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.

The First Evaluation of Remote Magnetic Navigation-Guided Pediatric Ventricular Arrhythmia Ablation.

Catheter ablation (CA) is an important treatment option for ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in pediatric cardiology. Currently, various CA techniques are available, including remote magnetic navigation (RMN)-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation. However, no studies evaluate RMN-guided ablative therapy outcomes in children with VA yet. This study aimed to compare procedural and long-term outcomes between RMN-guided and manual (MAN)-guided VA ablation in children. This single-center, retrospective study included all CA procedures for VA performed in children with or without structural heart disease from 2008 until 2020. Two study groups were defined by CA technique: RMN or MAN. Primary outcome was recurrence of VA. Baseline clinical, procedural and safety data were also evaluated. This study included 22 patients, who underwent 30 procedures, with a median age of 15 (IQR 14-17; range 1-17) years and a mean weight of 57 ± 20 kg. In total, 14 procedures were performed using RMN and 16 using MAN (22 first and 8 redo procedures). Regarding first procedures, recurrence rates were significantly lower in RMN compared to MAN (20% versus 67%, P = 0.029), at a mean follow-up of 5.2 ± 3.0 years. Moreover, fluoroscopy dosages were significantly lower in RMN compared to MAN [20 (IQR 14-54) versus 48 (IQR 38-62) mGy, P = 0.043]. In total, 20 patients (91%) were free of VA following their final ablation procedure. This is the first study to investigate the use of RMN in pediatric VA ablation. RMN showed improved outcomes compared to MAN, resulting in lower VA recurrence and reduced fluoroscopy exposure.

Congenital lobar emphysema causing discrepancy between size and symptoms of ventricular septal defect.

Three small infants presented with severely symptomatic ventricular septal defect, thought to require cardiac surgery, although the defect was not very large. Surgery for the associated congenital lobar emphysema led to recovery, and cardiac surgery was not necessary.

The performance of dipole charge density mapping integrated with robotic magnetic navigation in the treatment of atrial tachycardias.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) has become a well-established first-line therapy for a broad spectrum of arrhythmias, including atrial tachycardias (ATs). In this study we aimed to assess the performance of the integrated novel high-resolution new generation noncontact mapping system (AcQMap) with robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) system in CA procedures for patients with ATs including comparing patient subgroups based on the utilized mapping modality, arrhythmia mechanism, localization and type of procedure. METHODS: All patients undergoing CA for AT using the AcQMap-RMN system were included. Procedural safety and efficacy were characterized by intra- and post-procedural complications. Acute procedural success and the long-term outcome were assessed in the overall group and in the subgroups. RESULTS: A total number of 70 patients were referred for CA with atrial arrhythmias including 67 AT/AFL (mean age 57.1 ± 14.4 years), and 3 additional patients with inappropriate sinus tachycardia. Thirty-eight patients had de novo AT, 24 had post-PVI AT including 2 patients with perinodal AT, and 5 had post-MAZE AT. Two patients (2.9%) suffered post-procedural complications including 1 patient with groin hematoma and 1 patient with a transient ischemic attack. Acute success was achieved in 63/67 (94.0%) procedures. Thirteen patients (19.4%) had documented recurrence at the end of the 12-months follow-up period. The performance of AcQMap was equally good in focal vs. reentry mechanisms (p = 0.61, acute success), in the left and right atrium (p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: AcQMap-RMN integration might improve success rates in CA of ATs with low number of complications.

Single-beat global atrial mapping facilitates the treatment of short-lived atrial tachycardias and infrequent premature atrial contractions.

BACKGROUND: Short runs of atrial tachycardias (ATs) and infrequent premature atrial contractions (PACs) are difficult to map and ablate using sequential electrophysiology mapping techniques. The AcQMap mapping system allows for highly accurate mapping of a single atrial activation. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the value of a novel dipole charge density-based high-resolution mapping technique (AcQMap) in the treatment of brief episodes of ATs and PACs. METHODS: Data of all patients undergoing catheter ablation (CA) using the AcQMap mapping system were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-one out of 219 patients (male n = 8; female n = 23) had short runs of ATs (n = 23) and PACs (n = 8). The mean procedural time was 155.3 ± 46.6 min, with a mean radiation dose of 92.0 (IQR 37.0-121.0) mGy. Total radiofrequency application duration 504.0 (271.0-906.0) s. Left atrial localization of ATs and PACs was identified in 45.1% of the cases, right atrium localization in 45.1%, and septal origins in 9.8% of the cases. Acute success was achieved in 30/31 (96.8%), and recurrence during the follow-up developed in six patients (19.4%), including four patients with PACs and two patients with short-lived ATs. One patient presented procedure-related groin hematoma as minor complication. CONCLUSION: Brief episodes of highly symptomatic ATs and infrequent PACs can be mapped using charge density mapping and successfully ablated with high acute and long-term success rates.

Dipole charge density mapping integrated in remote magnetic navigation: First-in-human feasibility study.

Aims: Robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) provides increased catheter precision and stability. Formerly, only the CARTO 3 mapping system was integrated with the RMN system (CARTO-RMN). Recently, a novel high-resolution non-contact mapping system (AcQMap) has been integrated with the RMN system (AcQMap-RMN) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial tachycardias (AT). We aim to compare the safety, efficiency, and efficacy of AcQMap-RMN with CARTO-RMN guided catheter ablation (CA) procedures. Material and methods: In this prospective registry, procedural safety efficiency and outcome data from total of 238 consecutive patients (147 AcQMap-RMN and 91 CARTO-RMN patients) were compared. Results: AcQMap-RMN is non-inferior in the primary endpoint of safety as compared to CARTO-RMN across the whole group (overall procedural complications in 5 (3.4%) vs. 3 (3.3%) patients, p = 1.0). Overall procedure durations were longer and associated with more fluoroscopy use with AcQMap-RMN (172.5 vs. 129.6 min, p < 0.01; 181.0 vs. 131.0 mGy, p = 0.02, respectively). Procedure duration and fluoroscopy use decreased significantly between the first 30 and the last 30 AcQMap-RMN procedures. The AcQMap-RMN system had fewer recurrences after persistent AF ablations and was non-inferior in paroxysmal AF patients compared to CARTO-RMN at 12 months (36.6% vs. 75.0%, p = 0.04, PAF 6.6% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.58; respectively). CA of AT outcomes were better using the AcQMap-RMN system (1 year recurrence 17.1% vs. 38.7%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: AcQMap-RMN integration has no negative impact on the excellent safety profile of RMN guided ablations. It improves outcomes of CA procedures for persAF and AT but requires longer procedure times and higher fluoroscopy use during the initial learning phase.

Remote magnetic navigation shows superior long-term outcomes in pediatric atrioventricular (nodal) tachycardia ablation compared to manual radiofrequency and cryoablation.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) is the first-choice treatment for tachyarrhythmia in children. Currently available CA techniques differ in mechanism of catheter navigation and energy sources. There are no large studies comparing long-term outcomes between available CA techniques in a pediatric population with atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT) or atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare procedural and long-term outcomes of remote magnetic navigation-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation (RMN), manual-guided RF ablation (MAN) and manual-guided cryoablation (CRYO). METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study included all first consecutive CA procedures for AVRT or AVNRT performed in children without structural heart disease from 2008 to 2019. Three study groups were defined by the ablation technique used: RMN, MAN or CRYO. Primary outcome was long-term recurrence of tachyarrhythmia. RESULTS: In total, we included 223 patients, aged 14 (IQR 12-16) years; weighting 56 (IQR 47-65) kilograms. In total, 108 procedures were performed using RMN, 76 using MAN and 39 using CRYO. RMN had significantly lower recurrence rates compared to MAN and CRYO at mean follow-up of 5.5 ± 2.9 years (AVRT: 4.3% versus 15.6% versus 54.5%, P < 0.001; AVNRT: 7.7% versus 8.3% versus 35.7%, P = 0.008; for RMN versus MAN versus CRYO respectively). In AVNRT ablation, RMN had significantly lower fluoroscopy doses compared to CRYO [30 (IQR 20-41) versus 45 (IQR 29-65) mGy, P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: In pediatric patients without structural heart disease who underwent their first AV(N)RT ablation, RMN has superior long-term outcomes compared to MAN and CRYO, in addition to favorable fluoroscopy doses.

Maternal hypothyroxinaemia in early pregnancy and school performance in 5-year-old offspring.

OBJECTIVE: Overt hypothyroidism in pregnant women is associated with a lower intelligence quotient in their children. More recently, subtle decreases in maternal thyroid function have also been associated with neurodevelopmental impairment in offspring. We tested the effect of hypothyroxinaemia during early pregnancy on school performance. DESIGN: This was a longitudinal study that included the data of 1196 mother-child pairs from the Amsterdam Born Children and Their Development study. METHODS: Maternal serum free thyroxine (T4) and TSH were obtained at a median gestational age of 12.9 (interquartile range: 11.9-14.3) weeks. School performance was assessed at age 5 years and based on scores obtained in arithmetic and language tests from the national monitoring and evaluation system. Poor school performance was defined as a test result <25th percentile and subnormal school performance as a result <50th percentile of the norm population. To estimate the impact of possible non-response bias, we conducted inverse-probability weighted analyses. RESULTS: Maternal hypothyroxinaemia (i.e., a maternal free T4 in the lowest 10% of distribution) was associated with a 1.61 (95% CI: 1.05-2.47) -fold increased odds of subnormal arithmetic performance after adjustment for confounders (P=0.03). However, the odds ratio dropped to 1.48 (95% CI: 0.94-2.32) after inverse-probability weighting (P=0.09). No such relations were found with TSH. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal hypothyroxinaemia at the end of the first trimester was associated with reduced performance in an arithmetic test, but not in a language test, in 5-year-old offspring. However, our results should be interpreted carefully because of possible non-response bias.