Robotic Application of a Novel Dual-Energy Device for Left Atrial Ablation: Intraoperative and Early Postoperative Results

Objective Recent trials show that in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), pulmonary vein isolation performed with bipolar surgical ablation clamps using small bilateral thoracotomies is more effective than pulmonary vein isolation using standard catheter ablation. This improved efficacy comes with higher invasiveness including difficulty in execution and potentially more acute complications. Monopolar “loop” devices overcome these drawbacks but at the potential cost of decreased efficacy. Technology that has bipolar effectiveness but with improved access and safety profiles, capable of being deployed endoscopically on a beating heart, would be desirable. We evaluated an ablation system that may have all of these characteristics. Methods Between May 2012 and May 2013, 30 patients were treated surgically for AF using a right-sided endoscopic approach with robotic assistance. In each patient, a “box” ablation lesion set was created around all pulmonary veins with a new linear suction-applied dual-mode (monopolar and bipolar) radiofrequency (RF) ablation device that was looped around the pulmonary veins. Temperature-controlled RF was applied for 60 seconds, with a set temperature of 70°C, first in the bipolar mode and then in a separate RF ablation for 60 seconds at 70°C in the monopolar mode. Acute effectiveness of the procedure was assessed using conduction block testing and by attempting to induce sustained AF with rapid atrial pacing. The left atrial appendage (LAA) was occluded in all patients with multiple ENDOLOOP snares using a left video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approach under transesophageal echocardiography guidance, after which the tip of the LAA was incised to empty the LAA of blood. All patients were seen clinically at 30, 90, and 180 days with routine electrocardiography monitoring: at 6 months, 24-hour Holter monitoring was performed. Results Acute conduction block was achieved in 93% the of patients, and sustained AF could not be induced by rapid atrial pacing after the surgical ablation procedure in 90% of the patients. At 3- and 6-month follow-up, 88% and 81% of the patients, respectively, were in sinus rhythm. Of 16 the patients seen at 12-month follow-up, 14 (88%) were in sinus rhythm with 44% still on antiarrhythmic medications. Conclusions The newly introduced bipolar/monopolar RF ablation device can be easily positioned using a right endoscopic approach. Robotic assistance enables effective fat removal for accurate and easy placement of the device around the pulmonary veins. With the use of this approach, the device is safe and effective in electrically isolating the pulmonary veins.

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Evaluation of the Effect of Pulmonary Vein Isolation Treatment With Left Atrial Catheter Ablation Method on Atrial Conduction Times in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

10.21203/rs.3.rs-167274/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ibrahim Donmez ◽

Fatma Hizal Erdem ◽

Tolga Memioğlu ◽

Emrah Acar

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Tissue Doppler ◽

Conduction Delay ◽

Conduction Time ◽

Rf Ablation ◽

Interatrial Conduction

Abstract PurposeAtrial fibrillation (AF) causes structural, electrical, and cellular remodeling in the atrium. Evaluation of intra- and interatrial conduction time, which is measured by tissue doppler echocardiography, indicates structural and electrical remodeling in the atrium. In the meta-analysis of the studies investigating rhythm control treatment strategy in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; radiofrequency (RF) ablation has been shown to be superior over antiarrhythmics in ensuring and protecting sinus rhythm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pulmonary vein isolation applied with RF ablation therapy on intra- and interatrial conduction time and to investigate the structural and electrically remodeling after treatment.MethodsFifty-two patients with symptomatic PAF despite at least one antiarrhythmic drug and without structural heart disease were included in the study. Two patients were excluded because of complications developed during and after the operation. Fifty patients (28 female; mean age: 51.68 ± 11.731; mean left atrial diameter: 36.79 ± 4.318) who underwent CARTO® 3D pulmonary vein isolation applied with the RF ablation system were followed-up. Intra- and the inter-atrial electromechanical delay was measured in all patients by tissue doppler echocardiography before and three months after RF ablation. ResultsAll intra- and interatrial conduction times were significantly decreased 3 months after RF ablation procedure (PA lateral p = 0.022; PA septum p = 0.002; PA tricuspid p = 0.019, interatrial conduction delay p= 0,012, intra-atrial conduction delay p = 0.029).ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that providing stable sinus rhythm by the elimination of the AF triggering mechanisms with RF ablation of pulmonary vein isolation may slow down, stop or even improve structural remodeling at substrate level secondary to AF even in patients who did not yet develop atrial fibrosis and permanent structural changes.

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P1056Left atrial and left atrial appendage ejection fraction assessed by preprocedural cardiac CT are useful parameters for predicting the outcome of pulmonary vein isolation

EP Europace ◽

10.1093/europace/euaa162.054 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

R Rezar ◽

R Kaufmann ◽

B Strohmer ◽

B Wernly ◽

M Lichtenauer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ejection Fraction ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Cardiac Ct ◽

Left Atrial Appendage ◽

Atrial Appendage ◽

Functional Parameters

Abstract Introduction Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective but complex treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore preprocedural outcome prediction is of special interest. Left atrial volume (LAVmax) is a commonly used predictor for recurring arrhythmia. Several studies have investigated different parameters for the prediction of sustained rhythm control. We hypothesized that left atrial and left atrial appendage ejection fraction (LAEF & LAAEF) assessed by high-resolution CT-imaging are even more sensitive predictors of the outcome of PVI than LAVmax. Methods All patients who underwent PVI between 2015 and 2018 with available preinterventional cardiac CT were included in this retrospective study and separated into 2 groups: Group A comprises all patients with sinus rhythm (SR) at follow-up and group B all patients in whom recurrence of AF was observed. Volumetric analysis of the left atrium was performed in ventricular systole (30%-Phase of the cardiac cycle) and diastole (0%-Phase). Obtained data were used to calculate left atrial and left appendage ejection fractions (LAEF & LAAEF). Success of pulmonary vein isolation was defined as clinical freedom of symptomatic AF together with sinus rhythm on the available Holter-ECG recordings during follow-up examinations. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression models and NAMS RMLE tests were used to compare LAVmax to these functional parameters. Results In total 152 patients with symptomatic paroxsymal or persistent AF underwent PVI at our hospital from 2015 to 2018. Due to inconsistencies in archiving in our PACS-system, 98 patients had to be excluded from analysis. Four patients were excluded due to motion artifacts. 50 patients were included in the final study (41 patients without and 9 patients with recurring AF on average 254 days after ablation). Significant differences in means were found for all assessed parameters. LAEF (accuracy 94%, sensitivity 67%) and LAAEF (accuracy 90%, sensitivity 67%) had a higher sensitivity than LAVmax (accuracy 86%, sensitivity 33%), though not significant in this study population (p = 0.18). LAVmax and LAEF in combination improved sensitivity significantly from 33% to 78% (p = 0.046). Measurements on cardiac-CT showed an excellent interobserver-reliability. Conclusion Reduced LAEF and LAAEF were found to be significant predictors of the outcome of PVI. Furthermore we found a trend that these functional parameters might be more sensitive than LAVmax. Thus we propose that left atrial function, assessed with preprocedural cardiac CT, offers important prognostic information for successful PVI. Abstract Figure. Surface rendering of LA and LAA

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Comparison of Ca2+-handling properties of canine pulmonary vein and left atrial cardiomyocytes

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00730.2005 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 291 (5) ◽

pp. H2290-H2300 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Pierre Coutu ◽

Denis Chartier ◽

Stanley Nattel

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Cardiac Tissue ◽

Pulmonary Veins ◽

Atrial Pacing ◽

Atrial Cardiomyocytes ◽

Adrenergic Response ◽

Amplitude Increase ◽

In Cells

Cardiac tissue in the pulmonary vein sleeves plays an important role in clinical atrial fibrillation. Mechanisms leading to pulmonary vein activity in atrial fibrillation remain unclear. Indirect experimental evidence points to pulmonary vein Ca2+ handling as a potential culprit, but there are no direct studies of pulmonary vein cardiomyocyte Ca2+ handling in the literature. We used the Ca2+-sensitive dye indo-1 AM to study Ca2+ handling in isolated canine pulmonary vein and left atrial myocytes. Results were obtained at 35°C and room temperature in cells from control dogs and in cardiomyocytes from dogs subjected to 7-day rapid atrial pacing. We found that basic Ca2+-transient properties (amplitude: 186 ± 28 vs. 216 ± 25 nM; stimulus to half-decay time: 192 ± 9 vs. 192 ± 9 ms; atria vs. pulmonary vein, respectively, at 1 Hz), beat-to-beat regularity, propensity to alternans, β-adrenergic response (amplitude increase at 0.4 Hz: 96 ± 52 vs. 129 ± 61%), number of spontaneous Ca2+-transient events after Ca2+ loading (in normal Tyrode: 0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.3 ± 0.2; with 1 μM isoproterenol: 7.6 ± 0.3 vs. 5.1 ± 1.8 events/min), and caffeine-induced Ca2+-transient amplitudes were not significantly different between atrial and pulmonary vein cardiomyocytes. In an arrhythmia-promoting model (dogs subjected to 7-day atrial tachypacing), Ca2+-transient amplitude and kinetics were the same in cells from both pulmonary veins and atrium. In conclusion, the similar Ca2+-handling properties of canine pulmonary vein and left atrial cardiomyocytes that we observed do not support the hypothesis that intrinsic Ca2+-handling differences account for the role of pulmonary veins in atrial fibrillation.

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Early change in left atrial and left ventricular strain predicts sinus rhythm maintenance after cardioversion

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0142 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

K Kupczynska ◽

D Miskowiec ◽

B Michalski ◽

L Szyda ◽

K Wierzbowska-Drabik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Speckle Tracking ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Recurrence Risk ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Mechanical Function ◽

Af Recurrence

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) impairs mechanical function of the heart, especially atria and restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) leads to improvement of mechanics. The predicting role of changes in strain parameters for AF recurrence is not established yet. Purpose To analyse changes in left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) mechanical function after conversion to SR and their prognostic values for AF recurrence during 24 months follow-up. Methods Prospective study involved 59 patients after successful electrical cardioversion (EC) because of nonvalvular AF (mean age 65±4 years, 47% female). Speckle tracking analysis (STE) was applied to calculate longitudinal strain of LV and LA before EC and within 24 hours after restoration of SR and additionally total left heart strain (TS) defined as a sum of absolute peak LV and LA strain. We calculated change in strain between AF and SR analyses expressed as delta (Δ). During follow-up we noticed AF recurrence in 42 (71%) patients, most of them (93%) during 1st year after EC. Median time of AF recurrence was 3 months. Results We noticed significant immediate post-EC improvement in peak LA longitudinal strain (PALS) and LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) (table). Unlike CHA2DS2-VASc score, strain parameters were predictors of AF recurrence. Every 1% increment in ΔLVGLS was related with 13% increase in AF recurrence risk (p=0.02) and every 1% increment in ΔPALS and ΔTS were related with 9% decrease in AF recurrence risk (p=0.007 and p=0.0014, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed ΔTS as a strongest predictor with 9% decrease in AF risk per every 1% increment. The criterion of ΔTS ≤7.5% allows to predict AF recurrence with 81% sensitivity and 63% specificity. Conclusions Speckle tracking measurements are able to detect early mechanical changes in LA even within 24 hours of SR and these absolute changes in LVGLS as well as PALS can predict AF recurrence, with optimal stratification by novel parameter - TS. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Long-term follow-up of thoracoscopic ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0625 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

N Harlaar ◽

M.A.P Oudeman ◽

S.A Trines ◽

G.S De Ruiter ◽

M Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Atrial Arrhythmia ◽

Wilcoxon Test ◽

Continuous Group ◽

Loop Recorder ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Rhythm Monitoring

Abstract Background Catheter ablation in patients with long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF) remains challenging and often requires repeated procedures with variable results. We report long-term outcomes of a bipolar thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and left atrial posterior wall ablation for LSPAF, and compare continuous and interval rhythm monitoring. Methods Seventy-seven LSPAF patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation between 2009–2017 in two Dutch centers were included. Follow-up consisted of continuous rhythm monitoring using an implanted loop recorder or 24-h Holter at 3/6/12/24/60 months. Results Mean age was 59±8 years with a median AF duration of 3.8 [1.2–6.3] years. In the total cohort, at 2-year follow-up, 86.0% of patients were in sinus rhythm, 12.3% were in paroxysmal AF and 1.6% in persistent AF. At 5 years, 62.9% of patients were in sinus rhythm, 20.0% in paroxysmal AF, 14.3% in persistent AF and 2.9% was experiencing atrial flutter. Continuous rhythm monitoring was performed in 46% of patients. Comparing continuous and interval rhythm monitoring, freedom from any atrial arrhythmia episode at 2- and 5 years was 60.0% and 49.9% in the continuous group and 93.8% and 51.9% in the interval monitoring group, respectively (p=0.02, Breslow-Wilcoxon test). In patients with continuous rhythm monitoring the mean atrial arrhythmia burden was reduced from 99.1% preoperatively to 0.1% at the end of the blanking period and 7.3% at 2-year follow-up. Conclusions Thoracoscopic box ablation is highly effective in restoring sinus rhythm at medium term follow-up. However, it is not a curative treatment as demonstrated by the 50% arrhythmia-free survival at long-term follow-up. Whether this is due to the progressive nature of AF needs further investigation. Continuous rhythm monitoring shows earlier recurrence detection with a potential early treatment adaptation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Epicardial Box Lesion Using Bipolar Biparietal Radiofrequency and Multimodality Scar Evaluation - a case series

European Heart Journal - Case Reports ◽

10.1093/ehjcr/ytab530 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

G P Bijvoet ◽

S M Chaldoupi ◽

E Bidar ◽

R J Holtackers ◽

J G L M Luermans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Veins ◽

Case Series ◽

Small Population ◽

Surgical Ablation ◽

Af Ablation ◽

Surgical Tool ◽

Atrial Remodelling ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Thoracoscopic Procedure

Abstract Background Surgical epicardial AF ablation can be performed as a stand-alone (thoracoscopic) procedure or concomitant to other cardiac surgery. In hybrid AF ablation thoracoscopic surgical epicardial ablation is combined with a percutaneous endocardial ablation. The Medtronic Gemini-S clamp is a surgical tool that uses irrigated bipolar biparietal RF energy applied with two clamp lesions that overlap to create one epicardial box lesion including the posterior LA wall and the pulmonary veins. Case summary We describe three patients with therapy-refractory persistent AF and different stages of atrial remodelling in whom the Medtronic Cardioblate Gemini-S Irrigated RF Surgical Ablation System was used for hybrid AF ablation. Acute endocardial validation at the end of the hybrid ablation revealed a complete box lesion in all three cases. At 2-year follow-up, two out of three patients had recurrence of atrial arrhythmias. Invasive electro-anatomical mapping confirmed persistence of the box lesion, and the mechanism of arrhythmia recurrence in both patients was unrelated to posterior left atrium or the pulmonary veins. The third patient has been without arrhythmia symptoms since the ablation procedure. A 3D late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) illustrates the ablation scar non-invasively in two cases. Discussion Thoracoscopic biparietal RF AF ablation with the Medtronic Cardioblate Gemini-S Irrigated RF Surgical Ablation System results in permanent transmural scar formation, irrespective of the stage of atrial remodelling, as shown in this small population by means of multimodality scar evaluation.

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Feasibility and efficacy using the KODEX-EPD imaging system in right atrial flutter ablation: a single center experience

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.0383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

V Schillaci ◽

G Stabile ◽

G Shopova ◽

A Arestia ◽

A Agresta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Flutter ◽

Imaging System ◽

Conduction Block ◽

Right Atrial ◽

Atrial Pacing ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Typical Atrial Flutter ◽

Procedural Time

Abstract Background Isthmus-dependent right atrial flutter is the most frequently encountered atrial flutter in clinical practice (80–90% of atrial flutters). Purpose The aim of our study was to assess as first experience the feasibility and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) guided by KODEX-EPD imaging system in patients presenting with typical atrial flutter (AFL). Methods 16 consecutive patients (mean age 68,46±7,8 years, 80% males) with diagnosis of AFL underwent RFCA guided by KODEX-EPD imaging system. In 15 patients the analysis performed during tachycardia showed a counter-clockwise activation. In 1 patient no tachycardia could be induced and the ablation was performed in sinus rhythm with fixed pacing from the coronary sinus. The KODEX-EPD imaging system was also used to guide ablation and to confirm persistent bidirectional block after ablation. Results Mean procedural time was 37,6±8,2 min, mean radiofrequency ablation time was 7,8±3,4 min, and mean fluoroscopy time was 2,1±1,2 min. All procedures were acutely successful with interruption of AFL during RFCA along the inferior CTI in 15 patients and achievement of the bidirectional conduction block in 16 patients proven by atrial pacing medial and lateral to the ablation line. There were no major procedural and 30-day complications. Over a mean follow-up of 18 months, we observed no recurrence of arrhythmia and no complications. Conclusions Our study shows that RFCA for AFL using the KODEX-EPD imaging system is feasible, safe, and effective. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

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A novel individualized strategy for cryoballoon catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

10.21203/rs.2.16351/v4 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jun Ding ◽

Jing Xu ◽

Wei Ma ◽

Bingwei Chen ◽

Peigen Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Dwell Time ◽

Pulmonary Veins ◽

Group Versus ◽

Conventional Group ◽

Optimal Dosage ◽

Total Procedure Time ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background : The optimal dosage for cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (Cryo-AF) is still unknown. To evaluate the efficacy of an individualized freeze duration, we compared the clinical outcome of patients treated with a time-to-pulmonary vein isolation (TT-PVI) or temperature-guided ablation protocol to the outcome of patients treated with a conventional ablation protocol. Methods: A total of 164 consecutive patients were included in the study. One method employed was a conventional dosing protocol (at least 2 applications of 180 seconds each)(the Cryo-AF Conventional group n=84), and the second method had a shorter protocol that was based on the TT-PVI or achievement of -40°C within 60 seconds (the Cryo-AF Dosing group n=80). Results: We treated 656 pulmonary veins (PVs) with 1420 cryotherapy applications. The mean number of applications per patient was 8.7±0.8, with no difference between groups (Cryo-AF Conventional , 8.7±0.8 versus Cryo-AF Dosing ,8.6±0.8; P =0.359). The Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total cryotherapy application time (990.60±137.77versus 1501.58±89.60 seconds; P <0.001) and left atrial dwell time (69.91±6.91 versus 86.48±7.03 minutes; P <0.001) than the Cryo-AF Conventional group. Additionally, the Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total procedure time (95.03±6.50 versus 112.43±7.11 minutes; P <0.001). We observed acute ATP-induced or spontaneous vein electric reconnections in 13 veins (1.98%) after 20 minutes. The reconnection rates between the Cryo-AF Conventional and Cryo-AF Dosing groups were similar in that 2.98% and 0.94% of the initially isolated veins were reconnected, respectively, ( P =0.061). There was no difference in the recurrence rate of free atrial arrhythmia after a 1-year follow-up, which were 78.75% in the Cryo-AF Dosing group versus 78.57% in the Cryo-AF Conventional group ( P =0.978). Conclusion: A novel Cryo-AF dosing protocol guided by temperature or the TT-PVI can be used to individualize an ablation strategy. This new protocol can lead to a significant reduction in duration of the procedure, the cryoenergy dosage and the left atrial dwell time. The procedure had equal safety and similar acute and 1-year follow-up outcomes compared to the conventional approach.

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Clinical success of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation

Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

10.17802/2306-1278-2018-7-4s-6-14 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4S) ◽

pp. 6-14

Author(s):

T. Y. Chichkova ◽

S. E. Mamchur ◽

E. A. Khomenko

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Direct Current ◽

Clinical Success ◽

Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cryoballoon Ablation ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Rf Ablation

Aim. To estimate the clinical success of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).Methods.230 patients (males: 49.6%, mean age 57 (53; 62) with symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) resistant to antiarrhythmic therapy were included in a single-center prospective study. The patients were randomized into 2 groups to undergo either cryoballoon ablation (n = 122) or radiofrequency (RF) (n = 108) ablation. Both groups were comparable in baseline parameters. The follow-up period was 12 months. Clinical outcomes were estimated with the use of a three-stage scale. The rates of cardiovascular rehospitalizations, direct-current cardioversions and repeated ablations during were estimated within the follow-up. The quality of life (QoL) in the cryoablation group was measured using the AFEQT scale.Results.77% (n = 94) of patients in the cryoballoon ablation group and 71.3% (n = 77) of patients in the RF group (р = 0.71) demonstrated reported the optimal clinical effects. Both groups, cryo ablation and RF ablation, had similar rates of cardiovascular hospitalizations (23.8 vs 28.7%, OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.4; р = 0.39), direct-current cardioversions (12.3 vs 17.6%, OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.3–1.4; р = 0.26) and repeated ablations (9.8–11.1%, OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.4–2.0; р = 0.75). The patients treated with cryoballoon as opposed to RF ablation had significantly more successful usage of “pill-in-pocket” strategy – 14.8 vs 6.5% (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.01–6.2; р = 0.04). Significant improvements of the QoL parameters with strong size effect have been found in the cryoablation group, i.e. global score (GS) increased by 8.9±6.9 (95% CI 6.6–10.1; dCohen 1.2; р<0.001), symptoms (S) – by 8.3±7.9 (95% CI 4.2–8.8; dCohen 1.5; р<0.001), daily activities (DA) – by 10.0±6.9 (95% CI = 6.4–10.6; dCohen 0.9; р<0.001), treatment concerns (TC) – by 5.5±6.0 (95% CI 6.3–9.2; dCohen 1.2; р<0.001) and treatment satisfaction (TS) – by 5.5±6.0 (95% CI 5.4–9.8; dCohen 0.9; р<0.001).Conclusion.The both catheter-based technologies had comparable clinical success. Cryoablation was characterized by improvement in all QoL parameters based on the AFEQT score.

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Multi-catheter cryotherapy compared with radiofrequency ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: a randomized clinical trial

EP Europace ◽

10.1093/europace/euaa289 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mark M Gallagher ◽

Gang Yi ◽

Hanney Gonna ◽

Lisa W M Leung ◽

Idris Harding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Rf Ablation ◽

Ablation Efficiency ◽

Mapping System ◽

3D Mapping System ◽

Front Advance

Abstract Aims Restoring sinus rhythm (SR) by ablation alone is an endpoint used in radiofrequency (RF) ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) but not with cryotherapy. The simultaneous use of two cryotherapy catheters can improve ablation efficiency; we compared this with RF ablation in chronic persistent AF aiming for termination to SR by ablation alone. Methods and results Consecutive patients undergoing their first ablation for persistent AF of >6 months duration were screened. A total of 100 participants were randomized 1:1 to multi-catheter cryotherapy or RF. For cryotherapy, a 28-mm Arctic Front Advance was used in tandem with focal cryoablation catheters. Open-irrigated, non-force sensing catheters were used in the RF group with a 3D mapping system. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation and non-PV triggers were targeted. Participants were followed up at 6 and 12 months, then yearly. Acute PVI was achieved in all cases. More patients in the multi-catheter cryotherapy group were restored to SR by ablation alone, with a shorter procedure duration. Sinus rhythm continued to the last available follow-up in 16/49 patients (33%) in the multi-catheter at 3.0 ± 1.6 years post-ablation and in 12/50 patients (24%) in the RF group at 4.0 ± 1.2 years post-ablation. The yearly rate of arrhythmia recurrence was similar. Conclusion Multi-catheter cryotherapy can restore SR by ablation alone in more cases and more quickly than RF ablation. Long-term success is difficult to achieve by either methods and is similar with both.

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