scholarly journals Contact-Force Guided Pulmonary Vein Isolation does not Improve Success Rate in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Patients and Severe Left Atrial Enlargement: A 12-month Follow-Up Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enes Elvin Gul
EP Europace ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1653-1662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hikmet Yorgun ◽  
Uğur Canpolat ◽  
Metin Okşul ◽  
Yusuf Ziya Şener ◽  
Ahmet Hakan Ateş ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is not as successful as in paroxysmal AF, and recent data indicate the key role of non-PV triggers. We aimed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage isolation (LAAi) as an adjunct to PVI using cryoballoon (CB) in persistent AF. Methods and results We compared 144 persistent AF patients (59 ± 10 years, 51% females) who underwent PVI combined with LAAi with a propensity-score matched cohort of 138 persistent AF patients (59 ± 6 years, 52% female) in whom PVI-only was performed. Baseline and follow-up data including electrocardiography (ECG), 24-h Holter ECG’s, and echocardiography were recorded for all patients. Atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) recurrence was defined as detection of AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia (≥30 s) after a 3-month blanking period. At a mean of 30.5 ± 5.6 months follow-up, 85 (61.6%) patients in the PVI-only group and 109 (75.7%) patients in the PVI+LAAi group were free of ATa after the index procedure (P = 0.008). Ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack was detected in 4 (2.9%) patients in PVI-only group and in 5 (3.5%) patients in the PVI+LAAi group (P = 0.784). Cox regression analysis revealed that the PVI-only strategy was found as a significant predictor for recurrence (hazard ratio 3.01, 95% confidence interval 1.81–5.03; P < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings indicated that CB-based LAAi+PVI was associated with a favourable efficacy compared to PVI-only strategy in patients with persistent AF. Although ischaemic event rates were similar between the groups, rigorous adherence to anticoagulation regime is paramount in order to prevent thrombo-embolic complications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4S) ◽  
pp. 6-14
Author(s):  
T. Y. Chichkova ◽  
S. E. Mamchur ◽  
E. A. Khomenko

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.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D De Campos ◽  
L Puga ◽  
P Sousa ◽  
N Antonio ◽  
L Elvas

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Ablation Index (AI) software has been associated with better freedom from atrial arrhythmias after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). There is conflicting data regarding the relationship between high sensitivity cardiac Troponin I (Hs-cTnI) and arrhythmia recurrence. The objective was to evaluate the impact of AI on Hs-cTnI level and on ablation effectiveness quotient (AEQ) and to assess if these markers are predictors of arrhythmia recurrence.  Methods Prospective observational study of consecutive patients referred for PVI for paroxysmal AF ablation from October 2017 to June 2018 according to a pre-specified AI protocol. Procedural endpoints and 2-year follow-up outcomes were assessed and compared to a retrospective cohort of conventional PVI contact-force-guided group .  Results A total of 56 patients were included: 29 patients the AI group and 27 patients in the control group. The mean age was 60.5 ± 10.3 years, 48% males. Left ventricular ejection fraction (60 ± 6 % AI vs 61 ± 5 % control, P = 0.07) and left atrium diameter (43 ± 7 mm AI vs 44 ± 6 mm control, P = 0.58) were comparable between groups. First-pass isolation was shown to be higher in the AI group (79% AI vs 44%, p= 0.01). Mean number of radiofrequency applications was lower in the AI group (93 ± 24 vs 111 ± 30, P = 0.02). Average contact-force was similar between groups (17.6 ± 4.1 g vs 22.6 ± 10.7 g, P =0.166). Patients that performed PVI guided by the AI had lower Hs-cTnI (1815 ± 1146 ng/L vs 3274 ± 1696 ng/L, p &lt; 0.001) and lower AEQ (1.01 ± 0.7 ng/L/s vs 1.51 ± 0.7 ng/L/s, P = 0.011) compared to patients in the control group. During a mean follow-up of 26 ± 11 months, AF recurrence was documented in 10.3% of patients in the AI group and 22.2% in the control group (P = 0.223). Neither Hs-cTnI nor AEQ levels were predictors of arrhythmia recurrence.  Conclusions These data suggest that AI-guided catheter ablation is associated with reduced levels of of Hs-cTnI and AEQ. Neither Hs-cTnI and AEQ should be used to predict arrhythmia recurrence. Abstract Figure.


EP Europace ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Berte ◽  
Gabriella Hilfiker ◽  
Federico Moccetti ◽  
Thomas Schefer ◽  
Vanessa Weberndörfer ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using ablation index (AI) incorporates stability, contact force (CF), time, and power. The CLOSE protocol combines AI and ≤6 mm interlesion distance. Safety concerns are raised about surround flow ablation catheters (STSF). To compare safety and effectiveness of an atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation strategy using AI vs. CLOSE protocol using STSF. Methods and results First cluster was treated using AI and second cluster using CLOSE. Procedural data, safety, and recurrence of any atrial tachycardia (AT) or AF &gt;30 s were collected prospectively. All Classes 1c and III anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) were stopped after the blanking period. In total, all 215 consecutive patients [AI: 121 (paroxysmal: n = 97), CLOSE: n = 94 (paroxysmal: n = 74)] were included. Pulmonary vein isolation was reached in all in similar procedure duration (CLOSE: 107 ± 25 vs. AI: 102 ± 24 min; P = 0.1) and similar radiofrequency time (CLOSE: 36 ± 11 vs. AI: 37 ± 8 min; P = 0.4) but first pass isolation was higher in CLOSE vs. AI [left veins: 90% vs. 80%; P &lt; 0.05 and right veins: 84% vs. 73%; P &lt; 0.05]. Twelve-month off-AAD freedom of AF/AT was higher in CLOSE vs. AI [79% (paroxysmal: 85%) vs. 64% (paroxysmal: 68%); P &lt; 0.05]. Only four patients (2%) without recurrence were on AAD during follow-up. Major complications were similar (CLOSE: 2.1% vs. AI: 2.5%; P = 0.87). Conclusion The CLOSE protocol is more effective than a PVI approach solely using AI, especially in paroxysmal AF. In this off-AAD study, 79% of patients were free from AF/AT during 12-month follow-up. The STSF catheter appears to be safe using conventional CLOSE targets.


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.


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