scholarly journals Mapping Technologies for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Beyond Pulmonary Vein Isolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio La Rosa ◽  
Jorge G Quintanilla ◽  
Ricardo Salgado ◽  
Juan José González-Ferrer ◽  
Victoria Cañadas-Godoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Minimally Invasive Therapy ◽  
Af Ablation ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Significant Step ◽  
Near Future

Catheter ablation remains the most effective and relatively minimally invasive therapy for rhythm control in patients with AF. Ablation has consistently shown a reduction of arrhythmia-related symptoms and significant improvement in patients’ quality of life compared with medical treatment. The ablation strategy relies on a well-established anatomical approach of effective pulmonary vein isolation. Additional anatomical targets have been reported with the aim of increasing procedure success in complex substrates. However, larger ablated areas with uncertainty of targeting relevant regions for AF initiation or maintenance are not exempt from the potential risk of complications and pro-arrhythmia. Recent developments in mapping tools and computational methods for advanced signal processing during AF have reported novel strategies to identify atrial regions associated with AF maintenance. These novel tools – although mainly limited to research series – represent a significant step forward towards the understanding of complex patterns of propagation during AF and the potential achievement of patient-tailored AF ablation strategies for the near future.

scholarly journals Recent advances in rhythm control for atrial fibrillation

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bond ◽  
Brian Olshansky ◽  
Paulus Kirchhof
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Management Problem ◽  
Recent Trial ◽  
Control Therapy

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a difficult management problem. The restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm—rhythm control therapy—can markedly improve symptoms and haemodynamics for patients who have paroxysmal or persistent AF, but some patients fare well with rate control alone. Sinus rhythm can be achieved with anti-arrhythmic drugs or electrical cardioversion, but the maintenance of sinus rhythm without recurrence is more challenging. Catheter ablation of the AF triggers is more effective than anti-arrhythmic drugs at maintaining sinus rhythm. Whilst pulmonary vein isolation is an effective strategy, other ablation targets are being evaluated to improve sinus rhythm maintenance, especially in patients with chronic forms of AF. Previously extensive ablation strategies have been used for patients with persistent AF, but a recent trial has shown that pulmonary vein isolation without additional ablation lesions is associated with outcomes similar to those of more extensive ablation. This has led to an increase in catheter-based technology to achieve durable pulmonary vein isolation. Furthermore, a combination of anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation seems useful to improve the effectiveness of rhythm control therapy. Two large ongoing trials evaluate whether a modern rhythm control therapy can improve prognosis in patients with AF.

P2849Prevalence and significance of sustained pulmonary vein isolation in repeat AF ablation procedures

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D J Nascimento Matos ◽  
D Cavaco ◽  
G Rodrigues ◽  
J Carmo ◽  
M S Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Af Ablation ◽  
Rf Applications ◽  
The Right ◽  
Af Recurrence

Abstract Introduction Pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection is a common cause of relapse after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, some patients have AF recurrence despite durable PV isolation. The aim of this study was to assess the PV isolation status at the time of a second catheter ablation (redo) procedure, and its relationship with subsequent AF relapse. Methods Consecutive patients with symptomatic drug-resistant AF who underwent redo procedures from January 2006 to December 2017 were identified in a single-center observational registry. Pulmonary vein isolation status was assessed during the electrophysiologic study with a circular mapping catheter. Additional radiofrequency (RF) energy applications were also recorded. AF relapse was defined as symptomatic or documented AF/atrial tachycardia/atrial flutter after a 3-month blanking period. Results We identified 240 patients (77 [32%] females, median age 61 [IQR 53–67] years, 85 [35%] with non-paroxysmal AF) undergoing redo procedures during the study period. At the time of redo, 17 (7%) of the patients presented bidirectional conduction block of all PVs. PV reconnection occurred in 157 (65%) of cases in the left superior vein, 142 (59%) in the left inferior vein, 177 (73%) in the right superior vein, and 163 (68%) in the right inferior vein (table). All of the PVs were reconducted in 91 (38%) patients. Additional RF applications were performed in the left atrium (LA) roof, LA posterior wall, cavotricuspid isthmus, mitral isthmus, superior vena cava, coronary sinus, and left atrial appendage ostium, at the operator's discretion (table 1). Over a median follow-up of 2-years (IQR 1–5), 126 patients (53%) suffered AF recurrence, yielding a mean relapse rate of 17%/year. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the lack of PV reconnection at the time of redo emerged as an independent predictor of subsequent relapse (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.12–3.49, p=0.019) even after adjustment for univariate predictors including non-paroxysmal AF, body mass index, female sex, and active smoking. Conclusion In patients undergoing redo AF ablation procedures, less than 10% present with complete PV isolation. Despite being relatively infrequent, this finding is independently associated with greater likelihood of subsequent recurrence, suggesting that other mechanisms, not fully addressed by additional RF applications, are at play.

scholarly journals Sufficient pulmonary vein image quality of non-enhanced multi-detector row computed tomography for pulmonary vein isolation by catheter ablation

EP Europace ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Yamaji ◽  
K. Hina ◽  
H. Kawamura ◽  
T. Murakami ◽  
M. Murakami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Image Quality ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation

scholarly journals Ongoing antiarrhythmic drug therapy type does not affect the rate of first-pass pulmonary vein isolation: data from a multicenter registry

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Gasimova ◽  
E Kropotkin ◽  
E Ivanitsky ◽  
G Kolunin ◽  
A Nechepurenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Beta Blockers ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Af Ablation ◽  
First Pass ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Multicenter Registry

Abstract Background It is well-known that antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) change the electrophysiological properties of the atrium mostly by increasing the atrial refractory period and wavelength for reentry. Frequently, atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation is being performed with AAD interruption. However, the information on the impact of AAD on AF ablation performance is lacking, and AAD interruption is not desirable in highly symptomatic patients with persistent arrhythmia. Purpose We sought to study potential differences in achieving first-pass pulmonary vein isolation (FPI) during AF ablation in patients receiving different classes of ongoing AADs. Methods This was a prospective observational multicenter registry. All centers were invited to participate in the registry voluntarily. Data on demographic, clinical, and procedure characteristics were derived from a web-based system. All catheter ablation procedures were performed according to local practices. A total of 450 patients were enrolled, 408 of them underwent first-time AF ablation. Data on AAD characteristics were available in 350 patients (mean age 61±9 years, 195 (56%) males, 270 (77%) had paroxysmal AF). All patients were divided into three groups: ongoing I class AAD treatment (propafenone, ethacyzin, allapinin, n=76), ongoing II class AAD (beta-blockers, n=60), and ongoing III class AAD (amiodarone, sotalol, n=214). Results Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics between AAD groups are summarized in Table. Patients in the I class AAD group were younger, likely had paroxysmal AF, and a smaller mean left atrial diameter. Procedures in the III class AAD group were performed with a higher median target ablation index on the posterior left atrial wall. But the percentage of first-pass isolation was distributed equally between groups (60%, 68%, 61%, p=0.56). The correlation matrix revealed no significant associations between FPI and clinical and procedural variables (r=0.02–0.09; p>0.05 for all). Conclusion(s) Our real-life multicenter data demonstrate no difference in FPI achievement between patients receiving different AADs. We suggest that highly symptomatic patients may continue pharmacological treatment during AF ablation without compromising acute ablation success. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Ministry of Science and Higher Education grant (Russian Federation President Grant) Table 1. Clinical and procedural parameter

scholarly journals Differences in quality of life improvement with pulmonary vein isolation alone vs. more extensive ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: insights from the EARNEST-PVI trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Kanda ◽  
M Masuda ◽  
K Inoue ◽  
Y Furukawa ◽  
A Hirata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Life Improvement

Abstract Background Improving the quality of life (QoL) is one of the main purposes of catheter ablation (CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). QoL improvement in persistent AF patients has not been fully clarified. The EARNEST-PVI trial was a multi-center randomized trial comparing clinical outcomes of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone and more intensive ablation in addition to PVI including complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) and linear ablation (PVI plus). Purpose To investigate the QoL change after persistent AF ablation and the differences between the PVI-alone strategy and the PVI plus strategy. Methods In the EARNEST-PVI trial, patients with persistent AF who underwent an initial catheter ablation (n=512) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either PVI alone or PVI plus. Quality of life was assessed at baseline and at 12 months after ablation for AF using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Scores were also converted to a physical health component summary (PCS), a mental health component summary (MCS) and a role/social component summary (RCS). Results In the EARNEST-PVI trial, the PVI alone strategy was associated with higher recurrence rate compared with the PVI plus additional ablation strategy. After excluding 68 patients for whom preoperative or postoperative QoL assessment was not available, 222 patients were evaluated respectively. Overall, significant improvements in PCS (46.2±11.4 to 48.7±11.4]), MCS (50.1±8.8 to 54.3±8.6) and RCS (44.6±13.3 to 48.6±11.3) occurred 12 months after ablation (P<0.001, respectively). Although significant QoL improvement occurred in both PVI alone and PLI plus strategies, the changes in PCS was greater in the PVI-plus than that in PVI-alone (3.5±10.3 vs 1.5±10.6, P=0.04). Conclusions Ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation improved both physical and mental quality of life. The PVI-plus strategy showed greater improvement in physical QoL. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. QoL improvement

Real-time local impedance monitoring to assess tissue lesion during pulmonary vein isolation: a new tool for AF ablation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Di Cori ◽  
L Segreti ◽  
G Zucchelli ◽  
S Viani ◽  
F Tarasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽  
Contact Force ◽  
Vascular Complications ◽  
Lesion Formation ◽  
Tissue Impedance ◽  
Af Ablation ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Background Contact force catheter ablation is the gold standard for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Local tissue impedance (LI) evaluation has been recently studied to evaluate lesion formation during radiofrequency ablation. Purpose Aim of the study was to assess the outcomes of an irrigated catether with LI alghorithm compared to contact force (CF)-sensing catheters in the treatment of symptomatic AF. Methods A prospective, single-center, nonrandomized study was conducted, to compare outcomes between CF-AF ablation (Group 1) and LI-AF ablation (Group 2). For Group 1 ablation was performed using the Carto 3© System with the SmartTouch SF catheter and, as ablation target, an ablation index value of 500 anterior and 400 posterior. For Group 2, ablation was performed using the Rhythmia™ System with novel ablation catheter with a dedicated algorithm (DirectSense) used to measure LI at the distal electrode of this catheter. An absolute impedance drop greater than 20Ω was used at each targeted. According to the Close Protocol, ablation included a point by point pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with an Inter-lesion space ≤5 mm in both Groups. Procedural endpoint was PVI, with confirmed bidirectional block. Results A total of 116 patients were enrolled, 59 patients in Group 1 (CF) and 57 in Group 2 (LI), 65 (63%) with a paroxismal AF and 36 (37%) with a persistent AF. Baseline patients features were not different between groups (P=ns). LI-Group showed a comparable procedural time (180±89 vs 180±56, P=0.59) but with a longer fluoroscopy time (20±12 vs 13±9 min, P=0.002). Wide antral isolation was more often observed in CF-Group (95% vs 80%, P=0.022), while LI-Group 2 required frequently additional right or left carina ablation (28% vs 14%, P=0.013). The mean LI was 106±14Ω prior to ablation and 92.5±11Ω after ablation (mean LI drop of 13.5±8Ω) during a median RF time of 26 [19–34] sec for each ablation spot. No steam pops or complications during the procedures were reported. The acute procedural success was 100%, with all PVs successfully isolated in all study patients. Regarding safety, only minor vascular complications were observed (5%), without differences between groups (p=0.97). During follow up, 9-month freedom from atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia recurrence was 86% in Group 1 and 75% in Group 2 (P=0.2). Conclusions An LI-guided PV ablation strategy seems to be safe and effective, with acute and mid-term outcomes comparable to the current contact force strategy. LI monitoring could be a promising complementary parameter to evaluate not only wall contact but also lesion formation during power delivery. Procedural Outcomes Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Saline Irrigated Catheter Ablation for Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Pigs:. An Experimental Model

2004 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
JIAN PENG ◽  
ANTONIO H. MADRID ◽  
ALBERTO PALMEIRO ◽  
JOSE MARIA G REBOLLO ◽  
LILIANNA LIMON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Experimental Model ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽  
Irrigated Catheter
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