Pulsed field vs very high-power short-duration radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: Results of a multicenter, real-world experience.

BACKGROUND: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) and very high-power short-duration (vHPSD) radiofrequency ablation are the most recently introduced technologies for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The procedural performance, safety, and effectiveness of PFA vs vHPSD are currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to compare PFA with vHPSD for the treatment of paroxysmal or persistent AF. METHODS: We conducted an observational, multicenter study enrolling 534 consecutive patients (63 ± 9 years; 36% female) with paroxysmal (n = 368 [69%]) or persistent (n = 166 [31%]) AF undergoing ablation by either PFA (Farawave; n = 192) or vHPSD (90 W/4 seconds; QDOT Micro; n = 342) between 2020 and 2023. Atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence after a 1-month blanking period was the primary efficacy end point and was assessed both overall and in propensity score-matched patients. The primary safety end point was a composite of procedure-related complications. RESULTS: Successful pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in all patients, with shorter procedure duration (PFA,70 minutes; vHPSD, 100 minutes; P < .001) but longer fluoroscopy time (PFA, 15 minutes; vHPSD, 7 minutes; P < .001) in the PFA group. PFA was associated with more frequent use of general anesthesia (P < .001). Primary safety outcome events occurred in 19 patients (3.5%), with similar prevalence in both groups (PFA, 4%; vHPSD, 3%; P = .745). After a median follow-up of 12 (9-12) months, survival free from recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia was similar between the PFA and vHPSD groups, both overall (12-month estimate: PFA, 75%; vHPSD, 76%; log-rank P = .73) and in propensity score-matched patients (n = 342; 12-month estimate: PFA, 75%; vHPSD, 77%; log-rank P = .980). CONCLUSION: In a large, multicenter experience, PFA was associated with more common use of general anesthesia, shorter procedural times, and longer fluoroscopy exposure compared with vHPSD ablation, with both techniques displaying superimposable safety and efficacy.

Highly complicated lead extraction procedure in patient with previous early orthotopic heart transplantation: A first case report.

We report a first case of a highly complicated lead extraction in a young man who previously underwent orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).Lead extraction in transplanted patients may be a feasible and safe procedure in order to maintain a low infective risk and to preserve alternative vascular access sites.

Optimal left ventricular lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy in postmyocardial infarction patients.

AIM: To evaluate at a 12-month follow-up, the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes in postmyocardial infarction (MI) heart failure patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation. MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 100 patients received a CRT device, and the study population was divided into three groups, according to the site of MI and left ventricular (LV) lead placed downstream of the ischemic area, as evaluated by echocardiography. RESULTS: At the end of the 12-month follow-up, we reported a general improvement of LV ejection fraction from 28 ± 7% to 35 ± 9% (p < 0.001) and a significant reverse remodeling: LV end-systolic volume changed from 147 ± 54 to 125 ± 63 (p = 0.001) with a 53% of echocardiographic responders. We also observed 67% of CRT responders in the group with optimal LV lead placement compared with 38% in the remaining population (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The optimal positioning of LV lead is a feasible method to improve the percentage of CRT responders in post-MI heart failure patients.

Radiation Dose is Significantly Reduced by Use of Contact Force Sensing Catheter During Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

The creation of a durable radiofrequency (RF) lesion depends on several parameters, including catheter tip electrode size and composition, tip orientation, temperature, RF pulse duration, power, blood flow, and catheter to tissue contact. The development of new contact force (CF) sensor catheters has allowed the measurement of the tip to tissue CF during the RF ablation procedure. Here, we describe the clinical experience obtained using CF catheters for atrial fibrillation ablation, with a specific focus on the impact of CF technology on acute procedural data (procedure and fluoroscopy time).

Clinical and technical determinants of long-term performance of coronary sinus leads.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about coronary sinus lead performance in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. We evaluated the impact of clinical and technical parameters on coronary sinus lead performance over long-term follow-up. METHODS: From February 1999 to July 2004, 235 patients (181 men; mean age, 68 +/- 9 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 26.5 +/- 6.5%; idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, 49%; ischemic, 48%; and other cause, 3%) underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (pacemaker or defibrillator) implantation. RESULTS: On implantation, the only statistically significant difference was observed in mean pacing impedance, which was lower for unipolar leads than for bipolar leads (763 +/- 250 vs. 847 +/- 270 Omega, P = 0.02), and lower in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy than in those with idiopathic cardiomyopathy (758 +/- 204 vs. 837 +/- 291 Omega, P = 0.03). After a mean follow-up of 41.7 +/- 14.7 months, a significant decrease was observed in mean pacing impedance (from 811 +/- 261 to 717 +/- 284 Omega, P = 0.0026) and mean R-wave amplitude (from 13.2 +/- 6.7 to 10.5 +/- 5.5 mV, P = 0.002), whereas the mean pacing energy threshold increased from 3.6 +/- 10.4 to 9.5 +/- 28 microJ (P = 0.004). On analysis of variance, unipolar lead (P = 0.016) and posterior coronary sinus position (P = 0.049) were related to a greater energy threshold increase. On multivariate analysis (Cox regression), only posterior coronary sinus lead position (P = 0.013) proved to be an independent predictor of long-term significant increase in the stimulation energy threshold. CONCLUSION: Over the long-term follow-up of coronary sinus leads, pacing impedance and R-wave amplitude decreased, whereas the energy threshold increased; unipolar leads and posterior lead location in the coronary sinus were related to a greater energy threshold increase.