scholarly journals Internationally validated score to predict the outcome of non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation: the ‘FLAME score’

Open Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001653
Author(s):  
Vennela Boyalla ◽  
Julian W E Jarman ◽  
Vias Markides ◽  
Wajid Hussain ◽  
Tom Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Predictive Variables ◽  
C Statistic ◽  
Proper Patient Selection ◽  
Procedural Outcomes

BackgroundThe clinical effectiveness of ablating non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (non-PAF) relies on proper patient selection. We developed and validated a scoring system to predict non-PAF ablation outcomes.MethodsData on 416 non-PAF ablations were analysed using binary logistic regression at a London centre. Identified preprocedural variables, which independently predicted freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia. Twenty-one possible predictive variables and a model with c-statistic 0.751—explained outcome variation in London at mean follow-up 12±3 months. An additive point score (range 0–9) was developed—the FLAME score: female=1; long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation=1; left atrial diameter in mm: 40 to <45 = 1, 45 to <50 = 2, 50 to <55=3, ≥55 =4; mitral regurgitation (MR) mild to moderate=1; extreme comorbidity=2. Extreme comorbidities include severe MR, moderate mitral stenosis, mitral replacement, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease.ResultsThe FLAME score was applied to data (882 non-PAF ablations) at a Californian centre, and predicted the outcome of both single (p<0.0001) and multiple (p<0.0001) procedures. For first ablation (follow-up 2.1 years (median, IQR 1.0–4.1)), FLAME score: 0–1 predicts 62% success, 2–4 44% and ≥5 29% (Ptrend <0.0001). After the final ablation (mean procedures: 1.4±0.6, follow-up 1.8 years (median, IQR 0.8–3.6)), FLAME score: 0–1 predicts 81% success, 2–4 65% and ≥5 44% (Ptrend <0.0001).ConclusionsFLAME score is easily calculated, derived in London, and predicted single and multiple procedural outcomes for non-PAF ablations in California. In patients with a high score, even multiple procedures are usually ineffective.

scholarly journals Cryoballoon ablation of the left atrial posterior wall reduces recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takatoshi Shigeta ◽  
Yasuteru Yamauchi ◽  
Yuichiro Sagawa ◽  
Atsuhito Oda ◽  
Shinichi Tachibana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Conduction Block ◽  
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Cryoballoon Ablation ◽  
Acute Success ◽  
Af Recurrence

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.

scholarly journals Quantifying Left Atrial Size in the Context of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Which Echocardiographic Method Correlates to Outcome of Pulmonary Venous Isolation?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 913
Author(s):  
Patrick Leitz ◽  
Lena Marie Stebel ◽  
Christian Andresen ◽  
Christian Ellermann ◽  
Fatih Güner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
C Statistic ◽  
Atrial Size

Introduction: Multiple studies have shown that left atrial (LA) enlargement is a strong predictor of poor outcome after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). LA size is commonly approximated as the diameter in the parasternal long axis. It remains unknown whether more precise echocardiographic measurements of LA size allow for better correlation with outcome after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods and results: We performed a retrospective study of 131 consecutive patients (43 females, 60% paroxysmal AF, mean CHA2DS2-Vasc score 1.6, mean age 61 ± 12 years) referred for PVI. Measurements of the LA were carried out by a single observer in transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) performed prior to ablation. We calculated diameter of the LA in the parasternal long axis (PLAX), LA area in the 2- as well as 4-Chamber (CH) view. LA volume was computed using the disc summation technique (LAV) and indexed to body surface area (LAVI). Procedural and follow-up data were gathered from a prospective AF database. Ablation was performed exclusively using the second generation cryoballoon by the same operators. Follow-up visits at 3, 6 and 12 months showed freedom from AF in 76%, 73% and 73% respectively. Mean values of LA calculations were LAPLAX: 37.9 mm ± 6.3 mm, 2CH area: 22.5 cm2 ± 6.7 cm2, 4CH area: 21.4 cm2 ± 5.5 cm2, LAV: 73.7 mL ± 26.1 mL and LAVI: 36.2 mL/m2 ± 12.7 mL/m2, respectively. C statistic revealed the best concordance of LAVI with outcome after 12 months (C = 0.67), LAV also exhibited a satisfactory value (C = 0.61) in comparison to surfaces in 2CH (C = 0.59) and 4CH (C = 0.57). PLAX showed the worst correlation (C = 0.51). Additionally, different binary logistic regression models identified three independent predictors of AF outcome after cryoballoon PVI: gender (OR = 0.95 per year; p = 0.01); LAV (OR = 1.3/10mL; p = 0.02) and LAVI (OR = 1.58/10 mL/m2; p = 0.02). In all models, PLAX and area measurements were not predictive. Conclusions: Our data add further to evidence that LA size lends itself well as a predictor of PVI outcome. LAVI and LAV were independently predictive of rhythm outcome after PVI. This did not hold true for more commonly used measurements, such as PLAX diameter and surfaces of the LA, irrespective of the view chosen.

scholarly journals Cryoballoon Ablation for Persistent and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Procedural Differences and Results from the Spanish Registry (RECABA)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermengol Valles ◽  
Jesus Jimenez ◽  
Julio Martí-Almor ◽  
Jorge Toquero ◽  
Jose Ormaetxe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Structural Heart Disease ◽  
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Cryoballoon Ablation ◽  
Arterial Line ◽  
Post Market

Introduction: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) has become a standard treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PaAF) but limited data is available for outcomes in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). Methods: We analyzed the first 944 patients included in the Spanish Prospective Multi-center Observation Post-market Registry to compare characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing CBA for PeAF versus PaAF. Results: A total of 944 patients (57.8±10.4 years; 70.1% male) with AF (27.9% persistent) were prospectively included from 25 centers. PeAF patients were more likely to have structural heart disease (67.7 vs 11.4%; p<0.001) and left atrium dilation (72.6 vs 43.3%; p<0.001). CBA of PeAF was less likely to be performed under general anesthesia (10.7 vs 22.2%; p<0.001), with an arterial line (32.2 vs 44.6%; p<0.001) and assisted transeptal puncture (11.9 vs 17.9%; p=0.025). During an application, PeAF patients had a longer time to -30°C (35.91±14.20 vs 34.93±12.87 sec; p=0.021) and a colder balloon nadir temperature during vein isolation (-35.04±9.58 vs -33.61±10.32ºC; p=0.004), but received fewer bonus freeze applications (30.7 vs 41.1%; p<0.001). There were no differences in acute pulmonary vein isolation and procedure-related complications. Overall, 76.7% of patients were free from AF recurrences at 15-month follow-up (78.9% in PaAF vs. 70.9% in PeAF; p=0.09). Conclusions: Patients with PeAF have a more diseased substrate, and CBA procedures performed in such patients were more simplified, although longer/colder freeze applications were often applied. The acute efficacy/safety profile of CBA was similar between PaAF and PeAF patients, but long-term results were better in PaAF patients.

Long-term results of thoracoscopic ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: is the glass half full or half empty?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Belluschi ◽  
Elisabetta Lapenna ◽  
Davide Carino ◽  
Cinzia Trumello ◽  
Manuela Cireddu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Class I ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Af Recurrence

Abstract OBJECTIVES Previous series showed the outcomes of thoracoscopic ablation of stand-alone symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) for up to 7 years of follow-up. The goal of this study was to assess the long-term durability of surgical pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) beyond 7 years. METHODS Fifty consecutive patients {mean age 55 [standard deviation (SD): 11.2] years, previous catheter ablation in 56%, left ventricular ejection fraction 60% (SD: 4.6), left atrium volume 65 ml (SD: 17)} with stand-alone symptomatic paroxysmal AF underwent PVI through bilateral thoracoscopy ablation between 2005 and 2014. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was ≥2 in 12 patients (24%). RESULTS No hospital deaths occurred. At hospital discharge all patients but 1 (2%) were in sinus rhythm (SR). Follow-up was 100% complete [mean 8.4 years (SD: 2.3), max 15]. The 8-year cumulative incidence function of AF recurrence, with death as a competing risk, on or off class I/III antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs)/electrocardioversion/re-transcatheter ablation (TCA) was 20% (SD: 5; 95% confidence interval: 10, 32); and off class I/III AADs/electrocardioversion/re-TCA was 52% (SD: 7; 95% confidence interval: 0.83, 8.02). At 8 years, the predicted prevalence of patients in SR was 87% and 53% were off class I/III AADs/electrocardioversion/re-TCA. The recurrent arrhythmia was AF in all patients except 2, who had atypical atrial flutter (4%). No predictors of AF recurrence were identified. At the last follow-up, 76% of the patients showed European Heart Rhythm Association class I. No strokes or thromboembolic events were documented and 76% of the subjects were off anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSIONS Despite a considerable AF recurrence rate, our single-centre, long-term outcome of surgical PVI showed encouraging data, with the majority of patients remaining in SR, although many of them were on antiarrhythmic therapy.

scholarly journals Radiofrequency versus Cryoballoon Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: An Evaluation Using ECG, Holter Monitoring, and Implantable Loop Recorders to Monitor Absolute and Clinical Effectiveness

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karapet Davtyan ◽  
Victoria Shatakhtsyan ◽  
Hermine Poghosyan ◽  
Alexandr Deev ◽  
Alexey Tarasov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Holter Monitoring ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Cryoballoon Ablation ◽  
End Point ◽  
Radiofrequency Current ◽  
Implantable Loop Recorders

Introduction. While several studies have compared the radiofrequency current (RFC) and cryoablation for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), no study has monitored the long-term outcomes with the usage of implantable loop recorders (ILRs). Methods. We enrolled 89 consecutive patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal AF (N=44 for RFC and N=45 for cryoballoon). The primary efficacy end point was the assessment of effectiveness for each group (RFC versus cryoballoon) when examining freedom from arrhythmia by monitoring with ECG, Holter, and implantable loop recoder (ILR). The primary safety end point compared rates of adverse events between both groups. The secondary efficacy end point examined the duration of the postablation blanking period from ILR retrieved data. Results. The mean age of the study population was 56.6±10.2 years, and the follow-up duration was 12 months. There were no differences in baseline patient characteristics between groups. At 12 months, the absolute effectiveness (measured by ILR) was 65.9% in the RFC group and 51.1% in the cryoballoon group (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 0.79–4.35; p=0.157), and the clinical effectiveness (measured by ECG and Holter) was 81.8% in the RFC group and 55.6% in the cryoballoon group (OR = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.37–9.46; p=0.008). There was no difference in safety between both groups. Asymptomatic episodes were significantly more present in the RFC group as measured by ILRs (p<0.010). In cryoballoon group, arrhythmia episodes were recorded equally irrespective of the follow-up method (i.e., ECG and Holter versus ILR (p>0.010)). The blanking period does not seem to be as important in cryoballoon as compared to RFC. Conclusion. RFC and cryoballoon ablation had similar absolute effectiveness at 12 months. ECG and Holter were effective when assessing the efficacy of the cryoballoon ablation; however, in the RFC group, ILR was necessary to accurately assess long-term efficacy.

Abstract 18649: Long-term Outcome and the Mechanisms of Pulmonary Antrum Radial-linear Ablation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Zhao ◽  
Jianqiang Hu ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Yawei Xu ◽  
Yanzhou Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Holter Monitoring ◽  
Pericardial Tamponade ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
One Year

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms and effectiveness of pulmonary antrum radial-linear (PAR) ablation in comparison with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) after a long-term follow-up. Background: The one-year follow up data suggested that PAR ablation appeared to have a better outcome over the conventional PVI for paroxysmal AF. Methods: The enrollment occurred between March, 2011, and August, 2011, with the last follow-up in May, 2014. A total of 133 patients with documented paroxysmal AF were enrolled from 5 centers and randomized to PAR group or PVI group. Event ECG recorder and Holter monitoring were conductedduring the follow-up for all patients. Results: The average procedure time was 151±23 min in PAR group and 178±43 min in PVI group ( P <0.001). The average fluoroscopy time was 21±7 min in PAR group and 27±11 min in PVI group ( P= 0.002). AF triggering foci were eliminated in 59 patients (89.4%) in PAR group, whereas, only 4 patients (6.0%) in PVI group (P<0.001).At median 36 (37-35) months of follow-up after single ablation procedure, 43 of 66 patients in PAR group (65%) and 28 of 67 patients in PVI group (42%) had no recurrence of AF off antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) (P=0.007); and 47 of 66 patients in PAR group (71%) and 32 of 67 patients in PVI group (48%) had no recurrence of AF with AAD (P=0.006). At the last follow-up, the burden of AF was significantly lower in PAR group than in PVI group (0.9% ± 2.3% vs 4.9% ± 9.9%;90th percentile, 5.5% vs 19.6%; P=0.008). No major adverse event (death, stroke, PV stenosis) was observed in all the patients except one case of pericardial tamponade. Conclusions: PAR ablation is a simple, safe, and effective strategy for the treatment of paroxysmal AF with better long-term outcome than PVI. PAR ablation might exhibit the beneficial effect on AF management through multiple mechanisms. Registration: ChiCTR-TRC-11001191

Catheter ablation for lone atrial fibrillation in individuals aged under 35 years

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 643-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindong Chen ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Mengmeng Zhou ◽  
Liang Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation ◽  
Atrial Tachyarrhythmia ◽  
Lone Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Significant Independent Predictor ◽  
Atrial Size

AbstractBackground:To assess the effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation for lone atrial fibrillation in young adults.Methods:This single-centre, retrospective, observational study enrolled 75 consecutive patients (86.7% men) under 35 (median, 30) years old with lone atrial fibrillation (68% paroxysmal, 26.7% persistent, and 5.3% long-standing persistent) without other cardiopulmonary diseases who underwent catheter ablation between April 2009 and May 2017. Procedural endpoints were circumferential pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation with pulmonary vein trigger, and target ablation or bidirectional block of lines and disappearance of complex fractionated atrial electrograms for atrial fibrillation with clear and unclear non-pulmonary vein triggers, respectively.Results:Main study outcome was rate of survival free from atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence, which at median 61 (range, 5–102) months follow-up was 62.7% (64.7 and 58.3% for paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, respectively) after single ablation, and 69.3% (68.6 and 70.8% for paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, respectively) after mean 1.2 ablations (two and three ablations in 11 and 2 patients, respectively). In multivariate analysis, non-pulmonary vein trigger was a significant independent predictor of recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia (OR, 10.60 [95%CI, 2.25–49.96]; p = 0.003). There were no major periprocedural adverse events.Conclusions:In patients under 35 years old with lone atrial fibrillation, radiofrequency catheter ablation appeared effective particularly for atrial fibrillation with pulmonary vein trigger and regardless of left atrial size or atrial fibrillation duration or type. Atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence after multiple ablations warrants further study.

scholarly journals Value of infarct location in the prediction of functional outcome in patients with an anterior large vessel occlusion: results from the HERMES study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manon L. Tolhuisen ◽  
Marielle Ernst ◽  
Anne M. M. Boers ◽  
Scott Brown ◽  
Ludo F. M. Beenen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Medical Management ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Favorable Outcome ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
C Statistic ◽  
Strength Of Association

Abstract Purpose Follow-up infarct volume (FIV) is moderately associated with functional outcome. We hypothesized that accounting for infarct location would strengthen the association of FIV with functional outcome. Methods We included 252 patients from the HERMES collaboration with follow-up diffusion weighted imaging. Patients received endovascular treatment combined with best medical management (n = 52%) versus best medical management alone (n = 48%). FIV was quantified in low, moderate and high modified Rankin Scale (mRS)-relevant regions. We used binary logistic regression to study the relation between the total, high, moderate or low mRS-relevant FIVs and favorable outcome (mRS < 2) after 90 days. The strength of association was evaluated using the c-statistic. Results Small lesions only occupied high mRS-relevant brain regions. Lesions additionally occupied lower mRS-relevant brain regions if FIV expanded. Higher FIV was associated with a higher risk of unfavorable outcome, as were volumes of tissue with low, moderate and high mRS relevance. In multivariable modeling, only the volume of high mRS-relevant infarct was significantly associated with favorable outcome. The c-statistic was highest (0.76) for the models that included high mRS-relevant FIV or the combination of high, moderate and low mRS-relevant FIV but was not significantly different from the model that included only total FIV (0.75). Conclusion This study confirms the association of FIV and unfavorable functional outcome but showed no strengthened association if lesion location was taken into account.

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