Optimal ablation index parameters for radiofrequency ablation therapy of atrial fibrillation

Objective: To explore the optimal ablation index (AI) parameters for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RA) for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Method: Patients with AF (186) who underwent bilateral PVAI in the Department of Cardiology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Guangdong Province, from March 2018 to October 2019 and received catheter ablation as first-round treatment, were grouped according to the received AI. Control group included patients (95) who received the recommended AI ablation (350–400 for posterior wall, 400–450 for non-posterior wall). Patients in optimal AI group were ablated with optimal AI (300–330 for posterior wall, 350–380 for non-posterior wall). Results: Of 186 patients, 66 patients had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2.83±1.64. Isolation rates of bilateral PVI in both groups were 91.4% and 93.6%, for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and 81.7% and 80% for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (P > 0.05). Left atrial function index (LAFI) decreased under the condition of sinus rhythm at the 3rd and 6th months (P < 0.05). LAFI improvement was significantly better in the optimal AI group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Rates of pain and cough during the ablation, and postoperative gastrointestinal discomfort and use of PPIs were higher in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation of AF, guided by optimal AI combined with impedance, can minimize atrial injury, prevent atrial failure, promote the recovery of atrial function, reduces intraoperative cough, pain, and postoperative gastrointestinal discomfort and use of PPIs. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4971 How to cite this:Qin X, Jiang X, Yuan Q, Xu G, He X. Optimal ablation index parameters for radiofrequency ablation therapy of atrial fibrillation. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4971 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Spade-Shaped Anastomosis after Laparoscopic Proximal Gastrectomy Using Double Suture Anchoring between the Posterior Wall of the Esophagus and the Anterior Wall of the Stomach (SPADE Operation): A Case Series

We introduced SPADE operation, a novel anastomotic method after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (PG). Technical modifications were performed and settled. This report aimed to demonstrate the short-term clinical outcomes after settlement. Data from 34 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic PG with SPADE between June 2017 and March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Reflux was evaluated based on the patients’ symptoms and follow-up endoscopy using Los Angeles (LA) classification and RGB Classification (Residue, Gastritis, Bile). Other complications were classified using the Clavien–Dindo method. The incidence of reflux esophagitis was 2.9% (1/34). Bile reflux was observed in six patients (17.6%), and residual food was observed in 16 patients (47.1%) in the endoscopy. Twenty-eight patients had no reflux symptoms (82.4%), while five patients (14.7%) and one patient (2.9%) had mild and moderate reflux symptoms, respectively. The rates of anastomotic stricture and ileus were 14.7% (5/34) and 11.8% (4/34), respectively. No anastomotic leakage was observed. The incidence of major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher) was 14.7%. The SPADE operation following laparoscopic PG is effective in reducing gastroesophageal reflux. Its clinical usefulness should be validated using prospective clinical trials.

Thoracoscopic infrared ablation to create a box lesion as a treatment for atrial fibrillation

Background Creating a box lesion in the posterior wall of the left atrium from the epicardial side of the beating heart remains a challenge. Although a transmural lesion can be created by applying radiofrequency (RF) energy at clampable sites, it is still difficult to create a transmural lesion at unclampable sites because the inner blood flow in the unclampable free wall weakens the thermal effect on the outside. Our aim was to apply the newly developed infrared coagulator to create linear transmural lesions on the beating heart thoracoscopically to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). Case presentation A 71-year-old male was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and permanent atrial fibrillation. The patient was first diagnosed with atrial fibrillation 20 years before. Direct current cardioversion had been performed every few years a total of four times, but sinus rhythm restoration had always been temporary. On February 27, 2020, thoracoscopic PV isolation together with infrared roof- and bottom-line ablation to create a box lesion and left atrial appendage amputation (LAAA) were performed. The coagulator could be applied to clinical thoracoscopic surgery to successfully create a box lesion without any complication. The patient restored a regular sinus rhythm, it has been maintained for eleven months, and there have been no adverse events. Conclusions The infrared coagulator might have enough potential to create transmural lesions on the beating heart in thoracoscopic AF surgery.

Indications and Outcomes of the Kocher-Langenbeck Surgical Approach in the Management of Acetabular Fractures in a Resource Limited Setting

The Kocher-Langenbeck (K-L) approach is the ‘workhorse’ of surgery for acetabular fractures needing posterior fixation. It is indicated for most of these fractures for proper surgical technique and optimal outcome. We therefore evaluated the outcome of surgically treated acetabular fractures through the K-L approach in our setting with limited resources. 57 patients were operated by the K-L approach during the 3-year study period. The most common indications of this approach were: posterior wall (38.6%) and transverse + posterior wall fractures (36.8%). Based on Matta’s criteria of fracture reduction, 81 % were judged anatomic, 16% imperfect and 3 % poor. A surgery waiting time of 8 to 14 days after injury, significantly favoured anatomic fracture reduction. The MAP score was excellent in 72 % and unacceptable in 10.6 %. Factors associated with poor outcomes were poor fracture reduction and the development of early post-operative complications. Iatrogenic sciatic nerve palsy (ISNP) was the most significant post-operative complication (19.3%). The levering of Hohmann retractors in the sciatic notches was the major risk factor for developing ISNP, compared to the use of sciatic nerve retractors. Other early and late complications included surgical site infections (12.3%) and heterotopic ossification (8.8 %), respectively. The overall outcome following surgery by the K-L approach is satisfactory. However, there is need to ameliorate the technique, especially at the level of instrumentation, to limit post-operative complications.

Primary left atrial angiosarcoma mimicking pericarditis: A case report and review of the literature

A 45-year-old male presented with symptoms mimicking pericarditis, including rapidly worsening dyspnea and retrosternal chest pain. On imaging workup, an abnormal mass of 50x53 mm in size was detected at the left atrium, which partially obstructed blood flow through the mitral valve. PET/CT was done in searching for the probable site of origin but revealed no abnormal uptake lesions. The tumorectomy and excision of the posterior wall of the left atrium were then performed with curative intent. The postoperative histology of the tumor was in favor of a spindle cell sarcoma, originating from the left atrium, grade 2, which was confirmed as epithelioid angiosarcoma by immunohistochemistry. The patient denied adjuvant radiation, thus we treated him with six cycles of Paclitaxel monotherapy, which was completed six months ago. At present, he is doing well with no signs of recurrence on the imaging technique. This paper illustrates the rarity of cardiac angiosarcoma, its complex presentation, and a brief review of available treatment options for this devastating disease.

Axillary vein catheterization using ultrasound guidance: A prospective randomized cross-over controlled simulation comparing standard ultrasound and new needle-pilot device

Background: Real-time ultrasound (US) guidance facilitates central venous catheterization in intensive care unit (ICU). New magnetic needle-pilot devices could improve efficiency and safety of central venous catheterization. This simulation trial was aimed at comparing venipuncture with a new needle-pilot device to conventional US technique. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, simulation trial, 51 ICU physicians and residents cannulated the right axillary vein of a human torso mannequin with standard US guidance and with a needle-pilot system, in a randomized order. The primary outcome was the time from skin puncture to successful venous cannulation. The secondary outcomes were the number of skin punctures, the number of posterior wall puncture of the axillary vein, the number of arterial punctures, the number of needle redirections, the failure rate, and the operator comfort. Results: Time to successful cannulation was shorter with needle-pilot US-guided technique (22 s (interquartile range (IQR) = 16–42) vs 25 s (IQR = 19–128); median of difference (MOD) = −9 s (95%-confidence interval (CI) −5, −22), p < 0.001). The rates of skin punctures, posterior wall puncture of axillary vein, and needle redirections were also lower ( p < 0.01). Comfort was higher in needle-pilot US-guided group on a 11-points numeric scale (8 (IQR = 8–9) vs 6 (IQR = 6–8), p < 0.001). Conclusions: In a simulation model, US-guided axillary vein catheterization with a needle-pilot device was associated with a shorter time of successful cannulation and a decrease in numbers of skin punctures and complications. The results plea for investigating clinical performance of this new device.

Technique for detecting an electrical connection between the right atrium and right pulmonary venous carina

Introduction: There is increasing evidence of the epicardial connection between the right-sided pulmonary vein (PV) carina and right atrium interrupts right-sided PV isolation after circumferential PV ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation. In such cases, carina ablation is often required. This study aimed to assess the utility of the right atrial posterior wall (RAPW) pacing in the detection of the right-sided epicardial connection (EC), evaluate the requirement for additional carina ablation after circumferential pulmonary vein (PV) ablation depending on the presence of EC, and investigate the clinical characteristics including the amount of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in patients with ECs. Methods and Results: Forty-one patients scheduled for PV isolation were enrolled. Before ablation, activation mapping of the LA was prospectively performed during pacing from the RAPW. EC was observed in 12 patients (EC group, 29%), whereas no EC was observed in the remaining 29 patients (non-EC group, 71%). For PV isolation, carina ablation was required in addition to circumferential ablation in 7 patients (58%) in the EC group, compared to 2 patients (7%) in the non-EC group (p < 0.003). Periatrial and intercaval EAT volumes were significantly lower (12.8 ± 6.2 vs. 23.1 ± 13.9 ml/m , p < 0.02, and 1.1 ± 0.8 vs. 2.2 ± 1.6 ml/m , p< 0.02, respectively) and the patients were younger (66.5 ± 6.6 vs. 72.4 ± 8.3 years, p < 0.03) in the EC group than in the non-EC group. Conclusions: RAPW pacing revealed EC between the RA and right PV carina in nearly a quarter of the patients.