Final results from the EU focal impulse and rotor modulation (E-FIRM) registry

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Sommer ◽  
S Spitzer ◽  
J Brachmann ◽  
G Janssen ◽  
C Lenz ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Abbott Background The exact pathophysiology of how pulmonary vein (PV) triggers initiate or maintain episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been elusive. Catheter ablation at relatively circumscribed areas of rapidly spinning rotors or very rapid focal impulse formation can significantly affect AF. Targeted ablation of these sources using Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation (FIRM™) shows promise. Purpose To assess the safety and effectiveness of FIRM-guided procedures for the treatment of any type of symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Two hundred and ninety-nine subjects were enrolled in the E-FIRM Registry at 9 clinical sites in Germany and the Netherlands. Subjects were eligible if they had reported incidence of at least 2 documented episodes of symptomatic AF during the preceding 3 months and had failed at least Class I or III anti-arrhythmia drug. Data was collected at enrollment/baseline, procedure, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up visits. Results A majority (59.5%, 178/299) had a history of previous ablation, 81.1% (133/164) in the left side, with an average of 1.5 ± 0.8 [range 0, 5] prior ablations. The primary safety endpoint was defined as freedom from procedure related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) through 7-days and at 12-months. At 7-days, freedom from procedure related SAEs was 94.8% (257/271). At 12-months, freedom from procedure related SAEs was 84.4% (184/218). There were no deaths. Acute effectiveness success, defined as the elimination of all identified rotors, occurred in 64.0% (165/258) of treated patients. All patients for which data was reported had at least 1 rotor identified. The most common regions to find rotors were the lateral wall of the right atrium, the anterior/septal wall of the left atrium, and the posterior inferior region of the left atrium. 75.2% (194/258) of patients had at least one rotor identified in the right atrium, and 84.1% (217/258) of patients had at least one rotor identified in the left atrium. Success was defined as two sequential endpoints: single procedure freedom from AF recurrence at 3-months and single procedure freedom from AF recurrence. At 12-months, success was achieved in 46.4% (13/28) Paroxysmal, 42.9% (87/203) Persistent, and 0% (0/9) Long Standing AF subjects. Conclusions: Since acute success was reported as being achieved in only ∼2/3 of the treated subjects, it is possible that the full potential benefit of the FIRM-guided ablation was hidden in this evaluation of the full cohort. Considering the previous ablation and disease history of subjects, a single-procedure success rate at 12-months over 40% was considered a positive result. Based on these results, FIRM-guided RF ablation in conjunction with conventional RF ablation practices is both a safe and effective treatment strategy for patients with symptomatic AF.

Open Heart ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e001724
Author(s):  
Takahiro Hayashi ◽  
Masato Murakami ◽  
Shigeru Saito ◽  
Kiyotaka Iwasaki

BackgroundThe limited availability of balloon sizes for cryoballoon leads to anatomical limitations for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. We conducted a comprehensive systematic analysis on procedural success rate, atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence rate and complications of cryoballoon ablation in association with the anatomy of the left atrium and PV based on preprocedural CT to gain insights into proper treatments of patients with AF using cryoballoon.MethodA systematic search of literature databases, including PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library, from the inception of each database through February 2021 was conducted. Search keywords included ‘atrial fibrillation’, ‘cryoballoon ablation’ and ‘anatomy’.ResultsOverall, 243 articles were identified. After screening, 16 articles comprising 1396 patients were included (3, 5 and 8 for acute success, AF recurrence and complications, respectively). Regarding acute success and AF recurrences, thinner width of the left lateral ridge, higher PV ovality, PV ostium-bifurcation distance, shorter distance from the non-coronary cusp to inferior PVs, shallower angle of right PVs against the atrial septum and larger right superior PV (RSPV) were associated with poor outcomes. Regarding complications, shorter distance between the RSPV ostium and the right phrenic nerve, larger RSPV-left atrium angle, larger RSPV area and smaller right carina width were associated with incidences of phrenic nerve injury.ConclusionThis study elucidated several key anatomical features of PVs possibly affecting acute success, AF recurrence and complications in patients with AF using cryoballoon ablation. CT analysis has helped to describe benefits and anatomical limitations for cryoballoon ablation.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
kiyotake Ishikawa ◽  
Yukihiko Yoshida ◽  
Sumio Morita ◽  
Kenji Furusawa ◽  
Noriyoshi Kanemura ◽  
...  

Background: Left atrium (LA) dilation plays an important role in development and persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Some cases show structural reverse remodeling of LA after catheter ablation of AF. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of LA reverse remodeling. Method and Results: Echocardiographic data before and after ablation was obtained in 173 cases who underwent pulmonary vein isolation from January 2006 to April 2008 (74.0% men, 61.0±11 years old; paroxysmal AF 114, persistent AF 34, permanent AF 25). Mean atrial diameter before ablation was 39.0±6.1mm (paroxysmal 37.7±5.6mm, persistent 40.7±5.3mm, and permanent 43.0±6.8mm) and LA reverse remodeling was defined as 10% decrement of LA transverse diameter. Half of the cases were taking anti-arrhythmic drugs after ablation, and AF recurrence occurred in 16.8% (29/173) during mean follow up period of 8.5±6.3 months. Reverse remodeling of LA was seen in 34.1% (59/173) and AF recurrence rate in this group was 11.9% (7/59), whereas 19.3% (22/114) without reverse remodeling (P=0.29). However, limited in patients with LA diameter over 40mm (44.5%; 77/173), 3.2% (1/31) of AF recurrence was seen in those with reverse remodeling, while 21.7% (10/46) without reverse remodeling (P=0.04). LA reverse remodeling was observed significantly frequent in patients without history of hypertension(41.5% without hypertension vs 25.6% with hypertension, P=0.036). Conclusion: LA reverse remodeling after catheter ablation of AF in dilated LA patient is a simple and useful predictor for non-recurrence of AF. Hypertension could be a disturbance for LA reverse remodeling.


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.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. H1244-H1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengmei Zhou ◽  
Che-Ming Chang ◽  
Tsu-Juey Wu ◽  
Yasushi Miyauchi ◽  
Yuji Okuyama ◽  
...  

Repetitive rapid activities are present in the pulmonary veins (PVs) in dogs with pacing-induced sustained atrial fibrillation (AF). The mechanisms are unclear. We induced sustained (>48 h) AF by rapidly pacing the left atrium (LA) in six dogs. High-density computerized mapping was done in the PVs and atria. Results show repetitive focal activations in all dogs and in 12 of 18 mapped PVs. Activation originated from the middle of the PV and then propagated to the LA and distal PV with conduction blocks. The right atrium (RA) was usually activated by a single large wavefront. Mean AF cycle length in the PVs (left superior, 82 ± 6 ms; left inferior, 83 ± 6 ms; right inferior, 83 ± 4 ms) and LA posterior wall (87 ± 5 ms) were significantly ( P < 0.05) shorter than those in the LA anterior wall (92 ± 4 ms) and RA (107 ± 5 ms). PVs in normal dogs did not have focal activations during induced AF. No reentrant wavefronts were demonstrated in the PVs. We conclude that nonreentrant focal activations are present in the PVs in a canine model of pacing-induced sustained AF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F V Moniz Mendonca ◽  
J A S Sousa ◽  
J M Monteiro ◽  
M R Mraquel ◽  
M N Neto ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Idiopathic aneurysmal dilatations of the right atrium are rare anomalies. It can be diagnosed at any time between foetal and adult life. This exceptional condition can be confused with other conditions that involve enlargement of right atrium. We report a clinical case of a symptomatic adult who was diagnosed with giant right atrium aneurysm. Case report An 83-year-old female presented with complaints of fatigue, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, exertional dyspnoea, orthopnoea and cough since last week. There were no history of syncope, convulsions or evidence of thromboembolism. There were a medical history of diverticulosis and atrial fibrillation (warfarin therapy). The principal findings on physical examination included holosystolic murmur at the left middle sternal border, pulmonary rales, jugular venous distension, enlarged liver and peripheral oedema. An electrocardiogram showed an atrial fibrillation with a controlled heart rate response, right axis deviation, right bundle-branch block. A chest radiography posteroanterior view showed a markedly enlarged cardiac silhouette, increased pulmonary vascular congestion, and bilateral pleural effusions. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed aneurysmal dilated right atrium communicating with right ventricle. Right ventricle (RV) and RV outflow tract were dilated with normal pulmonary arteries. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography revealed aneurysmal dilated right atrium measuring 398mL/m2. The tricuspid valve was no displaced. There was severe tricuspid regurgitation and no stenosis. The right atrium was kinetic without any intracavitary thrombus. The intertrial and interventricular septa were intact. The right ventricle and outflow tract were mildly dilated with preserved systolic function. The left atrium and left ventricle were normal. The patient was admitted to the cardiology department with the diagnosis of right heart failure. Conclusion Aneurysm of right atrium is an uncommon condition. It is diagnosed as a disproportionately enlarged right atrium compared to the other cardiac chambers in the absence of other cardiac or hemodynamic abnormalities and must be distinguished from other anomalies causing structural pathology of the right atrium. Approximately, one-half of the patients have no symptoms. Others presented with arrhythmia, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The major rhythm abnormality is atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Our patient presented with symptoms of right heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The right enlargement is usually associated with tricuspid annular dilatation responsible for functional regurgitation, which can be severe in some cases. The diagnosis of right atrium malformation can be established by echocardiography, CT or magnetic resonance imaging. Literature reports various ways to manage these patients. Treatment ranges from conservative to surgical resection specially in the presence of arrhythmias. Abstract P1242 Figure. Aneurysm of right atrium


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
Oleg V. Likhachev-Mishchenko ◽  
Alexey A. Kornienko ◽  
Larisa A. Khaisheva ◽  
Anastasia V. Duzhikova ◽  
Natalia A. Kornienko ◽  
...  

Relevance. Supraventricular arrhythmias are frequent comorbid conditions in patients with end-stage renal failure undergoing dialysis. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in this group of patients is higher than in the general population and is associated with increased mortality. Aim. To analyze the effect of a dialysis session on echocardiographic parameters and to assess their relationship with the occurrence of supraventricular arrhythmias and AF during hemodialysis. Material and methods. The study included 78 patients on hemodialysis. All patients underwent Holter electrocardiography monitoring, taking into account the heart rate before and after dialysis, the number and duration of AF episodes associated with the dialysis session. Using echocardiography, which was performed before and after the dialysis procedure, all patients were also evaluated for the presence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, impaired systolic and diastolic function, as well as LV myocardial mass, sizes of the left atrium, its volume, volume of the right atrium and LV ejection fraction. Results. An analysis of the differences in echocardiographic parameters before and after dialysis showed a significantly larger volume of the left atrium, the volume of the right atrium, the width of the inferior vena cava, and the parameter P(early transmitral velocity) before dialysis compared with the state after dialysis. Also, AF paroxysms were recorded much more frequently after dialysis. The volume of the left atrium 32 mm and the right atrium 30 mm (limit values) were observed much more often in patients before dialysis. A relationship was found between an increased number of paroxysms of atrial fibrillation and a decrease in the volume of the right atrium 5 mm and the left atrium 7 mm after dialysis. No correlation was found between the mass of the LV and the volume of the left atrium. Conclusions. 1. The age and duration of dialysis therapy in hemodialysis patients are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. 2. A decrease in the volumes of the right and left atriums after the hemodialysis procedure has a positive correlation with paroxysmal AF. 3. The hemodialysis procedure leads to a decrease in the volumes of the right and left atriums, as well as the width of the inferior vena cava and a decrease in the speed of movement of the mitral valve in early diastole. 4. No relationship was found between the volume of the left atrium and the mass of the LV myocardium in patients on hemodialysis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Smoczynska ◽  
H.D.M Beekman ◽  
R.W Chui ◽  
S Rajamani ◽  
M.A Vos

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia treated in clinical practice. Structural remodeling is characterized by atrial enlargement and contributes to the therapeutic resistance in patients with long-standing AF. Purpose To study the atrial arrhythmogenic and echocardiographic consequences induced by volume overload in the complete chronic atrioventricular block (CAVB) dog. Methods Echocardiographic and electrophysiological data was obtained in 14 anaesthetized Mongrel dogs, in acute AV-block (AAVB), after 6 weeks of CAVB (CAVB6) and CAVB10. Left atrial (LA) volume was determined with 2D echocardiography by using the biplane method. An electrocardiogram and monophasic action potentials (MAP) at the right atrial (RA) free wall were recorded. Atrial effective refractory period (AERP) was determined by continuous programmed electrical stimulation (PES) of 20 beats with a cycle length of 400 ms and an extrastimulus with decremental design until refractoriness was reached. A continuous PES protocol of 20 beats with an extrastimulus 5 ms longer than the AERP was applied for 150 seconds to trigger AF. After 5 min without arrhythmias, autonomic neuromodulation was performed by intravenous infusion (IV) of acetylcholine (1,5μg/kg/min to 6,0μg/kg/min) for 20 min followed by prompt IV infusion of isoprenaline (3μg/min) until the atrial heart rate increased by 20 bpm. PES with an extrastimulus was repeated for 150 seconds to induce AF. Results LA volume increased from 13.7±3.2 ml at AAVB to 20.5±5.9 ml* at CAVB6, and 22.7±6.0 ml* at CAVB10 (Fig. 1A). AERP was similar at AAVB, CAVB6, and CAVB10 (115.8±11.9, 117.3±11.7, and 106.8±12.1 ms respectively). Repetitive AF paroxysms of &gt;10 seconds were induced in 1/14 (7%) dogs at AAVB, 1/11 (9%) at CAVB6, and 5/10 (50%)* at CAVB10 (*p&lt;0.05) upon PES (Fig. 1B). Combined neuromodulation and PES did not increase the AF inducibility rate, but prolonged the longest episode of AF in the inducible dogs from 55±49 seconds to 236±202 seconds* at CAVB10 (Fig. 1C). LA volume was higher in inducible dogs 25.0±4.9 ml compared to 18.4±4.2 ml in non-inducible dogs at CAVB10. Conclusion Sustained atrial dilation forms a substrate for repetitive paroxysms of AF. Neuro-modulation prolongs AF episode duration in susceptible dogs. This animal model can be used to study structural remodeling of the atria and possible therapeutic advances in the management of AF. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Amgen Research


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Jing Wang ◽  
Huan Sun ◽  
Xiao-Fei Fan ◽  
Meng-Chao Zhang ◽  
Ping Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The ablation targets of atrial fibrillation (AF) are adjacent to bronchi and pulmonary arteries (PAs). We used computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the anatomical correlation between left atrium (LA)-pulmonary vein (PV) and adjacent structures. Methods Data were collected from 126 consecutive patients using coronary artery CT angiography. The LA roof was divided into three layers and nine points. The minimal spatial distances from the nine points and four PV orifices to the adjacent bronchi and PAs were measured. The distances from the PV orifices to the nearest contact points of the PVs, bronchi, and PAs were measured. Results The anterior points of the LA roof were farther to the bronchi than the middle or posterior points. The distances from the nine points to the PAs were shorter than those to the bronchi (5.19 ± 3.33 mm vs 8.62 ± 3.07 mm; P < .001). The bilateral superior PV orifices, especially the right superior PV orifices were closer to the PAs than the inferior PV orifices (left superior PV: 7.59 ± 4.14 mm; right superior PV: 4.43 ± 2.51 mm; left inferior PV: 24.74 ± 5.26 mm; right inferior PV: 22.33 ± 4.75 mm) (P < .001). Conclusions The right superior PV orifices were closer to the bronchi and PAs than other PV orifices. The ablation at the mid-posterior LA roof had a higher possibility to damage bronchi. CT is a feasible method to assess the anatomical adjacency in vivo, which might provide guidance for AF ablation.


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