Luminal esophageal temperature monitoring with a deflectable esophageal temperature probe and intracardiac echocardiography may reduce esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures: results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring is one strategy to minimize esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. However, esophageal ulceration and fistulas have been reported despite adequate LET monitoring. The objective of this study was to assess a novel approach to LET monitoring with a deflectable LET probe on the rate of esophageal injury in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-five consecutive patients undergoing an atrial fibrillation ablation procedure followed by esophageal endoscopy were included in this prospective observational pilot study. LET monitoring was performed with a 7F deflectable ablation catheter that was positioned as close as possible to the site of left atrial ablation using the deflectable component of the catheter guided by visualization of its position on intracardiac echocardiography. Ablation in the posterior left atrial was limited to 25 W and terminated when the LET increased 2°C from baseline. Endoscopy was performed 1 to 2 days after the procedure. All patients had at least 1 LET elevation >2°C necessitating cessation of ablation. Deflection of the LET probe was needed to accurately measure LET in 5% of patients when ablating near the left pulmonary veins, whereas deflection of the LET probe was necessary in 88% of patients when ablating near the right pulmonary veins. The average maximum increase in LET was 2.5±1.5°C. No patients had esophageal thermal injury on follow-up endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: A strategy of optimal LET probe placement using a deflectable LET probe and intracardiac echocardiography guidance, combined with cessation of radiofrequency ablation with a 2°C rise in LET, may reduce esophageal thermal injury during left atrial ablation procedures.

Detecção de taquiarritmias atriais em portadores de marcapassos bicamerais / Detection of atrial tachyarrhythmia in dual-chamber pacemaker patients

O estudo comparou o diagnóstico de taquiarritmias atriais (TA) em portadores de marcapassos bicamerais detectadas por eletrocardiogramas de 12 derivações (ECG) realizados durante consultas clínicas e avaliações de marcapasso, com detecções de TA dos dispositivos implantados. Em uma amostra de 65 paciente, foram implantados e avaliados marcapassos bicamerais (DDDR) capazes de detectar e gravar eletrogramas atriais (EGM)...

Teste de indução de taquicardia por reentrada eletrônica em pacientes portadores de marcapasso bicameral / Induced tachycardia test through electronic reentry in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers

Introdução: A taquicardia por reentrada eletrônica pode ser um efeito adverso em pacientes portadores de marcapassos bicamerais (DDD, DDDR e VDD) na presença de condução ventrículo-atrial. Pode ocorrer especialmente em pacientes cujos marcapassos apresentam falhas de comando e sensibilidade atrial ou falhas na programação. Material e Método: Foram avaliados 118 portadores de marcapasso bicameral, com implante por doença do nó sinusal (DNS) e bloqueio atrioventricular total (BAVT), por meio de monitoramento eletrocardiográfico computadorizado e programador/interrogador de marcapasso. Resultados: Taquicardias por reentrada eletrônica foram induzidas em 30 pacientes por meio de um protocolo que produziu perda de comando atrial, aumento da sensibilidade atrial, elevação da frequência de estimulação e redução...