scholarly journals Dynamics of Intraprocedural Dominant Frequency Identifies Ablation Outcome in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Pithon ◽  
Anna McCann ◽  
Andréa Buttu ◽  
Jean-Marc Vesin ◽  
Patrizio Pascale ◽  
...  

Background: The role of dominant frequency (DF) in tracking the efficiency of a stepwise catheter ablation (step-CA) in persistent atrial fibrillation (peAF) remains poorly studied. We hypothesized that the DF time-course during step-CA displays divergent patterns between patients in whom a step-CA successfully restores long-term sinus rhythm (SR) and those with recurrence.Methods: This study involved 40 consecutive patients who underwent a step-CA for peAF (sustained duration 19 ± 11 months). Dominant frequency was computed on electrograms recorded from the right and left atrial appendages (RAA; LAA) and the coronary sinus before and during the step-CA synchronously to the 12-lead ECG. Dominant frequency was defined as the highest peak within the power spectrum.Results: Persistent atrial fibrillation was terminated by a step-CA in 28 patients [left-terminated (LT)], whereas 12 patients remaining in AF after ablation [not left-terminated (NLT)] were cardioverted. Over a mean follow-up of 34 ± 14 months, all NLT patients had a recurrence. Among the 28 LT patients, 20 had a recurrence, while 8 remained in SR throughout follow-up. The RAA and V1 DF had the best predictive values of the procedural failure to terminate AF (area under the curve; AUC 0.84, p < 0.05). A decision tree model including a decrease in LAA DF ≥ 6.61% during the first 20 min following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and a baseline RAA DF <5.6 Hz predicted long-term SR restoration with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 93% (p < 0.05).Conclusion: This study found that high baseline DF values are predictive of unfavorable ablation outcomes. The reduction of the LAA DF at early ablation steps following PVI is associated with procedural AF termination and long-term SR maintenance.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pithon ◽  
A Luca ◽  
A Buttu ◽  
J M Vesin ◽  
L Roten ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction We previously reported that patients (pts) with recurrence (Rec) after stepwise catheter ablation (step-CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (pAF) exhibit high bi-atrial intracardiac dominant frequencies (DF) values before ablation, indicative of a severe bi-atrial electro-anatomical remodeling. Purpose Herein, we hypothesized that a gradual decrease in DF values during step-CA is associated with pAF termination and maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) on the long term. Method In 40 consecutive pts (61±8 yo, sustained AF duration 19±11 months), pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and left atrium (LA) ablation were performed until pAF termination or cardioversion. 10-sec intracardiac electrograms (EGMs) epochs were recorded before ablation (BL), during PVI and during complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) and linear ablation (post_PVI) in the right atrial (RAA) and left atrial (LAA) appendages and in the coronary sinus (CS). DF was defined as the highest peak within the [3–15] Hz EGM spectrum. Rec was defined as any atrial arrhythmia lasting >30 sec during follow-up (FU). Results pAF was terminated within the LA in 70% (28/40, LT) of the pts, while 30% (12/40, NLT) were not. After a mean FU of 34±14 months, all NLT pts had a Rec, while LT pts presented a Rec in 71% (20/28, LT_rec) and remained in SR in 29% (8/28, LT_norec). Figure 1 shows: 1) a gradient in DF values measured in the LAA (panel A), RAA (panel B) and CS (panel C) with the highest values in NLT pts (red), intermediate values in LT_rec pts (yellow) and lowest DF values in LT_norec pts (green); 2) all three groups displayed a gradual intracardiac organization during LA ablation as shown by decreasing DF values (p<0.05, BL vs post_PVI), but the LT_norec pts (green) exhibited the highest relative changes in DF from BL (p<0.05, LT_norec vs NLT, Δ range: −5.31 to −9.69%). Figure 1. Effect of ablation on DF Conclusion Low DF values before ablation and gradual intracardiac organization until pAF termination are associated with maintenance of SR on the long term.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark M Gallagher ◽  
Gang Yi ◽  
Hanney Gonna ◽  
Lisa W M Leung ◽  
Idris Harding ◽  
...  

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 &gt;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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seigo Yamashita ◽  
Michifumi Tokuda ◽  
Saagar Mahida ◽  
Hidenori Sato ◽  
Hirotsugu Ikewaki ◽  
...  

AbstractThe optimal ablation strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) remains to be defined. We sought to compare very long-term outcomes between linear ablation and electrogram (EGM)-guided ablation for PsAF. In a retrospective analysis, long-term arrhythmia-free survival compared between two propensity-score matched cohorts, one with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and linear ablation including roof/mitral isthmus line (LINE-group, n = 52) and one with PVI and EGM-guided ablation (EGM-group; n = 52). Overall, 99% of patients underwent successful PVI. Complete block following linear ablation was achieved for 94% of roof lines and 81% of mitral lines (both lines blocked in 75%). AF termination by EGM-guided ablation was accomplished in 40% of patients. Non-PV foci were targeted in 7 (13%) in the LINE-group and 5 (10%) patients in the EGM-group (p = 0.76). During 100 ± 28 months of follow-up, linear ablation was associated with superior arrhythmia-free survival after the initial and last procedure (1.8 ± 0.9 procedures) compared with EGM-group (Logrank test: p = 0.0001 and p = 0.045, respectively). In multivariable analysis, longer AF duration and EGM-guided ablation remained as independent predictors of atrial arrhythmia recurrence. Linear ablation might be a more effective complementary technique to PVI than EGM-guided ablation for PsAF ablation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Yan ◽  
S.J Zhu ◽  
M Zhu ◽  
C.F Guo

Abstract Background Surgical treatment has assumed a more prominent role in the therapy of atrial fibrillation (AF) with favorable efficiency and acceptable safety during the last decades. The traditional Cox-Maze procedure and Wolf Mini-Maze procedure focused on left atrial ablation. However, it is ubiquitous that patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) typically suffer from biatrial electrical and structural remodeling. The left atrial procedures are still not enough in patients with LSPAF. Purpose Herein, we aimed to introduce a modified biatrial off-pump ablation procedure based on the Wolf Mini-Maze procedure and to detect the safety and efficacy of the surgery for patients with LSPAF. Methods Between January 2016 and September 2020, 102 patients of LSPAF underwent our modified Mini-Maze procedure using bipolar radiofrequency ablation. Those patients firstly underwent a Mini-Maze procedure using Dallas lesion set, including video-assisted bilateral mini-thoracotomy, left atrial appendage excision, bilateral pulmonary vein isolation, ganglionic plexi evaluation and destruction, left atrial roof connecting lesion, and a linear lesion connecting this roofline to the root of the aorta at the junction of the left coronary and the non-coronary cusp. Secondly, a purse-string suture was performed on the right atrium, and then four ablation lesions were made to the superior vena cava, to the inferior vena cava, to the appendix of the right atrium, and to the tricuspid valve annulus from the purse-string suture point by the bipolar radiofrequency clamp. After the operation, the patients were followed up at an interval of 3, 6, 12 months, and every 1 year after that. Results No mortality No surgical re-exploration for bleeding. No permanent pacemaker implantation. 99 patients were free from LSPAF upon discharge. A follow-up at interval of 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months showed a success rate free from LSPAF was 95.1% (97/102), 94.4% (85/90), 94.8% (73/77), 91.5% (54/59), 90.3% (28/31) and 100% (9/9), respectively Conclusions The modified biatrial Mini-Maze suggested a safe and feasible procedure. Early follow-up demonstrated an acceptable success rate free from AF. It might have the potential to become another option for clinical treatment of LSPAF. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Schematic of the procedure


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Musat ◽  
N Milstein ◽  
R Shaw ◽  
A Bhatt ◽  
M Preminger ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is increasingly being used in patients (pts) with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there are limited data about the pattern of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in these pts. Objective To assess, using an implantable loop recorder (ILR), the patterns of AF recurrence following CB PVI in pts with persistent atrial fibrillation. Methods We enrolled consecutive pts with persistent AF ablation undergoing their first CB ablation. Other cavotricuspid isthmus ablation when indicated, no other ablation was performed. A Reveal LINQ ILR (Medtronic) was implanted <3 months following ablation; all pts had a minimum of 1-year follow-up. The recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia was determined and adjudicated; 4 distinct AF patterns were characterized (Figure). Results We studied 64 pts (66±9 years; 50 [78%] male; CHA2DS2-VASc 2.6±1.9) with persistent AF; 52 (81%) pts were on an antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) peri-ablation. During 803±361 days of follow-up, 33 (52%) pts had their 1st AF recurrence 91–365 days post-ablation and another 17 (27%) pts had their 1st AF recurrence >365 days post-ablation. No AF was seen in 14 (31%) pts. Most pts (33 of 50, 66%) with AF recurrence presented with 1 of 3 distinct patterns of paroxysmal AF (Figure), which ranged from 22 min to 124 hours. In 2/3 of these pts, all AF recurrences lasted <24 hours. Only 17 (34%) pts recurred with persistent AF. Conclusion Following single CB PVI, most pts with persistent AF remained free of persistent AF during long-term follow-up. Most pts with recurrent AF have 1 of 3 distinct patterns with episodes commonly last <24 hours. These data suggest that CB PVI ablation may halt AF progression in pts initially presenting with persistent AF.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Kettering

Abstract Background Catheter ablation has become the first line of therapy in patients with symptomatic, recurrent, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation is still the standard approach in these patients. However, the results are not very favourable and more complex ablation strategies are the subject of current controversy. Therefore, we have evaluated the effect of an additional linear lesion at the roof of the left atrium on the long-term outcome. Methods A total of 220 patients (114 men, 106 women; mean age 69 years (SD ± 14 years)) with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation underwent a circumferential pulmonary vein ablation procedure in combination with an additional linear lesion at the roof of the left atrium (group A). After discharge, patients were scheduled for repeated visits at the arrhythmia clinic at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 and 102 months after the ablation procedure. The long-term follow-up data was compared to 220 patients who underwent circumferential pulmonary vein ablation without an additional linear lesion at the roof of the left atrium (group B). Results The ablation procedure could be performed as planned in all patients. Fifty-one out of 220 patients (23.2 %) in group A and 53 out of 220 patients (24.1 %) in group B experienced an arrhythmia recurrence within the first 3 months after ablation requiring an electrical cardioversion. At 102-month follow-up, analysis of a 168-hour ECG recording revealed no evidence for an arrhythmia recurrence in 125/220 patients (56.8 %) in group A and in 103/220 patients (46.8 %) in group B. In 66/220 patients (30.0 %) in group A and 59/220 patients (26.8 %) in group B, only short episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were documented. In 29 patients (13.2 %) in group A, a recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation (&gt; 48 hours) was revealed by the long-term recordings (group B: 58 patients (26.4 %)). The lower arrhythmia recurrence rate in group A was partially due to a lower incidence of atypical atrial flutter after catheter ablation. The rate of repeat ablation procedures was significantly lower in group A than in group B. There were no major complications. Conclusions Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation comprising a circumferential pulmonary vein ablation and an additional linear lesion at the roof of the left atrium provides more favourable results than circumferential pulmonary vein ablation alone. The effect is more pronounced during long-term than during short-term follow-up.


2006 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Sasaki ◽  
Shinichi Niwano ◽  
Sae Sasaki ◽  
Ryuta Imaki ◽  
Masaru Yuge ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Katbeh ◽  
T De Potter ◽  
P Geelen ◽  
E Stefanidis ◽  
K Iliodromitis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrial structural and functional changes may develop as a result of catheter ablation (CA) in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the relation between AF recurrence and atrial performance following CA is still under debate. Our aim is to describe the long-term effects of CA on LA remodeling and its correlates to the maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR). Methods We prospectively enrolled 178 consecutive patients (age: 63±9 years, 35% females) with paroxysmal AF undergoing first-CA (67%) or redo-CA (22%), and 20 individuals (11%) with long-standing persistent AF (PAF) undergoing first CA. All patients underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and at 12-month follow-up, including the assessment of reservoir and contractile strain (LAS) using two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in all three apical views. The study population was divided in two sub-groups according to AF recurrence during follow-up. Results During one-year follow-up, 144 (81%) patients maintained SR whereas 34 (19%) patients had AF recurrence [first-CA group 16 (13%), redo-CA group 8 (20%) and PAF group 10 (50%)]. Improvement of LAS was observed only in patients with paroxysmal and long-standing persistent AF who underwent the first CA and who remained in SR (Figure 1A, 1C). In contrast, recurrent AF was associated with absence of LAS improvement (Figure 1A, 1C). Different time course of LA performance was observed in the redo-CA group, i.e. LAS remained unchanged from baseline regardless of long-term maintenance of SR (Figure 1B). Moreover, at follow-up, no significant differences in LAS between redo-CA patients with SR versus AF were observed. Of note, in patients with long-standing persistent AF and SR, follow-up LAS increased to values observed in the redo-CA group. Conclusion LA performance following CA is strongly affected by complex interplay between extent of atrial electro-structural remodeling and CA procedure. Repeated wide CA might affects negatively LA compliance and contractility despite SR restoration. Figure 1. Reservoir and contractile LAS at Baseline and 12-month follow-up in the First-CA (1A), the Redo-CA (1B) and the long-standing persistent AF (1C) groups in patients who maintained SR versus patients who had AF recurrence. *p value &lt;0.05 (baseline vs. follow-up). Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): International PhD programme in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Therapeutics (CardioPaTh).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document