scholarly journals Fluoroless ablation of atrial fibrillation using intracardiac ultrasound integrated with 3D electroanatomical mapping system

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Antolic ◽  
M Jan ◽  
M Vrbajnscak ◽  
D Zizek ◽  
N Kajdic

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is gaining increasingly wider adoption in interventional electrophysiology (EP) and represents an all-round tool for ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The key upgrade to the usefulness of ICE is its integration into three-dimensional (3D) electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system (ICE/EAM automatic integration system). Purpose The aim of this single-centre retrospective study was to evaluate feasibility, safety and acute efficacy of ICE/EAM automatic integration system guided fluoroless ablation of AF.  Methods Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF referred for first pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) from September 2017 to August 2020 were included in the study. Those who underwent additional ablations for concomitant arrhythmias were excluded from statistical analysis. All procedures were performed without the use of fluoroscopy. A detailed 3D virtual anatomy of the left atrium (LA) and structures relevant to AF ablation was constructed from ultrasound contours obtained with ICE probe inside the LA. Pulmonary veins (PVs) and antral regions were additionally mapped with fast anatomical mapping. PVI was performed with contact force (CF) sensing catheter. Procedural endpoint was successful PVI.  Results A total of 56 patients underwent RFCA (35.7% females, median age 62.7 years, 53.6% paroxysmal AF). Acute PVI was achieved in all patients (100%). Adverse events were detected in two patients (3.6%). The median procedure duration was 110.5 min (IQR 100.0-133.8). First-pass isolation was achieved in 50/56 LPVs (89.3%) and in 44/56 RPVs (78.6%). In patients where first-pass isolation was no achieved, intravenous carina had to be ablated in 3/6 (50%) of LPVs and 9/12 (75%) of RPVs.  Conclusions Flouroless PVI using ICE/EAM automatic integration system is feasible, safe and acutely effective. We achieved high rate of first-pass isolation.

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Biermann ◽  
Christoph Bode ◽  
Stefan Asbach

Accurate delineation of the variable left atrial anatomy is of utmost importance during anatomically based ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation targeting the pulmonary veins and possibly other structures of the atria. Intracardiac echocardiography allows real-time visualisation of the left atrium and adjacent structures and thus facilitates precise guidance of catheter-based ablation of atrial fibrillation. In patients with abnormal anatomy of the atria and/or the interatrial septum, intracardiac ultrasound might be especially valuable to guide transseptal access. Software algorithms like CARTOSound (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, USA) offer the opportunity to reconstruct multiple two-dimensional ultrasound fans generated by intracardiac echocardiography to a three-dimensional object which can be merged to a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction of the left atrium. Intracardiac ultrasound reduces dwell time of catheters in the left atrium, fluoroscopy, and procedural time and is invaluable concerning early identification of potential adverse events. The application of intracardiac echocardiography has the great capability to improve success rates of catheter-based ablation procedures.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Teres ◽  
B Jauregui ◽  
D Soto-Iglesias ◽  
A Ordonez ◽  
A Chauca ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Dr Teres was funded by Swiss Heartrhythm Foundation Introduction Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become a mainstay in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The utility of ablation index (AI) to dose radiofrequency delivery for the reduction of AF recurrences has already been proven with a target AI ≥ 400 at the posterior wall and ≥550 at the anterior Wall. Nevertheless, the left atrial wall is a thin, heterogeneous structure with an important inter and intra-patient variability of LAWT. Objective To determine if adapting AI to atrial wall thickness (AWT) is feasible, effective and safe during AF ablation. Methods Single-Center study that included 80 consecutive patients referred for a first paroxysmal AF ablation that was performed with a single catheter approach with the intention to reduce vascular access complication rate. All patients had a MDCT prior to the ablation procedure. LAWT maps were semi-automatically computed from the MDCT as the local distance between the LA endo and epicardium. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia with a high-rate low-volume ventilation protocol for obtaining higher catheter stability. The transeptal puncture was TEE-guided. During the procedure, the WT map was fused with the LA anatomy using CARTO-merge. LAWT was categorized into 1mm-layers and the AI was titrated to the local atrial WT as follows: Thickness < 1 mm (red): 300; 1-2 mm (yellow): 350; 2-3 mm (green): 400; 3-4 mm (blue): 450; > 4 mm (purple): 450 (Figure). Maximal inter-lesion distance was set at 6 mm. VisiTag settings were: catheter position stability: minimum time 3 s, maximum range 4 mm; force over time: 25%, minimum force 3 g; lesion tag size: 3 mm. Respiration training was not possible due to the high catheter stability.  The circumferential ablation line was designed in a personalized fashion to avoid thicker regions. Results 80 patients [41 (51,2 %) male, age 60± 11 years] were included. Mean LVEF was 59 ± 5 %, Mean LA diameter 39,1 ± 5,8 mm, Mean LAWT was 1.36 ± 0.63 mm. Mean AI was 352 ± 36 on the RPVs and 356 ± 36 on the LPVs. Procedure time was 60,0 min (IQR 51-70). Fluoroscopy time was 58,5 s (35-97,5). First pass isolation was obtained in 72 (90%) of the RPVs and 75 (93,8%) of the LPVs. Conclusions the present study, assessing a novel, personalized protocol for radiofrequency titration during atrial fibrillation ablation, shows a high rate of first pass isolation with a lower need for RF energy delivery and lower procedure requirements, as compared to previous PV ablation protocols. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term results of this approach. Abstract Figure. LAWT-map Visitag points with tailored AI


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 20120069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg V. Aslanidi ◽  
Michael A. Colman ◽  
Marta Varela ◽  
Jichao Zhao ◽  
Bruce H. Smaill ◽  
...  

Mechanisms underlying the genesis of re-entrant substrate for the most common cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF), are not well understood. In this study, we develop a multi-scale three-dimensional computational model that integrates cellular electrophysiology of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) with the respective tissue geometry and fibre orientation. The latter is reconstructed in unique detail from high-resolution (approx. 70 μm) contrast micro-computed tomography data. The model is used to explore the mechanisms of re-entry initiation and sustenance in the PV region, regarded as the primary source of high-frequency electrical activity in AF. Simulations of the three-dimensional model demonstrate that an initial break-down of normal electrical excitation wave-fronts can be caused by the electrical heterogeneity between the PVs and LA. High tissue anisotropy is then responsible for the slow conduction and generation of a re-entrant circuit near the PVs. Evidence of such circuits has been seen clinically in AF patients. Our computational study suggests that primarily the combination of electrical heterogeneity and conduction anisotropy between the PVs and LA tissues leads to the generation of a high-frequency (approx. 10 Hz) re-entrant source near the PV sleeves, thus providing new insights into the arrhythmogenic mechanisms of excitation waves underlying AF.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 20120067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Butters ◽  
Oleg V. Aslanidi ◽  
Jichao Zhao ◽  
Bruce Smaill ◽  
Henggui Zhang

Sheep are often used as animal models for experimental studies into the underlying mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias. Previous studies have shown that biophysically detailed computer models of the heart provide a powerful alternative to experimental animal models for underpinning such mechanisms. In this study, we have developed a family of mathematical models for the electrical action potentials of various sheep atrial cell types. The developed cell models were then incorporated into a three-dimensional anatomical model of the sheep atria, which was recently reconstructed and segmented based on anatomical features within different regions. This created a novel biophysically detailed computational model of the three-dimensional sheep atria. Using the model, we then investigated the mechanisms by which paroxysmal rapid focal activity in the pulmonary veins can transit to sustained atrial fibrillation. It was found that the anisotropic property of the atria arising from the fibre structure plays an important role in facilitating the development of fibrillatory atrial excitation waves, and the electrical heterogeneity plays an important role in its initiation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Boussoussou ◽  
B Vattay ◽  
B Szilveszter ◽  
M Kolossvary ◽  
M Vecsey-Nagy ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The CLOSE protocol is a novel contact-force guided technique for enclosing pulmonary veins in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Consistency and lesion contiguity are essential factors for procedural success. We sought to determine whether left atrial (LA) wall thickness (LAWT) and pulmonary vein (PV) dimensions as assessed by coronary CT angiography (CTA) could influence the efficacy of successful first-pass isolation using the CLOSE protocol. Methods In a single center, prospective study we enrolled 94 patients with symptomatic, drug-refractory AF who underwent pre-ablation left atrial CTA and initial radiofrequency catheter ablation between 2019.01–2020.09. The LA was divided into 11 regions when assessing LAWT. Additionally, the diameter and area of the PV orifices were obtained. First pass isolation was recorded separately for the right and left PVs. After the first pass ablation circles were ready, additional ablations were applied in those cases where first pass isolation was not achieved, to reach complete PV isolation. Predictors of successful first pass isolation were determined using logistic regression models that included anthropometrical, echocardiographic and CTA derived parameters. Results A total of 94 patients were included in the analysis with mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2.1±1.5 (mean age 62.4±12.6 years, 39.5% female). 61.7% were paroxysmal, 38.3 were persistent AF patients. Mean procedure times were 81.2±19.3 minutes. Complete isolation of all four PVs was achieved in 100% of patients. First-pass isolation rate was 76%, 71% and 54%, for the right PVs, left PVs and all four PVs, respectively. No difference was found regarding comorbidities and imaging parameters between those with and without first pass isolation. LAWT (mean of all 11 regions or separately) had no effect on the procedural outcome (all p>0.05). Out of all assessed parameters, only RSPV diameter was associated with right sided successful PVI on first pass isolation (p=0.04, OR 1.01). Conclusion The use of CLOSE protocol in AF patients resulted in high periprocedural success rate in terms of first pass isolation, independently from the thickness of the LA wall. RSPV diameter could influence the results of first pass isolation. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Ribeiro Da Silva ◽  
G Santos Silva ◽  
P Ribeiro Queiros ◽  
R Teixeira ◽  
J Almeida ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is a well-established procedure for the treatment of AF. The cornerstone of AF ablation is the complete and durable isolation of pulmonary veins (PV) through radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon (CB) ablation. However, PVI durability between RF or CB was not yet established, as reablation strategy and outcomes in patients (pt) undergoing a redo ablation. Purpose To compare RF versus CB regarding PVI status, reablation procedure and outcomes in pts undergoing a second procedure. Methods Single-centre retrospective study of consecutive pts who underwent a redo between 2016 and 2020. PVI status was assessed during electrophysiologic study with electroanatomic mapping system. Index procedures included second generation CB, conventional RF before 2018 and CLOSE protocol guided RF ablation after 2018. We assessed time-to-redo, number and location of reconnected PVs, procedural characteristics, acute and long-term outcomes between RF and CB index PVI. Results Seventy-four (55 RF and 19 CB) pts were included, 68,9% were male, most pts had paroxysmal AF (71,6%) and a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1,14 ± 1,0. No statistically significant differences were noticed in clinical and echocardiographic characteristics between pts within RF or CB cohorts. Median time to reablation was significantly longer in the RF cohort (38,6 months ±33,6) compared to CB (17,0 months ±9,5) (p = 0,014). The number of reconnected PV was higher in CB than the RF cohort, although not significant (2,37 ±1,2 vs 1,75 ±1,4;p = 0,080). Right inferior PV was significantly more reconnected in pts within the CB compared to RF group (73,7% vs 45,6%;p = 0,034), without differences in the other PV reconnection rates. Regarding reablation procedure, all pts were submitted to RF-redo. Fluoroscopy time was shorter for CB than RF cohort (7,4 ±2,9 vs 13,3 ±8,4;p = 0,002). There were no significant differences between the type of reablation (PVI only vs PVI plus other lesions or cavotricuspid isthmus ablation), with no difference in overall acute success. After the redo procedure, no differences were observed in recurrence rate in the blanking period and after 91 days from reablation. Nevertheless, time-to-recurrence (>91 days) was longer for RF than CB group (13,4 months ±10,7 vs 4,3 months ±1,5;p = 0,016). There were 2 pts in the RF group that were submitted to a third ablation procedure (p = 0,725). There were no differences between groups in the composite of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes (stroke/transient ischemic attack, emergency room visit for AF, hospitalization for AF or CV death); p = 0,715. Conclusions After the index procedure, reablation occur later in RF than CB cohort.  Although the number of reconnected PV were similar between groups, right inferior PV was significantly more reconnected in pts originally treated with CB. After redo, time-to-recurrence was shorter for CB cohort. Recurrence and composite of adverse CV outcomes were similar.


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