3D mapping of phrenic nerve course for radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation.

INTRODUCTION: Phrenic nerve (PN) injury is a rare but severe complication of radiofrequency (RF) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The objective of this study was to characterize the typical intracardiac course of the PN with a three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system, to quantify the need for modification of the ablation trajectory to avoid delivering an ablation lesion on sites with PN capture, and to identify very circumscribed areas of common PNC on the routine ablation trajectory of a RF-PVI, allowing fast and effective PN screening for everyday usage. METHODS: We enrolled 137 consecutive patients (63 ± 9 years, 64% men) undergoing PVI. A detailed high output (20 mA) pace-mapping protocol was performed in the right (RA) and left atrium (LA) and adjacent vasculature. RESULTS: The right PN was most commonly captured in the superior vena cava at a lateral (50%) or posterolateral (23%) position before descending along the RA either straight (29%) or with a posterolateral bend (20%). In the LA, beginning deep within the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), the right PN is most frequently detectable anterolateral (31%), then descends to the lateral proximal RSPV (23%), and further towards the lateral antral region (15%) onto the medial LA wall (12%). To avoid delivering an ablation lesion on sites with PN capture, modification of ablation trajectory was necessary in 23% of cases, most commonly in the lateral RSPV antrum (81%). No PN injury occurred. CONCLUSION: PN mapping frequently reveals the close proximity of the PN to the ablation trajectory during PVI, particularly in the lateral RSPV antrum. Routine PN pacing should be considered during RF PVI procedures.

Spatial correlation of left atrial low voltage substrate in sinus rhythm versus atrial fibrillation: The rhythm specificity of atrial low voltage substrate.

INTRODUCTION: Improved sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance rates have been achieved in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing pulmonary vein isolation plus additional ablation of low voltage substrate (LVS) during SR. However, voltage mapping during SR may be hindered in persistent and long-persistent AF patients by immediate AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion. We assess correlations between LVS extent and location during SR and AF, aiming to identify regional voltage thresholds for rhythm-independent delineation/detection of LVS areas. (1) Identification of voltage dissimilarities between mapping in SR and AF. (2) Identification of regional voltage thresholds that improve cross-rhythm substrate detection. (3) Comparison of LVS between SR and native versus induced AF. METHODS: Forty-one ablation-naive persistent AF patients underwent high-definition (1 mm electrodes; >1200 left atrial (LA) mapping sites per rhythm) voltage mapping in SR and AF. Global and regional voltage thresholds in AF were identified which best match LVS < 0.5 mV and <1.0 mV in SR. Additionally, the correlation between SR-LVS with induced versus native AF-LVS was assessed. RESULTS: Substantial voltage differences (median: 0.52, interquartile range: 0.33-0.69, maximum: 1.19 mV) with a predominance of the posterior/inferior LA wall exist between the rhythms. An AF threshold of 0.34 mV for the entire left atrium provides an accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 69%, 67%, and 69% to identify SR-LVS < 0.5 mV, respectively. Lower thresholds for the posterior wall (0.27 mV) and inferior wall (0.3 mV) result in higher spatial concordance to SR-LVS (4% and 7% increase). Concordance with SR-LVS was higher for induced AF compared to native AF (area under the curve[AUC]: 0.80 vs. 0.73). AF-LVS < 0.5 mV corresponds to SR-LVS < 0.97 mV (AUC: 0.73). CONCLUSION: Although the proposed region-specific voltage thresholds during AF improve the consistency of LVS identification as determined during SR, the concordance in LVS between SR and AF remains moderate, with larger LVS detection during AF. Voltage-based substrate ablation should preferentially be performed during SR to limit the amount of ablated atrial myocardium.

Characterization of circumferential antral pulmonary vein isolation areas resulting from pulsed-field catheter ablation.

AIMS: The cornerstone of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) is a wide-area circumferential ablation (WACA) resulting in an antral PVI area. Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a new nonthermal 'single-shot' PVI technique resulting in well-characterized posterior isolation areas. However, information on circumferential PVI area is lacking. Thus, we sought to characterize the circumferential antral PVI areas after PFA-PVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients underwent fluoroscopy-guided PVI with a pentaspline PFA catheter. Ultra-high-density voltage maps using a 20-polar circular mapping catheter were created before and immediately after PVI to identify and quantify (i) insufficient isolation areas per antral PV segment (10-segment model) and (ii) enlarged left atrial (LA) isolation areas (beyond the antral PV segments) per LA region (8-region model). The PFA-PVI with pre- (5469 ± 1822 points) and post-mapping (6809 ± 2769 points) was performed in 40 consecutive patients [age 62 ± 6 years, 25/40 (62.5%) paroxysmal AF]. Insufficient isolation areas were located most frequently in the anterior antral PV segments of the left PVs (62.5-77.5% of patients) with the largest extent (median ≥0.4 cm2) located in the same segments (segments 2/5/8). Enlarged LA isolation areas were located most frequently and most extensively on the posterior wall and roof region (89.5-100% of patients; median 1.1-2.7 cm2 per region). CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy-guided PFA-PVI frequently results in insufficient isolation areas in the left anterior antral PV segments and enlarged LA isolation areas on the posterior wall/roof, which both may be extensive. To optimize the procedure, full integration of PFA catheter visualization into three-dimensional-mapping systems is needed.

Personalized ablation vs. conventional ablation strategies to terminate atrial fibrillation and prevent recurrence.

AIMS: The long-term success rate of ablation therapy is still sub-optimal in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), mostly due to arrhythmia recurrence originating from arrhythmogenic sites outside the pulmonary veins. Computational modelling provides a framework to integrate and augment clinical data, potentially enabling the patient-specific identification of AF mechanisms and of the optimal ablation sites. We developed a technology to tailor ablations in anatomical and functional digital atrial twins of patients with persistent AF aiming to identify the most successful ablation strategy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-nine patient-specific computational models integrating clinical information from tomographic imaging and electro-anatomical activation time and voltage maps were generated. Areas sustaining AF were identified by a personalized induction protocol at multiple locations. State-of-the-art anatomical and substrate ablation strategies were compared with our proposed Personalized Ablation Lines (PersonAL) plan, which consists of iteratively targeting emergent high dominant frequency (HDF) regions, to identify the optimal ablation strategy. Localized ablations were connected to the closest non-conductive barrier to prevent recurrence of AF or atrial tachycardia. The first application of the HDF strategy had a success of >98% and isolated only 5-6% of the left atrial myocardium. In contrast, conventional ablation strategies targeting anatomical or structural substrate resulted in isolation of up to 20% of left atrial myocardium. After a second iteration of the HDF strategy, no further arrhythmia episode could be induced in any of the patient-specific models. CONCLUSION: The novel PersonAL in silico technology allows to unveil all AF-perpetuating areas and personalize ablation by leveraging atrial digital twins.

Feasibility and safety of a three-dimensional anatomic map-guided transseptal puncture for left-sided catheter ablation procedures.

AIMS: Transseptal puncture (TP) for left-sided catheter ablation procedures is routinely performed under fluoroscopic or echocardiographic guidance [transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)], although three-dimensional (3D) mapping systems are readily available in most electrophysiology laboratories. Here, we sought to assess the feasibility and safety of a right atrial (RA) 3D map-guided TP. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 104 patients, 3D RA mapping was performed to identify the fossa ovalis (FO) using the protrusion technique. The radiofrequency transseptal needle was visualized and navigated to the desired potential FO-TP site. Thereafter, the interventionalist was unblinded to TEE and the potential FO-TP site was reassessed regarding its convenience and safety. After TP, the exact TP site was documented using a 17-segment-FO model. Reliable identification of the FO was feasible in 102 patients (98%). In these, 114 3D map-guided TP attempts were performed, of which 96 (84%) patients demonstrated a good position and 18 (16%) an adequate position after TEE unblinding. An out-of-FO or dangerous position did not occur. A successful 3D map-guided TP was performed in 110 attempts (97%). Four attempts (3%) with adequate positions were aborted in order to seek a more convenient TP site. The median time from RA mapping until the end of the TP process was 13 (12-17) min. No TP-related complications occurred. Ninety-eight TP sites (85.1%) were in the central portion or in the inner loop of the FO. CONCLUSION: A 3D map-guided TP is feasible and safe. It may assist to decrease radiation exposure and the need for TEE/ICE during left-sided catheter ablation procedures.

Differences in atrial substrate localization using late gadolinium enhancement-magnetic resonance imaging, electrogram voltage, and conduction velocity: a cohort study using a consistent anatomical reference frame in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Electro-anatomical voltage, conduction velocity (CV) mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been correlated with atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM). However, the comparability between these modalities remains unclear. This study aims to (i) compare pathological substrate extent and location between current modalities, (ii) establish spatial histograms in a cohort, (iii) develop a new estimated optimized image intensity threshold (EOIIT) for LGE-MRI identifying patients with ACM, (iv) predict rhythm outcome after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-six ablation-naive persistent AF patients underwent LGE-MRI and high-definition electro-anatomical mapping in sinus rhythm. Late gadolinium enhancement areas were classified using the UTAH, image intensity ratio (IIR >1.20), and new EOIIT method for comparison to low-voltage substrate (LVS) and slow conduction areas <0.2 m/s. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine LGE thresholds optimally matching LVS. Atrial cardiomyopathy was defined as LVS extent ≥5% of the left atrium (LA) surface at <0.5 mV. The degree and distribution of detected pathological substrate (percentage of individual LA surface are) varied significantly (P < 0.001) across the mapping modalities: 10% (interquartile range 0-14%) of the LA displayed LVS <0.5 mV vs. 7% (0-12%) slow conduction areas <0.2 m/s vs. 15% (8-23%) LGE with the UTAH method vs. 13% (2-23%) using IIR >1.20, with most discrepancies on the posterior LA. Optimized image intensity thresholds and each patient's mean blood pool intensity correlated linearly (R2 = 0.89, P < 0.001). Concordance between LGE-MRI-based and LVS-based ACM diagnosis improved with the novel EOIIT applied at the anterior LA [83% sensitivity, 79% specificity, area under the curve (AUC): 0.89] in comparison to the UTAH method (67% sensitivity, 75% specificity, AUC: 0.81) and IIR >1.20 (75% sensitivity, 62% specificity, AUC: 0.67). CONCLUSION: Discordances in detected pathological substrate exist between LVS, CV, and LGE-MRI in the LA, irrespective of the LGE detection method. The new EOIIT method improves concordance of LGE-MRI-based ACM diagnosis with LVS in ablation-naive AF patients but discrepancy remains particularly on the posterior wall. All methods may enable the prediction of rhythm outcomes after PVI in patients with persistent AF.

Comparison of various late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging methods with high-definition voltage and activation mapping for detection of atrial cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) is associated with increased arrhythmia recurrence rates after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). We compare the most common left atrial (LA) late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI)-methods [Utah-method and image intensity ratio (IIR)-methods] and endocardial voltage mapping for ACM-detection and outcome prediction after PVI for atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective observational study, 37 ablation-naive patients (66 ± 9 years, 84% male) with persistent AF underwent LA-LGE-MRI and high-definition voltage and activation mapping (2129 ± 484 sites) in sinus rhythm prior to PVI. The MRI-post-processing-analyses were performed by two independent expert laboratories. Arrhythmia recurrence was recorded within 12 months following PVI. The global ACM-extent was highly variable: median LA low-voltage substrate (LA-LVS) was 12.9% at <1.0 mV and 2.7% at <0.5 mV; median LA-LGE-extent using the Utah-method was 18.3% and 0.03-93.1% using the IIR-methods. The LA activation time was significantly correlated with LA-LVS (r = 0.76 at <0.5 mV and r = 0.82 at <1.0 mV, both P < 0.0001), but not with LA-LGE-extent. The highest regional matching between LA-LVS <0.5 mV and LA-LGE was found for the anterior wall in 57% of patients using the Utah-method and in 59% using IIR 1.20. The corresponding values for the posterior wall were 19% and 38%, respectively. Arrhythmia recurrence occurred in 15(41%) patients. Freedom from arrhythmia was significantly lower in those with LA-LVS ≥2 cm2 at 0.5 mV but not in those with LGE ≥20% (Utah-stages III and IV): 43% vs. 81%, P = 0.009 and 50% vs. 67%, P = 0.338, respectively. CONCLUSION: Comparison of the most common LA-LGE-MRI methods and endocardial voltage mapping revealed large discrepancies in global and regional ACM-extent.

Easily available ECG and echocardiographic parameters for prediction of left atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of noninvasive markers of left atrial (LA) low-voltage substrate (LVS) enables the identification of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at risk for arrhythmia recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study, 292 consecutive AF patients (72% male, 62 ± 11 years, 65% persistent AF) underwent high-density LA voltage mapping in sinus rhythm. LA-LVS (<0.5 mV) was considered as significant at 2 cm2  or above. Preprocedural clinical electrocardiogram and echocardiographic data were assessed to identify predictors of LA-LVS. The role of the identified LA-LVS markers in predicting 1-year arrhythmia freedom after PVI was assessed in 245 patients. RESULTS: Significant LA-LVS was identified in 123 (42%) patients. The amplified sinus P-wave duration (APWD) best predicted LA-LVS, with a 148-ms value providing the best-balanced sensitivity (0.81) and specificity (0.88). An APWD over 160 ms was associated with LA-LVS in 96% of patients, whereas an APWD under 145 ms in 15%. Remaining gray zones improved their accuracy by introduction of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) of 35 mmHg or above, age, and sex. According to COX regression, the risk of arrhythmia recurrence 12 months following PVI was twofold and threefold higher in patients with APWD 145-160 and over 160 ms, compared to APWD under 145 ms. Integration of pulmonary hypertension further improved the outcome prediction in the intermediate APWD group: Patients with APWD 145-160 ms and normal sPAP had similar outcome than patients with APWD under 145 ms (hazard ratio [HR] 1.62, p = .14), whereas high sPAP implied worse outcome (HR 2.56, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The APWD identifies LA-LVS and risk for arrhythmia recurrence after PVI. Our prediction model becomes optimized by means of integration of the pulmonary artery pressure.

Non-invasive body surface electrocardiographic imaging for diagnosis of atrial cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and increased risk for stroke. At present, diagnosis of ACM is feasible by endocardial contact mapping of left atrial (LA) low-voltage substrate (LVS) or late gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, but their complexity limits a widespread use. The aim of this study was to assess non-invasive body surface electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) as a novel clinical tool for diagnosis of ACM compared with endocardial mapping. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients (66 ± 9 years, 85% male) presenting for their first PVI for persistent atrial fibrillation underwent ECGI in sinus rhythm using a 252-electrode-array mapping system. Subsequently, high-density LA voltage and biatrial activation maps (mean 2090 ± 488 sites) were acquired in sinus rhythm prior to PVI. Freedom from arrhythmia recurrence was assessed within 12 months follow-up. Increased duration of total atrial conduction time (TACT) in ECGI was associated with both increased atrial activation time and extent of LA-LVS in endocardial contact mapping (r = 0.77 and r = 0.66, P < 0.0001 respectively). Atrial cardiomyopathy was found in 23 (59%) patients. A TACT value of 148 ms identified ACM with 91.3% sensitivity and 93.7% specificity. Arrhythmia recurrence occurred in 15 (38%) patients during a follow-up of 389 ± 55 days. Freedom from arrhythmia was significantly higher in patients with a TACT <148 ms compared with patients with a TACT ≥148 ms (82.4% vs. 45.5%, P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Analysis of TACT in non-invasive ECGI allows diagnosis of patients with ACM, which is associated with a significantly increased risk for arrhythmia recurrence following PVI.

Effect of a restrictive pacemaker implantation strategy on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the safety of a restrictive permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) strategy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as compared to a liberal strategy. BACKGROUND: Conduction disturbances resulting in PPI are common after TAVI. However, conduction disturbances may be transient and PPI may be superfluous in some patients. METHODS: Until August 2015, we performed PPI in all patients with new complete left bundle branch block (LBBB, QRS > 120 milliseconds) or higher degree atrioventricular (AV) blocks (liberal strategy). From September 2015 onwards, LBBB established an indication for PPI only in the presence of new-onset AV block (PQ > 200 milliseconds) (restrictive strategy). We analyzed the impact of the restrictive strategy on pacemaker implantation rate, duration of hospital stay, and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Between January 2014 and December 2016, 383 consecutive, pacemaker-naive patients underwent TAVI with the liberal PPI strategy and subsequently 384 with the restrictive strategy. The restrictive strategy significantly reduced the percentage of patients undergoing PPI before discharge (17.2% vs. 38.1%, p < .001) and length of hospital stay (intensive care unit 52 ± 55 vs. 60 ± 52 hours, p < .001; general ward 10.6 ± 5.7 vs. 11.5 ± 5.7 days, p = .001). One-year all-cause mortality was not significantly different between groups (14.1% vs. 11.7%, log-rank p = .28). However, sudden death was more frequent in the restrictive group (3.4% vs. 1.3%, log-rank p = .049). CONCLUSIONS: As compared to a liberal indication for PPI, a restrictive indication reduced PPI rate and length of hospital stay without significantly affecting all-cause mortality. The observed increase in the risk of sudden death with the restrictive PPI indication deserves further investigation.

3D mapping for the identification of the fossa ovalis in left atrial ablation procedures: a pilot study of a first step towards an electroanatomic-guided transseptal puncture.

AIMS: Transseptal puncture (TP) for left atrial (LA) catheter ablation procedures is routinely performed under fluoroscopic guidance. To decrease radiation exposure and increase safety alternative techniques are desirable. The aim of this study was to assess whether right atrial (RA) electroanatomic 3D mapping can reliably identify the fossa ovalis (FO) in preparation of TP. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between May 2019 and August 2019, electroanatomic RA mapping was performed before TP in 61 patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. Three electroanatomic methods for FO identification, mapping catheter-induced FO protrusion, electroanatomic-guided analysis, and voltage mapping, were evaluated and compared with transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). Mapping catheter-induced FO protrusion was feasible in 60 patients (98%) with a mean displacement of 6.8 ± 2.5 mm, confirmed by TOE, and proofed to be the most valuable and easiest marker for FO identification. Electroanatomic-guided analysis localized the FO midpoint consistently in the lower half (43 ± 7%) and posterior (18.2 ± 4.4 mm) to a line between coronary sinus and vena cava superior. Analysis of RA voltage maps during sinus rhythm (n = 40, low-voltage cut-off value 1.0 and 1.5 mV) allowed secure FO recognition in 33% and 18%, only. A step-by-step approach, combining FO protrusion (first step) with anatomy criteria in case of protrusion failure (second step) would have allowed for the correct localization of a TP site within the FO in all patients. CONCLUSION: Right atrial electroanatomic 3D mapping prior to TP proofed to be a simple tool for FO identification and may potentially be of use in the safe and radiation-free performance of TP prior to LA ablation procedures.

Amplified sinus-P-wave reveals localization and extent of left atrial low-voltage substrate: implications for arrhythmia freedom following pulmonary vein isolation.

AIMS: Presence of arrhythmogenic left atrial (LA) low-voltage substrate (LVS) is associated with reduced arthythmia freedom rates following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that LA-LVS modifies amplified sinus-P-wave (APW) characteristics, enabling identification of patients at risk for arrhythmia recurrences following PVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-five patients with persistent AF underwent high-density (>1200 sites) voltage mapping in sinus rhythm. Left atrial low-voltage substrate (<0.5 and <1.0 mV) was quantified in a 10-segment LA model. Amplified sinus-P-wave-morphology and -duration were evaluated using digitized 12-lead electrocardiograms (40-80 mm/mV, 100-200 mm/s). 12-months arrhythmia freedom following circumferential PVI was assessed in 139 patients with persistent AF. Left atrial low-voltage substrate was most frequently (84%) found at the anteroseptal LA. Characteristic changes of APW were related to the localization and extent of LA-LVS. At an early stage, LA-LVS predominantly located to the LA-anteroseptum and was associated with APW-prolongation (≥150 ms). More extensive LA-LVS involved larger areas of LA-anteroseptum, leading to morphological changes of APW (biphasic positive-negative P-waves in inferior leads). Severe LA-LVS involved the LA-anteroseptum, roof and posterior LA, but spared the inferior LA, lateral LA, and LA appendage. In this advanced stage, widespread LVS at the posterior LA abolished the negative portion of P-wave in the inferior leads. The delayed activation of the lateral LA and LA appendage produced the late positive deflections in the anterolateral leads, resulting in the "late-terminal P"-pattern. Structured analysis of APW-duration and -morphology stratified patients to their individual extent of LA-LVS (Grade 1: mean LA-LVS 4.9 cm2 at <1.0 mV; Grade 2: 28.6 cm2; Grade 3: 42.3 cm2; P < 0.01). The diagnostic value of APW-duration for identification of LA-LVS was significantly superior to standard P-wave-amplification (c-statistic 0.945 vs. 0.647). Arrhythmia freedom following PVI differed significantly between APW-predicted grades of LA-LVS-severity [hazard ratio (HR) 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-4.83; P = 0.015 for Grade 1 vs. Grade 2; HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.00-3.21, P = 0.049 for Grade 2 vs. Grade 3). Arrhythmia freedom 12 months after PVI was 77%, 53%, and 33% in Grades 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Localization and extent of LA-LVS modifies APW-morphology and -duration. Analysis of APW allows accurate prediction of LA-LVS and enables rapid and non-invasive estimation of arrhythmia freedom following PVI.

Rapid improvement in left ventricular function after sinus rhythm restoration in patients with idiopathic cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Sinus rhythm restoration (SRR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure may improve systolic function and impact on consecutive clinical management, but time course and potential predictors of response to SRR are uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively studied 50 consecutive patients who presented in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and concomitant AF. After exclusion of valvular and coronary artery disease patients underwent electrical cardioversion. Serial echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), and 24-h electrocardiograms were performed at baseline, and on Days 3 and 40 following SRR. Baseline left ventricular EF of the study population (76% male, age 69 ± 11 years) was 30 ± 7%. Sustained SRR (≥3 days) significantly improved EF (Day 3: 43 ± 7%, n = 46; Day 40: 53 ± 9%, n = 34; P < 0.001) as quantified by echocardiography. Comparable results were obtained using cMRI (baseline: 29 ± 8%; Day 3: 42 ± 9%). Three patients showed no response to SRR (EF improvement <15%). The percentage of patients meeting current criteria for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation for primary prevention dropped from 76% (n = 38) to 11% (n = 3) on Day 40 following SRR. No specific clinical or echocardiographic factor predicting improved EF after SRR could be identified. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients presenting with non-ischaemic, non-valvular heart failure with reduced EF and concomitant AF show a significant and rapid improvement in EF following SRR. An attempt at SRR and reassessment of the need for ICD implantation after 40 days may be warranted in all such patients.

Extent and spatial distribution of left atrial arrhythmogenic sites, late gadolinium enhancement at magnetic resonance imaging, and low-voltage areas in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: comparison of imaging vs. electrical parameters of fibrosis and arrhythmogenesis.

AIMS: Atrial fibrosis contributes to arrhythmogenesis in atrial fibrillation and can be detected by MRI or electrophysiological mapping. The current study compares the spatial correlation between delayed enhancement (DE) areas to low-voltage areas (LVAs) and to arrhythmogenic areas with spatio-temporal dispersion (ST-Disp) or continuous activity (CA) in atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixteen patients with persistent AF (nine long-standing) underwent DE-magnetic resonance imaging (1.25 mm × 1.25 mm × 2.5 mm) prior to pulmonary vein isolation. Left atrial (LA) voltage mapping was acquired in AF and the regional activation patterns of 7680 AF wavelets were analysed. Sites with ST-Disp or CA were characterized (voltage, duration) and their spatial relationship to DE areas and LVAs <0.5 mV was assessed. Delayed enhancement areas and LVAs covered 55% and 24% (P < 0.01) of total LA surface, respectively. Delayed enhancement area was present at 61% of LVAs, whereas low voltage was present at 28% of DE areas. Most DE areas (72%) overlapped with atrial high-voltage areas (>0.5 mV). Spatio-temporal dispersion and CA more frequently co-localized with LVAs than with DE areas (78% vs. 63%, P = 0.02). Regional bipolar voltage of ST-Disp vs. CA was 0.64 ± 0.47 mV vs. 0.58 ± 0.51 mV. All 28 ST-Disp and 56 CA areas contained electrograms with prolonged duration (115 ± 14 ms) displaying low voltage (0.34 ± 0.11 mV). CONCLUSION: A small portion of DE areas and LVAs harbour the arrhythmogenic areas displaying ST-Disp or CA. Most arrhythmogenic activities co-localized with LVAs, while there was less co-localization with DE areas. There is an important mismatch between DE areas and LVAs which needs to be considered when used as target for catheter ablation.

Important reduction of the radiation dose for pulmonary vein isolation using a multimodal approach.

Aims: The number of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation procedures is steadily increasing worldwide resulting in a substantial radiation exposure to patients and operators. The aim of our study was to reduce radiation exposure during these procedures to a critical amount without compromising patient safety. Methods and results: First, we assessed radiation exposure for primary PVI procedures over time (2005-2015) at the University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen. Second, we prospectively evaluated in 52 patients, the efficacy and safety of a novel radiation reduction program (particularly applying an enhanced fluoroscopy pulse dose-reduction and optimized 3D-mapping system use). In 2035 primary PVI procedures, radiation exposure, assessed as estimated effective dose (eED in mSv, dose area product * 0.002 * conversion factor for females), fluoroscopy-time, and procedure-time decreased significantly from 2005 to 2015 (e.g. eED decreased from 9.3 (interquartile range (IQR) 6.4-13.4) mSv to 0.9 (IQR 0.5-1.6) mSv, p for trend <0.001). Importantly, application of the enhanced radiation reduction program further reduced eED to 0.4 mSv (IQR 0.3-0.6, P < 0.001 vs. control), a value not significantly different from slow-pathway ablation procedures (P = 0.41). Multiple linear regression analysis identified the radiation reduction program as the only independent variable associated with a decrease in radiation exposure. Conclusion: Radiation exposure during PVI decreased over the last decade and can further be reduced significantly by the implementation of an enhanced radiation reduction program.

Multicentre evaluation of non-invasive biatrial mapping for persistent atrial fibrillation ablation: the AFACART study.

AIMS: Non-invasive electrocardiogram (ECG) mapping allows the activation of the entire atrial epicardium to be recorded simultaneously, potentially identifying mechanisms critical for atrial fibrillation (AF) persistence. We sought to evaluate the utility of ECG mapping as a practical tool prior to ablation of persistent AF (PsAF) in centres with no practical experience of the system. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 118 patients with continuous AF duration <1 year were prospectively studied at 8 European centres. Patients were on a median of 1 antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) that had failed to restore sinus rhythm. Electrocardiogram mapping (ECVUE™, CardioInsight, USA) was performed prior to ablation to map AF drivers (local re-entrant circuits or focal breakthroughs). Ablation targeted drivers depicted by the system, followed by pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, and finally left atrial linear ablation if AF persisted. The primary endpoint was AF termination. Totally, 4.9 ± 1.0 driver sites were mapped per patient with a cumulative mapping time of 16 ± 2 s. Of these, 53% of drivers were located in the left atrium, 27% in the right atrium, and 20% in the anterior interatrial groove. Driver-only ablation resulted in AF termination in 75 of the 118 patients (64%) with a mean radiofrequency (RF) duration of 46 ± 28 min. Acute termination rates were not significantly different amongst all 8 centres (P = 0.672). Ten additional patients terminated with PV isolation and lines resulting in a total AF termination rate of 72%. Total RF duration was 75 ± 27 min. At 1-year follow-up, 78% of the patients were off AADs and 77% of the patients were free from AF recurrence. Of the patients with no AF recurrence, 49% experienced at least one episode of atrial tachycardia (AT) which required either continued AAD therapy, cardioversion, or repeat ablation. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive mapping identifies biatrial drivers that are critical in PsAF. This is validated by successful AF termination in the majority of patients treated in centres with no experience of the system. Ablation targeting these drivers results in favourable AF-free survival at 1 year, albeit with a significant rate of AT recurrence requiring further management.

Automated Quantification of Right Ventricular Fat at Contrast-enhanced Cardiac Multidetector CT in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate an automated method for the quantification of fat in the right ventricular (RV) free wall on multidetector computed tomography (CT) images and assess its diagnostic value in arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy (ARVC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the institutional review board, and all patients gave informed consent. Thirty-six patients with ARVC (mean age ± standard deviation, 46 years ± 15; seven women) were compared with 36 age- and sex-matched subjects with no structural heart disease (control group), as well as 36 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ischemic group). Patients underwent contrast material-enhanced electrocardiography-gated cardiac multidetector CT. A 2-mm-thick RV free wall layer was automatically segmented and myocardial fat, expressed as percentage of RV free wall, was quantified as pixels with attenuation less than -10 HU. Patient-specific segmentations were registered to a template to study fat distribution. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of fat quantification by using task force criteria as a reference. RESULTS: Fat extent was 16.5% ± 6.1 in ARVC and 4.6% ± 2.7 in non-ARVC (P < .0001). No significant difference was observed between control and ischemic groups (P = .23). A fat extent threshold of 8.5% of RV free wall was used to diagnose ARVC with 94% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 82%, 98%) and 92% specificity (95% CI: 83%, 96%). This diagnostic performance was higher than the one for RV volume (mean area under the ROC curve, 0.96 ± 0.02 vs 0.88 ± 0.04; P = .009). In patients with ARVC, fat correlated to RV volume (R = 0.63, P < .0001), RV function (R = -0.67, P = .001), epsilon waves (R = 0.39, P = .02), inverted T waves in V1-V3 (R = 0.38, P = .02), and presence of PKP2 mutations (R = 0.59, P = .02). Fat distribution differed between patients with ARVC and those without, with posterolateral RV wall being the most ARVC-specific area. CONCLUSION: Automated quantification of RV myocardial fat on multidetector CT images is feasible and performs better than RV volume in the diagnosis of ARVC. Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Length of the Mitral Isthmus But Not Anatomical Location of Ablation Line Predicts Bidirectional Mitral Isthmus Block in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Mitral isthmus (MI) ablation is an effective option in patients undergoing ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Achieving bidirectional conduction block across the MI is challenging, and predictors of MI ablation success remain incompletely understood. We sought to determine the impact of anatomical location of the ablation line on the efficacy of MI ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 40 consecutive patients (87% male; 54 ± 10 years) undergoing stepwise AF ablation were included. MI ablation was performed in sinus rhythm. MI ablation was performed from the left inferior PV to either the posterior (group 1) or the anterolateral (group 2) mitral annulus depending on randomization. The length of the MI line (measured with the 3D mapping system) and the amplitude of the EGMs at 3 positions on the MI were measured in each patient. MI block was achieved in 14/19 (74%) patients in group 1 and 15/21 (71%) patients in group 2 (P = NS). Total MI radiofrequency time (18 ± 7 min vs. 17 ± 8 min; P = NS) was similar between groups. Patients with incomplete MI block had a longer MI length (34 ± 6 mm vs. 24 ± 5 mm; P < 0.001), a higher bipolar voltage along the MI (1.75 ± 0.74 mV vs. 1.05 ± 0.69 mV; P < 0.01), and a longer history of continuous AF (19 ± 17 months vs. 10 ± 10 months; P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, decreased length of the MI was an independent predictor of successful MI block (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.1; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased length but not anatomical location of the MI predicts failure to achieve bidirectional MI block during ablation of persistent AF.

Transseptal access for left atrial ablation: the catheter-probing techniques are not without risk.

BACKGROUND: Transseptal puncture (TP) is a prerequisite for LA ablations. LA access can be gained by catheter probing in case of PFO (trans-PFO method) or puncture of the interatrial septum (IAS) using a transseptal needle. A 2nd access can again be gained via PFO, a 2nd TP or catheter probing of the previous puncture site (probe-TS method). This study investigates the risk factors and complications related to the mode of transseptal access. METHODS AND RESULTS: From August 2010 to August 2012, a total of 544 LA ablations, were performed. The mode of LA access was either a double TP or a single TP followed by the probe-TS or the trans-PFO method, respectively. TP was always guided by TEE and was successfully performed without complications in all cases. In contrast, 6/410 patients (1.5%) in whom catheter probing was performed (probe-TS, n = 4, trans-PFO, n = 2) had a dissection of the superior IAS originating from inside the oval fossa (n = 5) or perforation above the oval fossa (n = 1). Perforation into the pericardial space occurred in 4/6 patients, leading to one cardiac tamponade. In 5/6 patients, LA ablation was successfully completed, after repeated TP, despite effective anticoagulation. Patients with complications had the following characteristics: LA size 46 ± 4 mm, persistent AF (5/6), a repeat transseptal procedure (3/6) and a right-sided pouch (RSP, 5/6). CONCLUSIONS: Interatrial septum dissection/perforation, occasionally with perforation into the pericardial space, is an unreported complication of TP, especially with the catheter-probing techniques. An RSP is an unrecognized risk factor in this context and can be visualized by TEE.