Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery a Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Author(s):  
Davy C. H. Cheng ◽  
Niv Ad ◽  
Janet Martin ◽  
Eva E. Berglin ◽  
Byung-Chul Chang ◽  
...  

Objectives This meta-analysis sought to determine whether surgical ablation improves clinical outcomes and resource utilization compared with no ablation in adult patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods A comprehensive search was undertaken to identify all randomized (RCT) and nonrandomized (non-RCT) controlled trials of surgical ablation versus no ablation in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery up to April 2009. The primary outcome was sinus rhythm. Secondary outcomes included survival and any other reported clinically relevant outcome or indicator of resource utilization. Odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were analyzed as appropriate using the random effects model. Heterogeneity was measured using the I2 statistic. Meta-regression was performed to explore the relationship between the benefit from surgical AF and duration of follow-up. Results Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria (10 RCTs and 23 non-RCTs) for a total of 4647 patients. The number of patients in sinus rhythm was significantly improved at discharge in the surgical AF ablation group versus (68.6%) the surgery alone group (23.0%) in RCTs (OR 10.1, 95% CI 4.5–22.5) and non-RCTs (OR 7.15, 95% CI 3.42–14.95). This effect on sinus rhythm (74.6% vs. 18.4%) remained at follow-up of 1 to 5 years (OR 6.7, 95% CI 2.8–15.7 for RCT, and OR 15.5, 95% CI 6.6–36.7 for non-RCT). The risk of all-cause mortality at 30 days was not different between the groups in RCT (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.52–3.16) or non-RCT studies (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.52–1.87). In studies reporting all-cause mortality at 1 year or more (up to 5 years), mortality did not differ in RCT studies (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.59–2.51) but was significantly reduced in non-RCT studies (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31–0.96). Stroke incidence was not reduced significantly; however, in meta-regression, the risk of stroke decreased significantly with longer follow-up. Other clinical outcomes were similar between groups. Operation time was significantly increased with surgical AF ablation; however, overall impact on length of stay was variable. Conclusions In patients with persistent or permanent AF who present for cardiac surgery, the addition of surgical AF ablation led to a significantly higher rate of sinus rhythm in RCT and non-RCT studies compared with cardiac surgery alone, and this effect remains robust over the longer term (1–5 years). Although non-RCT studies suggest the possibility of reduced risk of stroke and death, this remains to be proven in prospective RCTs with adequate power and follow-up.

Author(s):  
Mohsin Uzzaman ◽  
Imthiaz Manoly ◽  
Mohini Panikkar ◽  
Maciej Matuszewski ◽  
Nicolas Nikolaidis ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND/AIM To evaluate outcomes of concurrent Cox-Maze procedures in elderly patients undergoing high-risk cardiac surgery. MEHODS We retrospectively identified patients aged over 70 years with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) from 2011 to 2017 who had two or more other cardiac procedures. They were subdivided into two groups: 1. Cox-Maze IV AF ablation 2. No-Surgical AF treatment. Patients requiring redo procedures or those who had isolated PVI or LAAO were excluded. Heart rhythm assessed from Holter reports or 12-lead ECG. Follow-up data collected through telephone consultations and medical records. RESULTS There were 239 patients. Median follow up was 61 months. 70 patients had Cox-Maze IV procedures (29.3%). Demographic, intra- and post-operative outcomes were similar between groups although duration of pre-operative AF was shorter in Cox-Maze group (p=0.001). One (1.4%) patient in Cox maze group with 30-day mortality compared to 14 (8.2%) the control group (p=0.05). Sinus rhythm at annual and latest follow-up was 84.9% and 80.0% respectively in Maze group - significantly better than No-Surgical AF treatment groups (P<0.001). 160 patients (66.9%) were alive at long-term follow-up with better survival curves in Cox Maze group compared to No-Surgical treatment group (p=0.02). There was significantly higher proportion of patients in NYHA 1 status in Cox-Maze group (p=0.009). No differences observed in freedom from stroke (p=0.80) or permanent pacemaker (p=0.33). CONCLUSIONS. Surgical ablation is beneficial in elderly patients undergoing high-risk surgery - promoting excellent long-term freedom from AF and symptomatic/prognostic benefits. Therefore, surgical risk need not be reason to deny benefits of concomitant AF-ablation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lauritzen ◽  
H.J Vodstrup ◽  
T.D Christensen ◽  
M Onat ◽  
R Christensen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc have utility in predicting long-term outcomes. However, it is currently unknown if the same holds for patients undergoing surgical ablation. Purpose To determine whether CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc predict long-term outcomes after surgical ablation in concomitance with other cardiac surgery. Methods In this prospective, follow-up study, we included patients who underwent biatrial ablation - or pulmonary vein isolation procedure concomitantly with other cardiac surgery between 2004 and 2018. CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were assessed prior to surgery and categorized in groups as 0–1, 2–4 or ≥5. Outcomes were death, AF, and AF-related death. Follow-up was ended in April 2019. Results A total of 587 patients with a mean age of 68.7±0.4 years were included. Both CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were predictors of survival p=0.005 and p&lt;0.001, respectively (Figure). For CHADS2, mean survival times were 5.9±3.7 years for scores 0–1, 5.0±3.0 years for scores 2–4 and 4.3±2.6 years for scores ≥5. For CHA2DS2-VASc mean survival times were 7.3±4.0 years for scores 0–1, 5.6±2.9 years for scores 2–4 and 4.8±2.1 years for scores ≥5. The incidence of death was 20.1% for CHADS2 0–1, 24.8% for CHADS2 2–4, and 35.3% for CHADS2 ≥5, p=0.186. The incidence of AF was 50.2% for CHADS2 0–1, 47.9% for CHADS2 2–4, and 76.5% for CHADS2 ≥5, p=0.073. The incidence of AF related death was 13.0% for CHADS2 0–1, 16.8% for CHADS2 2–4, and 35.3% for CHADS2 ≥5, p=0.031. The incidence of death was 16.8% for CHA2DS2-VASc 0–1, 26.2% for CHA2DS2-VASc 2–4, and 45.0% for CHA2DS2-VASc ≥5, p=0.001. The incidence of AF was 49.6% for CHA2DS2-VASc 0–1, 52.5% for CHA2DS2-VASc 2–4, and 72.5% for CHA2DS2-VASc ≥5, p=0.035. The incidence of AF related death was 12.2% for CHA2DS2-VASc 0–1, 16.0% for CHA2DS2-VASc 2–4, and 42.5% for CHA2DS2-VASc ≥5, p&lt;0.001. Conclusion Both CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores predict long-term outcomes after surgical ablation for AF. However, CHA2DS2-VASc was superior in predicting death, AF, and AF-related death. Survival curves Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 138 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D McCauley ◽  
Esseim Sharma ◽  
John Dudley ◽  
Antony Chu

Introduction: Based on the data from CASTLE-AF trial, in patient with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) catheter ablation may offer a significant reduction in both death, and hospitalization, while promoting maintenance of sinus rhythm as well as improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This multi-center randomized trial is hailed as a paradigm shifting study in catheter ablation, however it is not without fault. One of the critiques of the CASTLE-AF trial was the high frequency of crossover between the treatment arms. To help sort out this potential source of confounding, we performed a systematic meta-analysis of prospective trials for catheter ablation in AF in patients with Class II through IV heart failure. Hypothesis: The reduction in death, and hospitalization, as well as the maintenance in sinus rhythm and improvement in LVEF seen CASTLE-AF trial are support by other similarly designed AF ablation trials. Methods: Using the inclusion/exclusion criteria from the CASTLE-AF trial, we performed a systematic meta-analysis of 28 published studies. Randomized and non-randomized observational studies comparing the impact of catheter ablation of AF in HF. Studies were identified using the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed. Results: A total of 29 studies were identified (n =2,339). Mean follow-up was 25 (95% confidence interval, 18-40) months. Efficacy in maintaining sinus rhythm at follow-up end was 60% (43%-76%). Left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly during follow-up by 15% (P<0.001). Conclusions: Following our meta-analysis, we found data to support the findings of improved LVEF and maintenance of sinus rhythm reported in the CASTLE-AF trial. However, due to differences in study design, we were unable to further validate the reduction in both hospitalization and death seen in CASTLE-AF. We recommend future prospective trials be conducted without cross over to further explore this topic.


Cor et Vasa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. e323-e328
Author(s):  
Lukáš Mach ◽  
Vladimír Horváth ◽  
Eva Jakubcová ◽  
Katarína Kovačičová ◽  
Zdenko Kasáč ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Singh ◽  
A Hussain ◽  
G Kugan ◽  
Michael Lewis

Abstract Introduction Best-practice as per JCTVS 2006 meta-analysis recommends following patients who undergo concomitant surgical Atrial Fibrillation (AF) ablation at 3-months, 1, 2 and 3 years to ensure AF resolution. A dedicated nurse-led arrythmia clinic managed these patients at Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH), Brighton but was relinquished. Follow-up was incorporated into routine cardiothoracic/cardiology clinics. This audit compares current practice at RSCH against best-practice (JCTVS). Method Patients who underwent surgical AF ablation between 2016-2017 at RSCH notes were interrogated for demographic, clinical and outcome data. Survival, freedom from AF at 3-years and post-operative anticoagulation/rate-control medications at follow-up data were extracted. Results Sixty-two patients underwent surgical AF ablation; 21 were followed up locally at RSCH and included in the final analysis. 53% had post-surgical AF resolution. At 3-years, 48% were free from AF; all patients survived. Only 38% patients had 4 follow-up appointments as per best-practice standards. 62% and 66% continued anticoagulation and rate-control medications, respectively. Conclusions Best-practice standards were poorly met. Patients inappropriately followed-up could incur severe AF-related complications including longer hospital stay, treatment and poorer quality of life. A nurse-led arrhythmia clinic can prevent AF-related hospital admissions and sequalae by ensuring cost-effective review, optimal anticoagulation, and rate/rhythm control.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxu Wang ◽  
Yi Luo ◽  
Dan Xu ◽  
Kun Zhao

Background: Whether digoxin is associated with increased mortality in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. We aimed to assess the risk of mortality and clinical effects of digoxin use in patients with AF.Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched to identify eligible studies comparing all-cause mortality of patients with AF taking digoxin with those not taking digoxin, and the length of follow-up was at least 6 months. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and pooled.Results: A total of 29 studies with 621,478 patients were included. Digoxin use was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in all patients with AF (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.13–1.22, P &lt; 0.001), especially in patients without HF (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11–1.47, P &lt; 0.001). There was no significant association between digoxin and mortality in patients with AF and HF (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.99–1.14, P = 0.110). In all patients with AF, regardless of concomitant HF, digoxin use was associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.23–1.60, P &lt; 0.001) and cardiovascular (CV) mortality (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08–1.50, P &lt; 0.001), and digoxin use had no significant association with all-cause hospitalization (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.92–1.39, P = 0.230).Conclusion: We conclude that digoxin use is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and SCD, and it does not reduce readmission for AF, regardless of concomitant HF. Digoxin may have a neutral effect on all-cause mortality in patients with AF with concomitant HF.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.ukPROSPERO.


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