Atrial tachycardias following atrial fibrillation ablation

SuperMap algorithm: an efficient, safe and accurate modality for mapping and eliminating challenging cardiac arrhythmias

Even with the development of advanced catheter-based mapping systems, there remain several challenges in the electrophysiological evaluation and elimination of atrial arrhythmias. For instance, atrial tachycardias with irregular rates cannot be reliably mapped by systems that require stability in order to sequentially gather data points to be organized thereafter. Separately, these arrhythmias often arise following initial ablation for atrial fibrillation, posing logistic challenges. Here, we present the available literature summarizing the use of a non-contact mapping catheter, the AcQMap catheter, in conjunction with SuperMap, an algorithm that compiles a large number of non-contact data points from multiple catheter positions within the atria. These studies demonstrate the efficiency, safety and accuracy of this technology.

Robotic magnetic navigation-guided catheter ablation establishes highly effective pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation when compared to conventional ablation techniques

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a pivotal part of ablative therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). Currently, there are multiple techniques available to realize PVI, including: manual-guided cryoballoon (MAN-CB), manual-guided radiofrequency (MAN-RF), and robotic magnetic navigation-guided radiofrequency ablation (RMN-RF). There is a lack of large prospective trials comparing contemporary RMN-RF with the more conventional ablation techniques. This study prospectively compared three catheter ablation techniques as treatment of paroxysmal AF.

METHODS

This multicenter, prospective study included patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent their first ablation procedure. Procedural parameters (including procedural efficiency), complication rates, and freedom of AF during 12-month follow-up, were compared between three study groups which were defined by the utilized ablation technique.

RESULTS

A total of 221 patients were included in this study. Total procedure time was significantly shorter in MAN-CB (78 ± 21 min) compared to MAN-RF (115 ± 41 min; p < .001) and compared to RMN-RF (129 ± 32 min; p < .001), whereas it was comparable between the two radiofrequency (RF) groups (p = .062). A 3% complication rate was observed, which was comparable between all groups. At 12-month follow-up, AF recurrence was observed in 40 patients (19%) and was significantly lower in the robotic group (MAN-CB 19 [24%], MAN-RF 16 [23%], RMN-RF 5 [8%] AF recurrences, p = .045) (multivariate hazard ratio of RMN-RF on AF recurrence 0.32, 95% confidence interval: 0.12-0.87, p = .026).

CONCLUSION

RMN-guided PVI results in high freedom of AF in patients with paroxysmal AF, when compared to cryoablation and manual RF ablation. Cryoablation remains the most time-efficient ablation technique, whereas RMN nowadays has comparable efficiency with manual RF ablation.

Characterization of temporal electrical activity patterns for detection of critical isthmus regions of recurrent atypical atrial flutter

INTRODUCTION

Identifying the critical isthmus region (CIR) of atrial re-entry tachycardias (AT) is challenging. The Lumipoint® (LP) software, developed for the Rhythmia® mapping system, aims to facilitate the successful ablation of ATs by identifying the CIR.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of LP regarding the percentage of arrhythmia-relevant CIR in patients with atypical atrial flutter (AAF).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we analyzed 57 AAF forms. Electrical activity (EA) was mapped over tachycardia cycle length resulting in a two-dimensional EA pattern. The hypothesis was that EA minima suggest potential CIRs with slow-conduction-zone.

RESULTS

A total of n = 33 patients were included, with the majority of patients being already preablated (69.7%). LP algorithm identified a mean of 2.4 EA minima and 4.4 suggested CIRs per AAF form. Overall, we observed a low probability of identifying only the relevant CIR (POR) at 12.3% but a high probability that at least one CIR is detected (PALO) at 98.2%. Detailed analysis revealed EA minima depth (≤20%) and width (>50 ms) as the best predictors of relevant CIRs. Wide minima occurred rarely (17.5%), while low minima were more frequently present (75.4%). Minima depth of EA ≤ 20% showed the best PALO/POR overall (95% and 60%, respectively). Analysis in recurrent AAF ablations (five patients) revealed that CIR in de novo AAF was already detected by LP during the index procedure.

CONCLUSION

The LP algorithm provides an excellent PALO (98.2%), but poor POR (12.3%) to detect the CIR in AAF. POR improved by preselection of the lowest and widest EA minima. In addition, there might be the role of initial bystander CIRs becoming relevant for future AAFs.

Patterns and Characteristics of SKYLINE-Lumipoint Feature in the Catheter Ablation of Atypical Atrial Flutter: Insight from a Novel Lumipoint Module of Rhythmia Mapping System

Background: Atypical atrial flutter (aAFL) is not uncommon, especially after a prior cardiac surgery or extensive ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF). Aims: To revisit aAFL, we used a novel Lumipoint algorithm in the Rhythmia mapping system to evaluate tachycardia circuit by the patterns of global activation histogram (GAH, SKYLINE) in assisting aAFL ablation. Methods: Fifteen patients presenting with 20 different incessant aAFL, including two naïve, six with a prior AF ablation, and seven with prior cardiac surgery were studied. Results: Reentry aAFL in SKYLINE typically was a multi-deflected peak with 1.5 GAH-valleys. Valleys were sharp and narrow-based. Most reentry aAFL (18/20, 90%) lacked a plateau and displayed a steep GAH-valley with 2 GAH-valleys per tachycardia. Each GAH-valley highlighted 1.9 areas in the map. Successful sites of ablation all matched one of the highlighted areas based on GAH-valleys < 0.4. These sites corresponded with the areas highlighted by GAH-score < 0.4 in reentry aAFL, and by GAH-score < 0.2 in localized-reentry aAFL. Conclusions: The present study showed benefits of the LumipointTM module applied to the RhythmiaTM mapping system. The results were the efficient detection of the slow conduction, better identification of ablation sites, and fast termination of the aAFL with favorable outcomes.

Localized Atrial Tachycardia and Dispersion Regions in Atrial Fibrillation: Evidence of Spatial Concordance

Introduction: During atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, it is generally considered that atrial tachycardia (AT) episodes are a consequence of ablation. Objective: To investigate the spatial relationship between localized AT episodes and dispersion/ablation regions during persistent AF ablation procedures. Methods: We analyzed 72 consecutive patients who presented for an index persistent AF ablation procedure guided by the presence of spatiotemporal dispersion of multipolar electrograms. We characterized spontaneous or post-ablation ATs’ mechanism and location in regard to dispersion regions and ablation lesions. Results: In 72 consecutive patients admitted for persistent AF ablation, 128 ATs occurred in 62 patients (1.9 ± 1.1/patient). Seventeen ATs were recorded before any ablation. In a total of 100 ATs with elucidated mechanism, there were 58 localized sources and 42 macro-reentries. A large number of localized ATs arose from regions exhibiting dispersion during AF (n = 49, 84%). Importantly, these ATs’ locations were generally remote from the closest ablation lesion (n = 42, 72%). Conclusions: In patients undergoing a persistent AF ablation procedure guided by the presence of spatiotemporal dispersion of multipolar electrograms, localized ATs originate within dispersion regions but remotely from the closest ablation lesion. These results suggest that ATs represent a stabilized manifestation of co-existing AF drivers rather than ablation-induced arrhythmias.

Novel noncontact charge density map in the setting of post-atrial fibrillation atrial tachycardias: first experience with the Acutus SuperMap Algorithm

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the new high-resolution mapping algorithm SuperMap (Acutus Medical, CA, USA) in identifying and guiding ablation in the setting of regular atrial tachycardias following index atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

METHODS

Seven consecutive patients who underwent a radiofrequency catheter ablation guided by the novel noncontact charge density (CD) SuperMap for atrial tachycardia were prospectively enrolled in our study.

RESULTS

Arrhythmogenic substrate was identified in all seven patients. Mean number of EGM per map was 5859.7 ± 4348.5 points. Three patients (43%) exhibited focal tachycardia mechanisms in the left atrium, alternating from anteroseptal right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), posterior in proximity of left inferior pulmonary vein (LIPV), and interarial septum in proximity of fossa ovalis, respectively. Four patients exhibited macroreentrant mechanism. In 3 of these patients, SuperMap detected mitral isthmus-dependent flutters with tachycardia cycle lengths of 240, 270 and 420 ms, respectively. In one patient, the mechanism was a macroreentrant tachycardia with the critical isthmus located between the crista terminalis and atriotomy. The mean ablation time (min) was 18.2 ± 12.5 and the mean procedural duration time was 56.4 ± 12.1 min. No minor or major complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

The novel high-resolution mapping algorithm SuperMap proved to be safe, fast, and feasible in identifying and guiding ablation in the setting of regular atrial tachycardias following index AF ablation.

Comparison of in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing catheter ablation for typical versus atypical atrial flutter

BACKGROUND

Catheter ablation (CA) is indicated as definitive therapy for patients with either typical or atypical atrial flutter (TAFlutter and AAFlutter, respectively) which is unresponsive to medical therapy. There is a paucity of data regarding in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing CA.

METHODS

Retrospective study using the NIS to identify patients ≥18 years who underwent CA between 2015 and 2017. Individuals were identified using ICD-10-CM/PCS for TAFlutter, AAFlutter, and CA.

RESULTS

A total of 17,390 patients underwent CA for Aflutter (33% AAFlutter and 67% TAFlutter). The TAFlutter group was younger (mean 65.9 years vs. 67.2 years), with less females (30% vs. 43%, p ≤ 0.001 for both) compared to the AAFlutter group. The TAFlutter group had a higher rate of diabetes, tobacco use, obesity, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p ≤ 0.001 for all). The AAFlutter cohort had increased prior strokes and atrial fibrillation (p ≤ 0.001 for both). The mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was found to be 2.3 in AAFlutter compared to 2.1 in TAFlutter (p ≤ 0.001). There were significantly higher proportions of thromboembolic events, transfusions, and longer length of stay in the TAFlutter group (p ≤ 0.001 for all) with the AAFlutter group having significantly higher rates of cardioversion, implantation of cardiac devices, and increased hospital charges (p ≤ 0.001 for all); no significant difference was found in mortality after controlling for comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

We found higher complication rates in CA for patients with TAFlutter, but no difference in in-hospital all-cause mortality. Variation in CA depending upon the mechanism of AFlutter may underlie these differences, and warrant further study.

Therapie von Herzrhythmusstörungen mit Antiarrhythmika: kein Ende einer Ära

Antiarrhythmika sind eine Medikamentengruppe, die vor mehr als 100 Jahren eingeführt wurde. Jahrzehntelang wurden sie relativ breit und großzügig eingesetzt. Die Erkenntnis, dass proarrhythmische Effekte relativ häufig sind, und die Entwicklung neuer nicht medikamentöser Behandlungsalternativen (z. B. die Katheterablation bei Vorhofflimmern) haben dazu geführt, dass sich ihr klinischer Stellenwert in den letzten Jahren geändert hat. Schon seit Längerem wird das Ende der Antiarrhythmikaära prophezeit. In der Realität ergibt sich allerdings ein anderes Bild. Registerdaten zeigen, dass fast die Hälfte der Patienten mit Vorhofflimmern, die sich einer Katheterablation unterziehen, im weiteren Verlauf ein Antiarrhythmikum erhält. Eine unverändert wichtige Rolle spielen Antiarrhythmika (insbesondere Amiodaron) auch im Notfall und bei Patienten mit häufigen malignen ventrikulären Arrhythmien. Einen zunehmend relevanter werdenden Anwendungsbereich stellen angeborene Arrhythmien (langes-QT-Syndrom, Brugada-Syndrom, katecholaminerge polymorphe Kammertachykardien) dar. Antiarrhythmika gehören damit weiterhin zum Armamentarium des rhythmologisch orientierten Arztes. Es darf gehofft werden, dass neue Formen des EKG- und Patienten-Monitorings (z. B. Smartphone-EKGs) dazu betragen werden, die Überprüfung der Therapiewirksamkeit zu vereinfachen und die Therapiesicherheit zu optimieren.

Reduction of myocardial necrosis using "CLOSE" protocol during pulmonary vein isolation-Preliminary results from ACTIVE-AF trial

BACKGROUND

New protocols of pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) result in easier and more efficient procedure performance. Ablation index (AI) is the novel tool which helps to achieve transmural lesions during catheter ablation. However, benefit of this protocol in the reduction of myocardial injury is still not known.

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to compare myocardial injury during catheter ablation using standard and AI protocol.

METHODS

To the analysis we included 24 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, who underwent radiofrequency catheter PVI using CARTO system (Biosense Webster, Inc). In all patients cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were assessed before and 24 hours after the procedure. In 12 patients PVI was performed using continuous applications (dragging technique) and in 12 patients during PVI ablation AI protocol was implemented. To unify analyzed groups, we excluded patients with additional ablation lines (including line separating ipsilateral pulmonary veins).

RESULTS

In analyzed group mean age was 59.3 ± 7.7 years and 18 (75%) patients were male. There were no differences in the clinical characteristic between both subgroups. Trend in shorter total x-ray time was observed in AI group compared with dragging group (8.6 ± 5.4 vs. 5.3 ± 3.2 min.; P = .093) with no differences in total procedure time (146.3 ± 28.9 vs. 153.2 ± 37.1 min.; P = .616). Twenty-four hours after the PVI procedure cTnI levels were significantly lower in AI group than in dragging group (1.984 ± 0.644 vs. 3.369 ± 1.818 ng/mL; P = .026), with no difference in mean baseline cTnI levels (0.004 ± 0.006 vs. 0.015 ± 0.032 ng/mL; P = .304).

CONCLUSION

Presented study revealed that compared with standard, continuous applications, AI protocol implementation results in reduction of myocardial injury during catheter PVI in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Outcome after tailored catheter ablation of atrial tachycardia using ultra-high-density mapping

INTRODUCTION

Tailored catheter ablation of atrial tachycardias (ATs) is increasingly recommended as a potentially easy treatment strategy in the era of high-density mapping (HDM). As follow-up data are sparse, we here report outcomes after HDM-guided ablation of ATs in patients with prior catheter ablation or cardiac surgery.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 250 consecutive patients (age 66.5 ± 0.7 years, 58% male) with ATs (98% prior catheter ablation, 13% prior cardiac surgery) an HDM-guided catheter ablation was performed with the support of a 64-electrode mini-basket catheter. A total of 354 ATs (1.4 ± 0.1 ATs per patient; mean cycle length 304 ± 4.3 ms; 64% macroreentry, 27% localized reentry, and 9% focal) with acute termination of 95% were targeted in the index procedure. A similar AT as in the index procedure recurred in five patients (2%) after a median follow-up time of 535 days (interquartile range (IQR) 25th-75th percentile: 217-841). Tailored ablation of reentry ATs with freedom from any arrhythmia was obtained in 53% after a single procedure and in 73% after 1.4 ± 0.4 ablation procedures (range: 1-4). A total of 228 patients (91%) were free from any arrhythmia recurrence after 210 days (IQR: 152-494) when including optimal usual care.

CONCLUSIONS

Tailored catheter ablation of ATs guided by HDM has a high acute success rate. The recurrence rate of the index AT is low. In patients with extensive atrial scaring further ablation procedures need to be considered to achieve freedom from any arrhythmia.

Acute and long-term outcome of redo catheter ablation for recurrent atrial tachycardia and recurrent atrial fibrillation in patients with prior atrial fibrillation ablation

PURPOSE

Organized atrial tachycardia (AT) accounts for a substantial proportion of recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to analyze the characteristics and long-term outcome of redo RFCA for recurrent AT compared with those for recurrent AF.

METHODS

We analyzed 133 patients who underwent prior AF ablation and presented for redo RFCA procedure. Documented rhythm at recurrence was AT in 50 patients (37.6%) and AF in 83 patients (62.4%). Redo ablation was conducted using a stepwise approach in all subjects.

RESULTS

Recurrent arrhythmia was more frequently a persistent type in the AT group (70.0% vs. 36.1% in the AT and AF group, respectively, p < 0.001). Fifty mappable ATs were identified in the AT group. Perimitral reentry was most common (19/50), followed by PV-related focal or reentrant tachycardia (16/50). During the redo RFCA, PV reconnection rate and linear ablation rate were similar in the two groups, while the focal target ablation tended to be conducted more frequently in the AF group (26.0% vs. 42.2%, p = 0.060). The AT group showed a higher acute success rate (92.0% vs. 75.9%, p = 0.019) and higher arrhythmia freedom during a mean of 30 months (76.0% vs. 55.4%, p = 0.030), compared with the AF group. The AT group and de novo AF type (paroxysmal) were independent predictors for higher arrhythmia freedom.

CONCLUSIONS

RFCA for recurrent AT following AF ablation showed favorable acute and long-term success rates and was associated with superior procedural outcomes compared with those for recurrent AF.

Convergent epicardial-endocardial ablation for treatment of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: A review of literature

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF STUDY

The convergent procedure (CVP) is a hybrid ablation technique via a subxiphoid incision that has recently emerged as a treatment option for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (npAF). By combining endocardial and epicardial ablation into a simultaneous or staged procedure, the pulmonary vein and posterior left atrium can be isolated with transmural lesion sets while minimizing the risk of proarrhythmic gaps that are a known limitation with endocardial linear lesion sets. We reviewed the 12-month outcomes in patients who underwent CVP compared to those who underwent endocardial catheter ablation (CA) and surgical ablation (SA).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database for publications related to CVP. Selected studies included detailed 12-month follow-up of patients, patient characteristics, periprocedural complications, use of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs), and monitoring method.

RESULTS

Five studies with 340 patients who underwent CVP between January 2009 and March 2017 were selected for this review. A total of 8.5% of patients had paroxysmal AF (pAF), 42.2% had persistent AF (peAF), and 49.1% had long-standing persistent AF (lspAF). At 12 months, 81.9% of patients were in sinus rhythm, while 54.1% of patients were in sinus rhythm while not taking AADs. The overall complication rate was 10%.

CONCLUSION

CVP had better 1-year efficacy in eliminating AF when compared to CA. However, SA, specifically the Cox Maze IV, had lower rates of AF recurrence in the npAF patient population. Despite its promising 1-year efficacy rates, the periprocedural complication rate for CVP was significantly higher than both CA and SA.

Persistent atrial fibrillation; It is time to regroup

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the only proven ablation strategy for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, when AF recurs despite durable PVI in a subgroup of patients with persistent AF, there is no scientifically proven ablation strategy to pursue. Here, we summarized how we approach persistent AF at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Zero-fluoroscopy Radiofrequency Redo Ablation of Atrial Tachycardia Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation: A Tale of Two Systems

Regular atrial tachycardia (AT) is one of the most important proarrhythmic complications that may occur following left atrial pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). These tachycardias that develop after atrial fibrillation ablation may lead to worse symptoms than those from the original arrhythmia existing prior to the index ablation procedure. Ablation of various types of supraventricular tachycardias without the use of fluoroscopy has been shown to be feasible in both children and adults using three-dimensional mapping systems. We describe the case of a 71-year-old woman who developed a focal AT after a successful PVI procedure. The initial ablation failed with one mapping system. Repeat electrophysiologic study despite antiarrhythmic medications revealed the same focal AT, which was successfully ablated with a different mapping system. Both ablations were performed without fluoroscopy.

Use of an automaton model to suggest methods for cessation of intractable fibrillatory activity

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia, and permanent AF is an intractable medical problem. If cessation of permanent AF were possible, via extensive substrate ablation or multisite stimulation, it could significantly improve the public health.

METHOD

A cellular automaton composed of 576 × 576 computerized grid nodes, described in detail previously, was used to test hypotheses concerning the cessation of fibrillatory electrical activity. A refractory period gradient across the grid, and addition of randomly located nonconducting fibers, were utilized as conditions leading to fibrillatory activity. A premature S1-S2 stimulus was applied to one grid corner, resulting in unidirectional conduction block at some locations, followed by rotational activity and random propagation of activation wavelets throughout the grid, none of which terminated spontaneously. Simulated ablation lesions of dimension 20 × 20 grid nodes, imparted at core locations of rotational activity, and multisite electrode stimulation (MES) applied at nodes where recovery of excitability had occurred, were used in attempts to terminate fibrillatory activity. Six impositions of random fiber location were utilized in separate trials.

RESULTS

Simulated ablation lesions eliminated the targeted swirling vortices; however, additional vortices then often appeared at other locations. After ablating approximately one third of the grid area, localized vortices were eliminated, but individual wavelets continued to propagate about longer viable pathways forming at ablation lesions. Thus extensive ablation was unsuccessful in terminating arrhythmia. However, MES applied uniformly throughout the grid, with a coupling interval slightly longer than the maximum refractory period, terminated fibrillatory activity in some trials. More efficaciously, application of MES with a coupling interval half the maximum refractory period of the grid succeeded in capture of activation at all nodes, and when followed by a doubling of the MES coupling interval, resulted in cessation of all fibrillatory activity.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to terminate simulated fibrillatory activity in a computerized grid that would otherwise be intractable, using multisite stimulation with a coupling interval related to the maximum refractory period of the substrate. If each MES stimulating electrode could be individually controlled, it would be possible to apply a stimulation pattern mimicking the normal heart activation sequence.

The relationship of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation and the 3-month integrity of the ablation lesion set

Early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) after catheter-ablation (CA) can be a transient phenomenon due to inflammation, or a harbinger of late AF recurrence due to CA lesion (re)conduction. We studied the relationship between ERAF and the 3-month CA lesions integrity. Forty one consecutive AF patients who underwent a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), roof line (RL) and mitral isthmus line (MIL) CA were enrolled. At 3 months all patients underwent invasive assessment of the lesion set integrity irrespective of ERAF. The PVI, RL and MIL ablation was successful in 100.0%, 95.1% and 82.9% patients, respectively. At the 3-month remapping, a gap in PVI-lesion(s), RL or MIL was identified in 61.0%, 31.7% and 36.6% patients, respectively. Patients with (n = 17, 41.5%) compared to those without ERAF (n = 24) had a significantly higher rate of any PV-reconnection (88.2% vs. 41.7%), the right PV(s)-reconnection (82.5% vs. 29.2%) and the RL gap (52.9% vs. 16.7%), as well as a higher number of reconnected right PVI-segments, all p < 0.05. On multivariate analysis, only the number of reconnected right PVI-segments was associated with ERAF (OR 4.26, p = 0.004). The ERAF following PVI + RL + MIL ablation was significantly related to 3-month PV-reconnections and the presence of RL gaps.

Prevalence and predictive factors of left atrial tachycardia occurring after second-generation cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION

Assess the prevalence and predictors of left atrial tachycardia (LAT) after cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary veins.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients who underwent catheter ablation of pulmonary veins with a second-generation cryoballoon for symptomatic paroxysmal (151 of 270, 56%) or persistent (119 of 270, 44%) atrial fibrillation were entered in a single-center prospective registry. Patients who experienced postcryoballoon LAT (pcryo-LAT) were selected on the basis of 12-lead ECG characteristics. Left atrial origin was confirmed during conventional EP study and electroanatomical activation mapping, and patients were treated by RF catheter ablation. Pcryo-LAT was observed in 15 (5.6%) of 270 patients and was attributed to a reentrant mechanism in 11 patients (73%). The other four cases of pcryo-LAT were due to focal atrial tachycardia associated with reconnection of one pulmonary vein. In comparison with patients who remained in sinus rhythm, LA area (HR = 1.09; CI 1.01, 1.2; P = 0.02), LVEF (HR = 0.94; CI 0.90, 0.97; P < 0.001), and LVEF <50% (HR = 8.5; CI 3.1, 23.6; P < 0.001) were predictors of pcryo-LAT. After multivariate Cox analysis, only left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% remained predictive of pcryo-LAT, (HR = 7.8, CI 2.3 26.7, P = 0.002). With a mean survival of 23 months, 73% of patients who experienced pcryo-LAT were in sinus rhythm versus 78% of patients without pcryo-LAT (log rank P = 0.85).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of pcryo-LAT in patients with atrial fibrillation is low. Left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% is associated with an increased risk of pcryo-LAT. When treated by RF catheter ablation, the presence of pcryo-LAT is not a predictive factor of subsequent recurrence of atrial fibrillation during follow-up.

Persistency of left atrial linear lesions after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Data from an invasive follow-up electrophysiology study

BACKGROUND

Data on the roof line (RL) and mitral isthmus line (MIL) reconnections after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation (CA) are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

We studied the RL and MIL completeness and localization of reconnection sites in consecutive patients after their first-ever AF-CA.

METHODS

We prospectively included 41 consecutive AF patients who underwent predefined lesion sets of two circumferential lines (CLs) for ipsilateral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) combined with a RL and lateral MIL. Three months after CA, all patients underwent invasive follow-up procedure for line persistency evaluation, irrespective of clinical outcome.

RESULTS

At the time of index ablation, PVI-CLs, RL, and MIL was completed in 41 (100%), 39 (95%), and 34 (83%) of patients, respectively. At the 3-month follow-up procedure, reconnections of PVI-CLs, RL, and MIL were found in 61% (25/41), 28% (11/39), and 24% (8/34) of patients, respectively. The 3-month reconnections were located commonly in the anterior and posterior PVI-CL segments, and rarely in the right third of RL and in the posterior part of MIL. The 3-month reconnections were rarely seen at the sites of acute reconnections during index procedure (6%, 20%, and 25% of the PVI-CL segments, RL segments, and MIL segments, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study systematically investigating the reconnection of standardized left atrium linear lesions such as RL and MIL after RF-CA for AF in consecutive patients. The RL and MIL 3-month reconnection rates were relatively low (28% and 24%), with poor anatomical concordance between the sites with acute and 3-month reconnections.