Catheter ablation using pulmonary vein isolation with versus without left atrial posterior wall isolation for persistent atrial fibrillation: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Combined Left Atrial Posterior Wall Linear Ablation and Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Reducing Long-Term Recurrence Rates After Surgery in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate whether combining left atrial posterior wall linear ablation with PVI (LAPVI) improves long-term outcomes in patients with persistent AF.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial, 228 patients with persistent AF underwent PVI and were randomly assigned to either receive additional LAPVI or not. Procedures used a standardized protocol under general anesthesia. Outcomes, including sinus rhythm maintenance and recurrence rates of AF, were assessed at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post-procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables.

RESULTS

At 2 years, 74.77% of the LAPVI group maintained sinus rhythm compared to 54.7% in the PVI group (P = 0.002). Recurrence rates of paroxysmal and persistent AF were significantly lower in the LAPVI group at 11.71% and 9.01%, respectively, versus 24.79% and 20.51% in the PVI group (P < 0.05). Antiarrhythmic drug use was significantly reduced in the LAPVI group at each follow-up interval (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

LAPVI significantly enhances long-term rhythm control and reduces dependence on antiarrhythmic drugs compared to PVI alone in patients with persistent AF.

Pulsed-field ablation versus radiofrequency or cryoballoon thermal ablation in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This review investigated efficacy and safety of pulsed-field ablation (PFA) in comparison with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoballoon ablation (CBA), or both combined. The Odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were computed. PFA allowed shorter procedure (MD -44.27 minutes, 95% CI: -63.61; -24.93) and left atrium (LA) dwell (MD -32.71 minutes (95% CI: -58.64; -6.78) times, but with longer fluoroscopy time than RFA (MD 8.54 minutes, 95% CI: 4.03; 13.04). Post-procedural complications rate was lower with PFA than CBA (OR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.80). Atrial arrhythmias recurrence rate within one year of follow-up was lower with PFA than RFA (OR 0.68, 95% CI; 0.53; 0.87) and CBA (OR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48; 0.97). PFA allowed shorter procedure and LA dwell times, as well as lower atrial arrhythmia recurrence than RFA and lower post-procedural complications and atrial arrhythmias recurrence rates than CBA.

Efficacy and Safety of Adjunctive Posterior Wall Isolation in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

In patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), addition of posterior wall isolation (PWI) to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

Compare PVI plus PWI versus PVI alone in patients with persistent AF.

METHODS

We searched PubMed (by MEDLINE), Embase, LILACS, CENTRAL (by Cochrane Library), and Clinicaltrials.gov databases for randomized trials comparing PVI + PWI and PVI alone in persistent AF. The outcomes were: (i) AF recurrence; (ii) composite of recurrent atrial arrhythmias (i.e., AF, atrial tachycardia, or atrial flutter); (iii) major clinical complications (i.e., pericardial effusion or tamponade, sinus node dysfunction, or atrioesophageal fistula); (iv) mean ablation time. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool and GRADE, respectively. Statistical significance was set at 5%, and subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

We included eight studies and 1119 patients, of which 561 underwent PVI + PWI. During follow-up (12 - 24 months), recurrence of AF was significantly reduced with adjunctive PWI (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.44-0.98). Composite of recurrent atrial arrhythmias did not differ significantly (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.65-1.06). Major clinical complications (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.42-1.58) were similar, with PVI alone having a shorter mean procedure time (mean difference -23.37 minutes, 95% CI -30.23, -16.50).

CONCLUSION

Adjunctive PWI appears to be effective in improving recurrent AF, but not recurrence of all atrial arrhythmias. Procedure time was longer with PVI + PWI without significant change in overall safety. Further studies should focus on long-term benefit.

Catheter Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation: Recent Advances

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the leading cause of arrhythmia-related morbidity and mortality. Recurrent symptoms, hospitalizations, and cost burden to patients have necessitated treatments beyond antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) for patients with AF. Catheter ablation has proven to be effective over medical therapy alone; however the recurrence rates for atrial tachyarrhythmias post-ablation remain significant, particularly in patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF. Hence, new techniques for catheter ablation have arisen, such as non-thermal energy sources, novel catheters, electroanatomical mapping, and ablation of additional targets. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the field of catheter ablation, including newer modalities for the prevention of adverse events and future perspectives.

Adjunctive Left Atrial Posterior Wall Isolation in Treating Non-Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND

The clinical outcomes of adjunctive posterior wall isolation (PWI) beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) remain unclear. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the role of PWI in non-paroxysmal AF by pooled analysis of most updated randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS

A literature search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify RCTs comparing the outcomes of PVI with and without PWI in non-paroxysmal AF patients. The primary outcomes were recurrence rates of all atrial arrhythmias, AF, and atrial tachycardia/flutter (AT/AFL). The secondary outcomes included total procedure time, ablation time, fluoroscopy time and procedure-related complications. Estimated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs with a total of 1,243 non-paroxysmal AF patients were included in our analysis. There were no significant differences in all atrial arrhythmias recurrence (RR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.66-1.11, p = 0.24, I2 = 49%) and AF recurrence (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.51-1.08, p = 0.12, I2 = 62%) between stand-alone PVI group and PVI plus PWI group. Adjunctive PWI increased the AT/AFL recurrence rate (RR: 1.62 95% CI: 1.08-2.42, p = 0.02, I2 = 0%). In the subgroup analysis, PWI using cryoballoon ablation was associated with a significantly lower recurrence rate of all atrial arrhythmias (p = 0.01) and AF (p = 0.02) recurrence and similar recurrence rate of AT/AFL (p = 0.15). Additional PWI was associated with an increased AT/AFL recurrence (p = 0.03) in patients with left atrial diameter (LAD) <44 mm. Adjunctive PWI needed longer ablation time, fluoroscopy time, and total procedure time. The incidence of procedural adverse events was low and similar between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Adjunctive PWI beyond PVI did not improve the freedom from all atrial arrhythmias and AF with an increased recurrence rate of AT/AFL in non-paroxysmal AF patients. The ablation energy and LAD might affect the clinical outcome of PWI. However, larger more RCTs were needed to verify our findings.

Left atrial posterior wall isolation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation using a pentaspline catheter in pulsed-field ablation for atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) may require extensive ablation strategies. Left atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI) might address potential substrates for recurrence during pulsed-field ablation (PFA).

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of LAPWI in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using a pentaspline catheter in PFA for AF.

METHODS

Comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, and EuropePMC for studies reporting LAPWI+PVI using a pentaspline catheter in PFA ablation for AF. The primary outcome was atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) recurrence, defined as AF/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia after blanking period.

RESULTS

There were 882 patients from 7 studies. The success rate of LAPWI was 100% using mean/median of 16 to 20 added PFA applications with no reported acute left atrial posterior wall reconnection and esophageal complications. In mean follow-up of 240 ± 91 days, ATa recurrence was 21% (95% CI 13%-29%; I2 = 84.8%) in the LAPWI+PVI group. Meta-regression analysis showed that age, left ventricular ejection fraction, and repeat procedure did not significantly influence ATa recurrence (P > .05). Each 1-mm increase in left atrial diameter, increases the chance of ATa recurrence by 6% (R2 = 100%, P < .001, I2 = 0%). Meta-analysis showed no difference in terms of ATa recurrence among LAPWI+PVI patients compared with those without LAPWI (odds ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.50-1.21, P = .27; I2 = 0%, P = .86). Procedure time and fluoroscopy time did not significantly differ (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

LAPWI using a pentaspline catheter during PFA was feasible and did not prolong the procedure/fluoroscopy but did not reduce ATa recurrence. LAPWI may be considered during PFA, although the benefit is uncertain.

Safety and effectiveness of additional left atrial posterior wall ablation using pulsed field ablation for persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation patients

INTRODUCTION

The unique safety profile of pulsed field ablation (PFA) has made pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) + left atrial posterior wall (LAPW) ablation promising for treating persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF). The goal of this study was to assess long-term freedom from atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia (AF/AFL/AT), as well as the safety and feasibility of LAPW PFA using multipolar, pentaspline Farawave catheter.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study at a single institution. Data for 94 patients were collected from a prespecified intraprocedural registry. The long-term AF/AFL/AT recurrence assessment was based on an analysis of medical history; 24-h Holter ECGs at 3, 6, and 12 months postablation; and 12-lead ECGs recorded during symptomatic episodes or visits.

RESULTS

Half of the patients had ls-PerAF, and half had a history of catheter ablation-mostly RF PVI. The acute ablation success rate was 100%, and the primary safety outcome was observed in 2 patients. Fifty patients experienced AF/AFL/AT recurrence (54.3%). An increase in LAPW low-voltage areas and AF classification were associated with arrhythmia recurrence. After a median follow-up of 13 months, the Kaplan‒Meier estimated median time free of AF/AFL/AT after a single procedure was 14.7 months.

CONCLUSION

PFA PVI + PWA had the best outcome in perAF patients without extensive LA fibrosis. AF recurrence was paroxysmal in significant part of the cohort. The addition of PWA to PVI using multipolar PFA was safe and did not significantly influence the transpired ablation time.

Cryoballoon-Assisted Pulmonary Vein Isolation and Left Atrial Roof Ablation Using a Simplified Sedation Strategy without Esophageal Temperature Monitoring: No Notable Thermal Esophageal Lesions and Low Arrhythmia Recurrence Rates after 2 Years

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is increasingly effective for managing heart rhythm but poses risks like esophageal fistulas. Minimizing esophageal thermal lesions while simplifying procedures is crucial.

METHODS

This prospective study involved 100 consecutive AF patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation with simplified sedation, without esophageal temperature monitoring. Patients with paroxysmal AF (Group A) received pulmonary vein isolation only, while those with persistent AF (Group B) also had left atrial roof ablation. Gastroesophageal endoscopy was performed post-procedure to detect lesions, and cardiological follow-ups were conducted at 3, 12, and 24 months.

RESULTS

The cohort included 69% men, with a median age of 65.5 years. Post-ablation endoscopy was performed in 92 patients; esophageal lesions were found in 1.1% of Group A and none of Group B. GERD was diagnosed in 14% of patients, evenly distributed between groups and not linked to lesion occurrence. Gastric hypomotility was observed in 16% of patients, with no significant difference between groups. At 24 months, arrhythmia-free survival was 88% in Group A and 74% in Group B.

CONCLUSION

Cryoballoon-assisted pulmonary vein isolation, with or without additional left atrial roof ablation and without esophageal temperature monitoring during a simplified sedation strategy, shows low risk of esophageal thermal injury and effective ablation outcomes.