A worldwide survey on incidence, management, and prognosis of oesophageal fistula formation following atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: the POTTER-AF study.

AIMS: Oesophageal fistula represents a rare but dreadful complication of atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. Data on its incidence, management, and outcome are sparse. METHODS AND RESULTS: This international multicentre registry investigates the characteristics of oesophageal fistulae after treatment of atrial fibrillation by catheter ablation. A total of 553 729 catheter ablation procedures (radiofrequency: 62.9%, cryoballoon: 36.2%, other modalities: 0.9%) were performed, at 214 centres in 35 countries. In 78 centres 138 patients [0.025%, radiofrequency: 0.038%, cryoballoon: 0.0015% (P < 0.0001)] were diagnosed with an oesophageal fistula. Peri-procedural data were available for 118 patients (85.5%). Following catheter ablation, the median time to symptoms and the median time to diagnosis were 18 (7.75, 25; range: 0-60) days and 21 (15, 29.5; range: 2-63) days, respectively. The median time from symptom onset to oesophageal fistula diagnosis was 3 (1, 9; range: 0-42) days. The most common initial symptom was fever (59.3%). The diagnosis was established by chest computed tomography in 80.2% of patients. Oesophageal surgery was performed in 47.4% and direct endoscopic treatment in 19.8% and conservative treatment in 32.8% of patients. The overall mortality was 65.8%. Mortality following surgical (51.9%) or endoscopic treatment (56.5%) was significantly lower as compared to conservative management (89.5%) [odds ratio 7.463 (2.414, 23.072) P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Oesophageal fistula after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is rare and occurs mostly with the use of radiofrequency energy rather than cryoenergy. Mortality without surgical or endoscopic intervention is exceedingly high.

[Surface ECG characteristics of right and left atrial flutter]. / Oberflächen-EKG-Charakteristika von rechts- und linksatrialem Vorhofflattern.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial tachycardia in virtually all areas of both atria has become more important in the clinical management of patients with previous complex atrial fibrillation ablation. Accurate interpretation of surface electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics is of paramount importance to localize the origin of atrial tachycardia, particularly for planning interventional treatment. This article highlights the ECG features of different types of right and left atrial tachycardia. DEFINITION: Typical right atrial flutter through the cavotricuspid isthmus conducts septally in a cranial direction and demonstrates sawtooth-like flutter waves which start negative in II, III and aVF and then show a steep slope upwards to the isoelectric line. The flutter rate typically ranges between 240-250 beats/min. In contrast, right atrial flutter in a clockwise rotation, flutter around the vena cava inferior or superior and around a scar (e.g. after cardiac surgery) show positive or biphasic flutter waves (lower or upper loop reentry). Left atrial flutter waves (e.g. around the mitral valve or around the pulmonary veins) are very heterogeneous and are typically positive in V1 as the left atrium is located in the posterior mediastinum. CONCLUSION: Specific knowledge of flutter wave morphology in surface ECG facilitates planning and performance of the ablation strategy.

Transradial left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy: assessment of safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of a systematic transradial approach for left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy using a new hydrophilic sheathless guiding catheter. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-two consecutive patients were included. The transradial success rate was 98% (41 of 42). In one case, cross over to femoral access due to irreversible spasm of the right radial artery was necessary. No radial spasm was observed in the other 41 patients. Depending on the indication, several other procedures, such as coronary angiography or ventricular angiography, were additionally performed through the same transradial access site. Median fluoroscopy time was 7.9 min. The mean dose area product was 1867 cGy × cm(2). All biopsy samples were graded as good or excellent quality. No patient had any complications. Immediate post-procedural ambulation could be achieved in all patients. Radial artery patency was confirmed by duplex sonography 24 h after removal of the guide. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates safety and efficacy of a systematic transradial access for left ventricular EMB using a highly hydrophilic sheathless guiding catheter. This is of clinical importance since this new technique may overcome critical limitations of the common approach.