High-density mapping for ablation of atypical atrial flutters - procedural characteristics related to outcome.

BACKGROUND: High-density (HD) mapping is increasingly used to characterize arrhythmic substrate for ablation of atypical atrial flutters (AAFl). However, results on clinical outcomes and factors that are associated with arrhythmia recurrence are scarce. METHODS: Single-center, prospective, observational cohort study that enrolled patients with catheter ablation for AAFl using a HD mapping system and a grid-shaped mapping catheter. Procedural characteristics, rates of atrial flutter recurrence, and factors that were associated with atrial flutter recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients with a total of 94 AAFl were included in the cohort. HD mapping was used to successfully identify the flutter circuit of 80/94 AAFl. The circuit was not identified for 14/94 AAFl in 11 patients. Critical isthmuses were identified and ablated in 29 patients (48%). Acute procedural success was achieved in 52 patients (85%), and 37 patients (61%) remained free from atrial flutter recurrence during a follow up of 1.3 [1.0-2.1] years. Atrial flutter recurrence was univariably associated with presence of a non-identified flutter circuit (HR:2.6 95% CI [1.1-6.3], p = .04) and critical isthmus-targeted ablation (HR:0.4 [0.15-0.90], p = .03). In multivariable regression analyses, critical isthmus ablation remained significant (HR:0.4 [0.16-0.97], p = .04), whereas presence of a non-identified flutter did not (HR:2.4 [0.96-5.8], p = .06). CONCLUSION: HD mapping was successfully used to identify the majority of AAFl circuits. Ablation resulted in freedom from atrial flutter recurrence in 61% of the cohort. Successful identification of all flutter circuits and critical isthmuses appears to be beneficial for long-term outcomes.

Ultralow temperature cryoablation using near-critical nitrogen for cavotricuspid isthmus-ablation, first-in-human results.

INTRODUCTION: Cryoablation has evolved as a safe alternative to radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of several supraventricular arrhythmias and has potential advantages, yet is limited by the properties of the cryogen used. We investigated a novel ultralow temperature cryoablation (ULTC) system using nitrogen near its liquid-vapor critical point as a freezing source, achieving temperatures as low as -196 degrees Celsius in a long linear catheter with a continuous energy release. Initial safety, procedural and efficacy outcomes of ULTC are described in patients undergoing cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Cryocure studies (NCT02355106, NCT02839304) are prospective, single-arm, multi-center, first-in-human clinical studies in 17 patients with atrial flutter (AFL) and 13 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 30 patients, mean age 65 ± 8 years old and 67% male, were enrolled and underwent ablation of the CTI. Acute success, defined as the confirmation of stable bidirectional conduction block across the CTI, was achieved in all 30 patients. After 12 months of follow-up, 14 out of 17 AFL patients remained free from any AFL. One (3.3%) procedure-related but not device-related serious adverse event was reported, involving transient inferolateral ST-elevation associated with temporary AV conduction block. CONCLUSION: In this first-in-human clinical study the safety and performance results demonstrate the capabilities of ultralow temperature near-critical nitrogen as an effective energy source for CTI ablation. Ongoing, larger, studies should confirm our findings and evaluate the capabilities to create linear and focal transmural lesions in other arrhythmias.

Extracellular matrix remodeling precedes atrial fibrillation: Results of the PREDICT-AF trial.

BACKGROUND: To which extent atrial remodeling occurs before atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The PREventive left atrial appenDage resection for the predICtion of fuTure Atrial Fibrillation (PREDICT-AF) study investigated such subclinical remodeling, which may be used for risk stratification and AF prevention. METHODS: Patients (N = 150) without a history of AF with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥2 at an increased risk of developing AF were included. The left atrial appendage was excised and blood samples were collected during elective cardiothoracic surgery for biomarker discovery. Participants were followed for 2 years with Holter monitoring to determine any atrial tachyarrhythmia after a 50-day blanking period. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (12%) developed incident AF, which was associated with increased tissue gene expression of collagen I (COL1A1), collagen III (COL3A1), and collagen VIII (COL8A2), tenascin-C (TNC), thrombospondin-2 (THBS2), and biglycan (BGN). Furthermore, the fibroblast activating endothelin-1 (EDN1) and sodium voltage-gated channel ß subunit 2 (SCN2B) were associated with incident AF whereas the Kir2.1 channel (KCNJ2) tended to downregulate. The plasma levels of COL8A2 and TNC correlated with tissue expression and predicted incident AF. A gene panel including tissue KCNJ2, COL1A1, COL8A2, and EDN1 outperformed clinical prediction models in discriminating incident AF. CONCLUSION: The PREDICT-AF study demonstrates that atrial remodeling occurs long before incident AF and implies future potential for early patient identification and therapies to prevent AF (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03130985).

Efficacy and safety of the GOLD FORCE multicentre randomized clinical trial: multielectrode phased radiofrequency vs. irrigated radiofrequency single-tip catheter with contact force ablation for treatment of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) has become increasingly safe and effective with the evolution of single-tip ablation catheters aided by contact force sensing (ST-CF) and single-shot devices such as the second-generation pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) Gold multi-electrode array. The multicentre randomized GOLD FORCE trial was conducted to evaluate non-inferiority of safety and efficacy of PVAC Gold PVI compared to ST-CF ablation for paroxysmal AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The primary efficacy endpoint documented AF recurrence ≥30 s was assessed by time-to-first-event analysis after a 90-day blanking period using repeated 7-day Holters. Secondary endpoints include acute success and procedural characteristics. Safety endpoints included procedural complications, stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), tamponade, bleeding, and access site complications. Two hundred and eight patients underwent randomization and PVI (103 assigned to PVAC Gold, 105 to ST-CF). Acute success rates were 95% and 97% for PVAC Gold and ST-CF, respectively. At 12 months, AF recurrence was observed in 46.6% of the PVAC Gold group and in 26.2% of the ST-CF group [absolute efficacy difference 20.4% (95% confidence interval, CI 7.5-33.2%), hazard ratio 2.05 (95% CI 1.28-3.29), P = 0.003]. PVAC Gold had significantly shorter procedure and ablation times. Complication rates were 5.7% and 4.9% for PVAC Gold and ST-CF, respectively (P = 0.782). CONCLUSION: In this multicentre randomized clinical trial, ablation with ST-CF and PVAC Gold ablation catheters non-inferiority for efficacy was not met. AF recurrence was significantly more frequent in the PVAC Gold group compared to single-tip contact force group. Both groups had similarly low rates of adverse events. PVAC Gold ablation had significantly shorter procedure and ablation times.

Left atrial catheter ablation in patients with previously implanted left atrial appendage closure devices.

AIMS: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is increasingly used as an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Feasibility and safety of left atrial (LA) catheter ablation (CA) in patients with previously implanted LAAC devices have not been well studied. We report on the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of LA CA in the presence of a previously implanted LAAC device. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective cohort study consecutive patients that underwent LA CA with a previously implanted Watchman device were included. Periprocedural characteristics and long-term clinical follow-up were evaluated. Twenty-three LA CA procedures were performed in 19/162 AF patients with previously implanted Watchman devices [47% male, age 63.9 ± 6.2 years, CHA2DS2-VASc 4.0 (3.0-5.0); HASBLED 3.0 (2.0-4.0); 63% paroxysmal]. Left atrial CA was performed with irrigated radiofrequency (RF; n = 20, 87%) or phased RF (n = 3, 13%) in a mean of 18 months after LAAC implantation (range 4-80 months). Targets of CA consisted of pulmonary vein isolation (n = 19, 83%), superior vena cava isolation (n = 13, 57%), and additional linear lesions (n = 8, 35%). Procedures were carried out under vitamin K antagonist (VKA; n = 6, 26%), non-VKA OAC (NOAC; n = 8, 35%), or single antiplatelet therapy alone (n = 9, 39%). Left atrial CA was successful without any signs of interference from the device. Procedure-related complications were not observed. During a mean follow-up of 28 months, 11 patients (58%) had AF recurrence. CONCLUSION: Left atrial CA after LAAC appears to be feasible, effective, and safe in this single centre cohort. Previously implanted Watchman device should not be a reason to relinquish CA in symptomatic AF patients, even in patients on single antiplatelet therapy alone.