92.9-100.0%) and 99.3% (85.9-100.0%) (all NS). AF burden after PVI significantly correlated to the number of durably isolated PVs (p < 0.01), but 9/45 (20%) patients with durable isolation of all veins had recurrence of AF within 4-6 months after PVI (excluding a 3-month blanking period). Conclusions - PVI by RF and CRYO catheter ablation produce similar moderate to high PVI durability. Both treatments lead to marked reductions in AF burden, which is related to the number of durably isolated PVs. However, for one fifth of PAF patients, complete and durable PVI was not sufficient to prevent even short-term AF recurrence.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Autonomic denervation added to pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a randomized clinical trial.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.718085390.793483917 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Jan Amlie

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Autonomic Denervation

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Point-by-Point Radiofrequency Ablation Versus the Cryoballoon or a Novel Combined Approach: A Randomized Trial Comparing 3 Methods of Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (The Cryo Versus RF Trial).

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.726055362.793537239 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Richard Bond

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Radiofrequency Ablation ◽

Randomized Trial ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Combined Approach

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Changes of QT interval in the acute phase after pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0414 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

A Chikata ◽

T Kato ◽

K Ududa ◽

S Fujita ◽

K Otowa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Female Patient ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Acute Phase ◽

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Qt Interval ◽

Qt Prolongation ◽

Qtc Interval ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) affects ganglionated plexi (GP) around the atrium, leading to a modification of the intrinsic cardiac autonomic system (ANS). In animal models, GP ablation has a potential risk of QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. However, the impact of PVI on QT intervals in humans remains unclear. Purpose This study aims to evaluate the Impact of PVI on QT interval in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Methods We analyzed consecutive 117 PAF patients for their first PVI procedures. 12-lead ECG was evaluated at baseline, 4 hr, day 1, 1 month, and 3 months after ablation. Only patients with sinus rhythm on 12-lead ECG at each evaluation point without antiarrhythmic drugs were included. Results Heart rate significantly increased at 4 hr, day 1, and 1 month. Raw QT interval prolonged at 4 hr (417.1±41.6 ms, P<0.001) but shortened at day 1 (376.4±34.1 ms, P<0.001), 1 month (382.2±31.5 ms, P<0.001), and 3 months (385.1±32.8 ms, P<0.001) compared to baseline (391.6±31.4 ms). Bazett- and Fridericia- corrected QTc intervals significantly prolonged at 4hr (Bazett: 430.8±27.9 ms, P<0.001; Fridericia: 425.8±27.4 ms, P<0.001), day1 (Bazett: 434.8±22.3 ms, P<0.001; Fridericia: 414.1±23.7 ms, P<0.001), 1M (Bazett: 434.8±22.3 ms, P<0.001; Fridericia: 408.2±21.0 ms, P<0.05), and 3M (Bazett: 420.1±21.8 ms, P<0.001; Fridericia: 407.8±21.1 ms, P<0.05) compared to baseline (Bazett: 404.9±25.2 ms; Fridericia: 400.0±22.6 ms). On the other hand, Framingham- and Hodges- corrected QTc interval significantly prolonged only at 4hr (Framingham: 424.1±26.6 ms, P<0.001; Hodges: 426.8±28.4 ms, P<0.001) and at day1 (Framingham: 412.3±29.3 ms, P<0.01; Hodges: 410.6±40.2 ms, P<0.05) compared to baseline (Framingham: 399.2±22.7 ms; Hodges: 400.7±22.8 ms). At 4 hr after ablation, raw QT and QTc of all formulas significantly prolonged than baseline. Raw QT and QTc prolongation at 4hr after ablation were more frequently observed in female patients. Multiple regression analysis revealed that female patient is a significant predictor of raw QT and QTc interval prolongation of all formulas 4hr after PVI. Conclusions Raw QT and QTc prolonged after PVI, especially in the acute phase. Female patient is a risk factor for QT prolongation in the acute phase after PVI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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