scholarly journals News from the Cold Chamber: Clinical Experiences of POLARx versus Arctic Front Advance for Single-Shot Pulmonary Vein Isolation

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Denise Guckel ◽  
Philipp Lucas ◽  
Khuraman Isgandarova ◽  
Mustapha El Hamriti ◽  
Leonard Bergau ◽  
...  

Cryoballoon (CB)-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) represents a cornerstone in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, a novel balloon-guided single shot device (POLARx, Boston Scientific) was designed. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy, safety and characteristics of the novel CB system with the established one (Arctic Front Advance (Pro), AFA, Medtronic). A total number of 596 patients undergoing CB-guided ablation for AF were included. 65 patients (65.0 ± 11.6, 31% female) undergoing PVI with the POLARx were compared to a cohort of 531 consecutive patients (63.0 ± 27.9, 25% female) treated with AFA. Acute PVI was achieved in all patients (n = 596, 100%). Total procedure duration (POLARx 113.3 ± 23.2 min, AFA 100.9 ± 21.3 min; p < 0.001) and fluoroscopy time (POLARx 10.5 ± 5.9 min, AFA 4.8 ± 3.6 min; p < 0.001) were significantly longer in the POLARx group. The POLARx balloon achieved significantly lower nadir temperatures (POLARx −57.7 ± 0.9 °C, AFA −45.1 ± 2.6 °C; p < 0.001) and a significantly higher percentage of pulmonary veins successfully isolated with the first freeze (p = 0.027 *). One major complication occurred in the POLARx (2%) and three (1%) in the AFA group. Both ablation systems are comparably safe and effective. AF ablation utilizing the POLARx system is associated with longer procedure and fluoroscopy times as well as lower nadir temperatures.

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
RRT Tilz ◽  
RMS Meyer-Saraei ◽  
JV Vogler ◽  
TF Fink ◽  
VS Sciacca ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The arctic front cryoballon (AF-CB) provides effective and durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) associated with encouraging clinical outcome data. The POLARx cryoballoon incorporates unique features which may translate into improved efficacy and safety. Purpose To assess efficacy and safety of the novel POLARx cryoballoon in comparison to the fourth generation arctic front cryoballon (AF-CB4). Methods Twenty-five consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) were prospectively enrolled, underwent POLARx based PVI (POLARx group) and were compared to 25 consecutive patients treated with the fourth generation AF-CB (AF-CB4 group). Results A total of 100 (POLARx) and 97 (AF-CB4) pulmonary veins (PV) were identified and all PVs were successfully isolated utilizing the POLARx and AF-CB4, respectively. A significant difference regarding the mean minimal cryoballoon temperatures reached using the AF-CB4 and POLARx (-50 ± 6°C vs. -57 ± 7°C, p = 0.004) was observed. Real-time PVI was visualized in 81% of POLARx patients and 42% of AF-CB4 patients (p &lt; 0.001). Despite a certain learning curve utilizing the POLARx a trend towards shorter median procedure time (POLARx: 45 (39, 53) minutes vs. AF-CB4: 55 (50, 60) minutes (p = 0.062) was found. No differences were observed for periprocedural complications. Conclusions The novel POLARx showed similar safety and efficacy compared to the AF-CB4. A higher rate of real-time electrical PV recordings and significantly lower balloon temperatures were observed using the POLARx as compared to AF-CB4.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A P Martin ◽  
M Fowler ◽  
N Lever

Abstract Background Pulmonary vein isolation using cryotherapy is an established treatment for the management of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Ablation using the commercially available balloon cryocatheter has been shown to create wide antral pulmonary vein isolation. A novel balloon cryocatheter (BCC) has been designed to maintain uniform pressure and size during ablation, potentially improving contact with the antral anatomy. The extent of ablation created using the novel BCC has not previously been established. Purpose To determine the anatomical extent of pulmonary vein isolation using electroanatomical mapping when performing catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using the novel BCC. Methods Nine consecutive patients underwent pre-procedure computed tomography angiography of the left atrium to quantify the chamber dimensions. An electroanatomical map was created using the cryoablation system mapping catheter and a high definition mapping system. A bipolar voltage map was obtained following ablation to determine the extent of pulmonary vein isolation ablation. A volumetric technique was used to quantify the extent of vein and posterior wall electrical isolation in addition to traditional techniques for proving entrance and exit block. Results All patients had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, mean age 56 years, 7 (78%) male. Electrical isolation was achieved for 100% of the pulmonary veins; mean total procedure time was 109 min (+/- 26 SD), and fluoroscopy time 14.9 min (+/- 2.4 SD). The median treatment applications per vein was one (range one - four), and median treatment duration 180 sec (range 180 -240). Left atrial volume 32 mL/m2 (+/- 7 SD), and mean left atrial posterior wall area 22 cm2 (+/- 4 SD). Data was available for quantitative assessment of the extent of ablation for eight patients. No lesions (0 of 32) were ostial in nature. The antral surface area of ablation was not statistically different between the left and right sided pulmonary veins (p 0.63), which were 5.9 (1.6 SD) and 5.4 (2.1 SD) cm2 respectively. In total 50% of the posterior left atrial wall was ablated.  Conclusion Pulmonary vein isolation using a novel BCC provides a wide and antral lesion set. There is significant debulking of the posterior wall of the left atrium. Abstract Figure.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaojie Chen ◽  
Boris Schmidt ◽  
Stefano Bordignon ◽  
Fabrizio Bologna ◽  
K. R. Julian Chun

Abstract Background Cryoballoon ablation is an established procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients who had previous pulmonary surgery undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were seldom reported. Case presentation We describe an AF ablation using the novel short-tip third-generation cryoballoon in a patient with resected pulmonary vein. All pulmonary veins were successfully isolated without complication. The short-tip third-generation cryoballoon shows advantageous profile in PVI for AF patients with previous pulmonary surgery. Conclusions This report indicates that for AF patient who had previous resected PV surgery, the short-tip CB 3 provides an ideal device option for real-time PVI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 4478
Author(s):  
Shibu Mathew ◽  
Islam Saboukh ◽  
Parminder Singh ◽  
Bastian Fries ◽  
Victoria Johnson ◽  
...  

Cryoballoon (CB)-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective treatment modality for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with encouraging acute and long-term outcome data. However, the size of collaterally created lesion sets adjacent to the pulmonary veins (PVs) remains unclear, especially when CB ablation is performed with individualized time-to-isolation (TTI) protocols. This study seeks to investigate the extension of lesions at the posterior wall and the roof of the left atrium (LA). Thirty patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF underwent ablation with a fourth-generation CB. The individual freeze-cycle duration was set at TTI + 120 s. A total of 120 PVs were identified, and all were successfully isolated. A three-dimensional electroanatomical high-density (HD) mapping of the LA was performed in every patient before and after PVI. The surface areas of the posterior wall and LA roof were measured and compared with lesion extension after PVI. After CB ablation, 65.6 ± 16.9% of the posterior wall and 75.4 ± 18.4% of the LA roof remained unablated. In addition, non-antral lesion formation was observed in every patient in at least one PV. After CB ablation, anterior antral parts of the superior PVs showed the greatest unablated areas compared with the other antral areas. HD re-mapping after CB-based PVI demonstrated that major regions of the posterior wall and roof remained electrically normal and unaffected. Unablated antral areas were localized predominantly in the anterior segments of the superior PVs and may be partly responsible for AF recurrence.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaojie Chen ◽  
Boris Schmidt ◽  
Stefano Bordignon ◽  
Fabrizio Bologna ◽  
Takahiko Nagase ◽  
...  

Catheter ablation is the most effective treatment option for patients suffering from symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins is the procedural cornerstone. Point-by-point radiofrequency current energy ablation in combination with a 3D electro-anatomical mapping system is the established approach to ablation. In contrast, cryoballoon ablation uses a single-shot approach to facilitate pulmonary vein isolation. However, fixed cryoballoon diameters (28 mm or 23 mm) and non-balloon compliance can lead to technical difficulties in isolating variable pulmonary vein anatomies. This review focuses on key procedural aspects and illustrates practical techniques in cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation to shorten the learning curve without compromising safety and efficacy. It has a special emphasis on inferior pulmonary veins.


Heart Rhythm ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. S10-S11
Author(s):  
Jacob S. Koruth ◽  
Iwanari Kawamura ◽  
Srinivas R. Dukkipati ◽  
William Whang ◽  
Mohit Turagam ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A R Morgado Gomes ◽  
N S C Antonio ◽  
S Silva ◽  
M Madeira ◽  
P Sousa ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation is pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), either using point-by-point radiofrequency ablation (RF) or single-shot ablation devices, such as cryoballoon ablation (CB). However, achieving permanent transmural lesions is difficult and pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection is common. Elevation of high-sensitivity Troponin I (hsTnI) may be used as a surrogate marker for transmural lesions. Still, data regarding the comparison of hsTnI increase after PVI with RF or cryo-energy is controversial. Purpose The aim of this study is to compare the magnitude of hsTnI elevation after PVI with CB versus RF using ablation index guidance. Methods Prospective study of 60 patients admitted for first ablation procedure of paroxysmal or persistent AF in a single tertiary Cardiology Department. Thirty patients were submitted to PVI using CB and 30 patients were submitted to RF, using CARTO® mapping system and ablation index guidance. Patients with atrial flutter were excluded. Baseline characteristics were compared between groups, as well as hsTnI before and after the procedure. Results Mean age was 57.9±12.3 years old, 62% of patients were male and 77% had paroxysmal AF. There were no significant differences between groups regarding gender, age, prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, obesity or AF type. There was also no significant difference in electrical cardioversion need during the procedure. HsTnI median value before ablation was 1.90±1.98 ng/dL. Postprocedural hsTnI was significantly higher in CB-group (6562.7±4756.2 ng/dL versus 1564.3±830.7 ng/dL in RF-group; P=0.001). Regarding periprocedural complications, there was only one case of mild pericardial effusion in RF-group associated with postablation hsTnI of 1180.0 ng/dL. Conclusions High-sensitivity Troponin I was significantly elevated after PVI, irrespective of the ablation technique. In CB-group, hsTnI elevation was significantly higher than in RF-group. This disparity may reflect more extensive lesions with cryoablation, without compromising safety. Longterm studies are needed to understand whether this hsTnI elevation is predictive of a lower AF recurrence rate. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (51) ◽  
pp. 4-7
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Wojdyła-Hordyńska ◽  
Jakub Baran ◽  
Paweł Derejko

The first use of cryoablation in the treatment of arrhythmia has already been described over 40 years ago [1]. Since the introduction of cryoballoon in pulmonary veins isolation in atrial fibrillation treatment, the method has started to attract a lot of interest. Over 350,000 procedures around the word were carried out only by 2018 [2]. Recently, there have been several new publications on the results of second-generation cryoballoon ablation [2, 3, 4]. In view of technology changes, and to summarize years of experience in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the first Cryousers conference was organized, and held in 2018 in Poland. During this meeting a survey was conducted, obtaining data on the practice of atrial fibrillation treatment in 38 Polish electrophysiological centers performing cryoablation of atrial fibrillation using both balloons, Arctic Front Advance, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis MN, and radiofrequency point by point ablation. Around 3,745 cryoballoon procedures were performed in the surveyed centers during the year preceding the survey. The survey concerned practical issues related to the qualification and preparation of patients for the procedure, its course, and the results of pulmonary veins isolation in Poland.


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