Performance of the ablation index during pulmonary vein isolation: periprocedural data from a multicenter registry.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to assess the achievement of target ablation index (AI) values and their impact on first-pass pulmonary vein isolation (FPI) as well as to identify FPI predictors. METHODS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation was performed according to the local practice, and target AIs were evaluated. The actual AI was calculated as the median value of all ablation points for the anterior and posterior left atrial (LA) walls. RESULTS: A total of 450 patients from nine centers were enrolled. Patients with first-time ablation (n = 408) were divided into the FPI and non-FPI groups. In the FPI group, a higher median target AI was reported for both the anterior and posterior LA walls than those in the non-FPI group. A higher actual AI was observed for the anterior LA wall in the FPI group. The actual AI was equal to or higher than the target AI for the posterior, anterior, and both LA walls in 54%, 47%, and 35% (n = 158) cases, respectively. Parameters such as hypertension, stroke, ablation power, actual AI value on the anterior wall, target AI values on both LA walls, AI achievement on the posterior wall, carina ablation, and operator experience were all associated with FPI in a univariate logistic regression model; only carina ablation was an independent predictor of FPI. CONCLUSIONS: According to our multicenter study, FPI and a target AI were not achieved in a significant proportion of AF ablation procedures. Higher actual and target AI values were associated with FPI, but only carina ablation can independently predict FPI.

Outcomes of Cryoballoon Ablation in High- and Low-Volume Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Centres: A Russian Pilot Survey.

PURPOSE: The results of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) procedure have been mainly derived from studies conducted in experienced atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation centres. Here, we report on CBA efficacy and complications resulting from real practice of this procedure at both high- and low-volume centres. METHODS: Among 62 Russian centres performing AF ablation, 15 (24%) used CBA technology for pulmonary vein isolation. The centres were asked to provide a detailed description of all CBA procedures performed and complications, if encountered. RESULTS: Thirteen sites completed interviews on all CBAs in their centres (>95% of CBAs in Russia). Six sites were high-volume AF ablation (>100 AF cases/year) centres, and 7 were low-volume AF ablation. There was no statistical difference in arrhythmia-free rates between high- and low-volume centres (64.6 versus 60.8% at 6 months). Major complications developed in 1.5% of patients and were equally distributed between high- and low-volume centres. Minor procedure-related events were encountered in 8% of patients and were more prevalent in high-volume centres. Total event and vascular access site event rates were higher in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: CBA has an acceptable efficacy profile in real practice. In less experienced AF ablation centres, the major complication rate is equal to that in high-volume centres.