Venous vascular closure system vs. figure-of-eight suture following atrial fibrillation ablation: the STYLE-AF Study.

AIMS: Simplified ablation technologies for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are increasingly performed worldwide. One of the most common complications following PVI are vascular access-related complications. Lately, venous closure systems (VCSs) were introduced into clinical practice, aiming to reduce the time of bed rest, to increase the patients' comfort, and to reduce vascular access-related complications. The aim of the present study is to compare the safety and efficacy of using a VCS to achieve haemostasis following single-shot PVI to the actual standard of care [figure-of-eight suture and manual compression (MC)]. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a prospective, multicentre, randomized, controlled, open-label trial performed at three German centres. Patients were randomized 1:1 to undergo haemostasis either by means of VCS (VCS group) or of a figure-of-eight suture and MC (F8 group). The primary efficacy endpoint was the time to ambulation, while the primary safety endpoint was the incidence of major periprocedural adverse events until hospital discharge. A total of 125 patients were randomized. The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The VCS group showed a shorter time to ambulation [109.0 (82.0, 160.0) vs. 269.0 (243.8, 340.5) min; P < 0.001], shorter time to haemostasis [1 (1, 2) vs. 5 (2, 10) min; P < 0.001], and shorter time to discharge eligibility [270 (270, 270) vs. 340 (300, 458) min; P < 0.001]. No major vascular access-related complication was reported in either group. A trend towards a lower incidence of minor vascular access-related complications on the day of procedure was observed in the VCS group [7 (11.1%) vs. 15 (24.2%); P = 0.063] as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Following AF ablation, the use of a VCS results in a significantly shorter time to ambulation, time to haemostasis, and time to discharge eligibility. No major vascular access-related complications were identified. The use of MC and a figure-of-eight suture showed a trend towards a higher incidence of minor vascular access-related complications.

Surgical ventricular reconstruction and intraoperative cryoablation in a patient with drug-refractory ventricular tachycardia and left ventricular thrombus: a case report.

Background: Despite modern techniques for ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT), the procedure faces challenges such as deep intramural substrates or inaccessibility of the pericardial space. We aim to present a case of successful surgical treatment of a patient with drug-refractory VT, an apical aneurysm, large left ventricular (LV) thrombus, and recurrent implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks following failed epicardial catheter ablation. Case summary: A 67-year-old male with a history of ischaemic cardiomyopathy was brought to the emergency room after a syncope because of VT. The VT was terminated by an external cardioversion prior to admission. The ICD interrogation showed an episode of sustained monomorphic VT with eight appropriate but mostly ineffective ICD shocks. An echocardiogram revealed an apical aneurysm with a thrombus. Anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy were initiated. Days later, the patient suffered recurrent episodes of sustained VTs, refractory to pharmacological therapy, and epicardial ablation; therefore, following aneurysmectomy and thrombus removal, a reconstruction of the LV and surgical endocardial cryoablation were performed. In addition, ICD extraction was done due to recurrent bacteraemia with Staphylococcus aureus. A subcutaneous ICD was later implanted. After surgery, the patient remained free of any VT episodes during 44 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Combined surgical ventricular reconstruction and intraoperative cryoablation may be considered as an alternative, highly effective therapy in patients with drug-refractory VTs in the setting of a LV thrombus.

Impact of Left Atrial Posterior Wall Ablation During Pulsed-Field Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone is insufficient to treat many patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF). Adjunctive left atrial posterior wall (LAPW) ablation with thermal technologies has revealed lack of efficacy, perhaps limited by the difficulty in achieving lesion durability amid concerns of esophageal injury. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the safety and effectiveness of PVI + LAPW ablation vs PVI in patients with PersAF using pulsed-field ablation (PFA). METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of the MANIFEST-PF (Multi-National Survey on the Methods, Efficacy, and Safety on the Post-approval Clinical Use of Pulsed Field Ablation) registry, we studied consecutive PersAF patients undergoing post-approval treatment with a pentaspline PFA catheter. The primary effectiveness outcome was freedom from any atrial arrhythmia of ≥30 seconds. Safety outcomes included the composite of acute and chronic major adverse events. RESULTS: Of the 547 patients with PersAF who underwent PFA, 131 (24%) received adjunctive LAPW ablation. Compared to PVI-alone, patients receiving adjunctive LAPW ablation were younger (65 vs 67 years of age, P = 0.08), had a lower CHA2DS2-VASc score (2.3 ± 1.6 vs 2.6 ± 1.6, P = 0.08), and were more likely to receive electroanatomical mapping (48.1% vs 39.0%, P = 0.07) and intracardiac echocardiography imaging (46.1% vs 17.1%, P < 0.001). The 1-year Kaplan-Meier estimate for freedom from atrial arrhythmias was not statistically different between groups in the full (PVI + LAPW: 66.4%; 95% CI: 57.6%-74.4% vs PVI: 73.1%; 95% CI: 68.5%-77.2%; P = 0.68) and propensity-matched cohorts (PVI + LAPW: 71.7% vs PVI: 68.5%; P = 0.34). There was also no significant difference in major adverse events between the groups (2.2% vs 1.4%, respectively, P = 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PersAF undergoing PFA, as compared to PVI-alone, adjunctive LAPW ablation did not improve freedom from atrial arrhythmia at 12 months.

[Ventricular tachycardia-without structural heart disease: History]. / VT ­ ohne strukturelle Herzerkrankung: Historischer Überblick.

This article focuses on ventricular arrythmias without evidence for structural heart disease. There are many different reasons for this type of arrythmia and there is still a gap of knowledge. Starting with the first description of this disease, we present the diagnosis and management with medication, and finally catheter ablation procedures from the beginning to how it is currently treated and how it possibly will be treated in the near future.

Clinical Outcomes by Sex After Pulsed Field Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Importance: Previous studies evaluating the association of patient sex with clinical outcomes using conventional thermal ablative modalities for atrial fibrillation (AF) such as radiofrequency or cryoablation are controversial due to mixed results. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a novel AF ablation energy modality that has demonstrated preferential myocardial tissue ablation with a unique safety profile. Objective: To compare sex differences in patients undergoing PFA for AF in the Multinational Survey on the Methods, Efficacy, and Safety on the Postapproval Clinical Use of Pulsed Field Ablation (MANIFEST-PF) registry. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective cohort study of MANIFEST-PF registry data, which included consecutive patients undergoing postregulatory approval treatment with PFA to treat AF between March 2021 and May 2022 with a median follow-up of 1 year. MANIFEST-PF is a multinational, retrospectively analyzed, prospectively enrolled patient-level registry including 24 European centers. The study included all consecutive registry patients (age ≥18 years) who underwent first-ever PFA for paroxysmal or persistent AF. Exposure: PFA was performed on patients with AF. All patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation and additional ablation, which was performed at the discretion of the operator. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary effectiveness outcome was freedom from clinically documented atrial arrhythmia for 30 seconds or longer after a 3-month blanking period. The primary safety outcome was the composite of acute (<7 days postprocedure) and chronic (>7 days) major adverse events (MAEs). Results: Of 1568 patients (mean [SD] age, 64.5 [11.5] years; 1015 male [64.7%]) with AF who underwent PFA, female patients, as compared with male patients, were older (mean [SD] age, 68 [10] years vs 62 [12] years; P < .001), had more paroxysmal AF (70.2% [388 of 553] vs 62.4% [633 of 1015]; P = .002) but had fewer comorbidities such as coronary disease (9% [38 of 553] vs 15.9% [129 of 1015]; P < .001), heart failure (10.5% [58 of 553] vs 16.6% [168 of 1015]; P = .001), and sleep apnea (4.7% [18 of 553] vs 11.7% [84 of 1015]; P < .001). Pulmonary vein isolation was performed in 99.8% of female (552 of 553) and 98.9% of male (1004 of 1015; P = .90) patients. Additional ablation was performed in 22.4% of female (124 of 553) and 23.1% of male (235 of 1015; P = .79) patients. The 1-year Kaplan-Meier estimate for freedom from atrial arrhythmia was similar in male and female patients (79.0%; 95% CI, 76.3%-81.5% vs 76.3%; 95% CI, 72.5%-79.8%; P = .28). There was also no significant difference in acute major AEs between groups (male, 1.5% [16 of 1015] vs female, 2.5% [14 of 553]; P = .19). Conclusion and Relevance: Results of this cohort study suggest that after PFA for AF, there were no significant sex differences in clinical effectiveness or safety events.

Novel or established cryoballoon ablation system for pulmonary vein isolation: the prospective ICE-AGE-1 study.

AIMS: Catheter ablation with a cryoballoon (CB) provides effective and durable pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) associated with encouraging clinical outcome data. The novel POLARx CB incorporates unique features, which may translate into improved safety, efficacy, and outcomes. The ICE-AGE-1 study aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and 1-year clinical follow-up of the POLARx CB in comparison to the Arctic Front Advance Pro CB (AF-CB4). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 103 consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent POLARx-based PVI (POLARx group) were prospectively enrolled and were compared to 102 consecutive patients previously treated with the AF-CB4 (AF-CB4 group). The mean age was 68.7 ± 10.2 (POLARx) and 65.7 ± 12 (AF-CB4, P = 0.0551) years. A total of 412 (POLARx) and 404 (AF-CB4) PVs were identified. All PVs, except for one PV in the POLARx group, were successfully isolated. A significant difference regarding the mean minimal CB temperature reached using the POLARx CB (-56.1 ± 8.3°C) and AF-CB4 (-46.9 ± 10.1°C) was observed (P < 0.0001). Real-time PVI was visualized in 71% of PVs in the POLARx group and 46% of them in the AF-CB4 group (P < 0.001). The mean procedure time was comparable: 54.5 ± 17.1 min for POLARx and 59.4 ± 18.6 min for AF-CB4 (P = 0.0509). No differences were observed in terms of periprocedural complications. There were comparable rates in freedom of AF or atrial tachycardia recurrence after 12 months, beyond a 90-day long blanking period: 78.9% in the POLARx group vs. 77.2% in the AF-CB4 group (P = 0.804). CONCLUSION: The novel POLARx CB showed similar safety, efficacy, and 1-year recurrence-free survival rates compared to the AF-CB4. A higher rate of real-time electrical PV recordings and significantly lower balloon temperatures were observed using the POLARx as compared to AF-CB4.

Has COVID-19 changed the spectrum of arrhythmias and the incidence of sudden cardiac death?

Arrhythmic manifestations of COVID-19 include atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, sinus node dysfunction, atrioventricular conduction abnormalities, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, sudden cardiac arrest, and cardiovascular dysautonomias including the so-called long COVID syndrome. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been implicated, such as direct viral invasion, hypoxemia, local and systemic inflammation, changes in ion channel physiology, immune activation, and autonomic dysregulation. The development of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias in hospitalized COVID-19 patients has been shown to portend a higher risk of in-hospital death. Management of these arrhythmias should be based on published evidence-based guidelines, with special consideration of the acuity of COVID-19 infection, concomitant use of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs, and the transient nature of some rhythm disorders. In view of new SARS-CoV­2 variants that may evolve, the development and use of newer antiviral and immunomodulator drugs, and the increasing adoption of vaccination, clinicians must remain vigilant for other arrhythmic manifestations that may occur in association with this novel but potentially deadly disease.

Safety and Effectiveness of Pulsed Field Ablation to Treat Atrial Fibrillation: One-Year Outcomes From the MANIFEST-PF Registry.

BACKGROUND: Pulsed field ablation is a novel nonthermal cardiac ablation modality using ultra-rapid electrical pulses to cause cell death by a mechanism of irreversible electroporation. Unlike the traditional ablation energy sources, pulsed field ablation has demonstrated significant preferentiality to myocardial tissue ablation, and thus avoids certain thermally mediated complications. However, its safety and effectiveness remain unknown in usual clinical care. METHODS: MANIFEST-PF (Multi-National Survey on the Methods, Efficacy, and Safety on the Post-Approval Clinical Use of Pulsed Field Ablation) is a retrospective, multinational, patient-level registry wherein patients at each center were prospectively included in their respective center registries. The registry included all patients undergoing postapproval treatment with a multielectrode 5-spline pulsed field ablation catheter to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) between March 1, 2021, and May 30, 2022. The primary effectiveness outcome was freedom from clinical documented atrial arrhythmia (AF/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia) of ≥30 seconds on the basis of electrocardiographic data after a 3-month blanking period (on or off antiarrhythmic drugs). Safety outcomes included the composite of acute (<7 days postprocedure) and latent (>7 days) major adverse events. RESULTS: At 24 European centers (77 operators) pulsed field ablation was performed in 1568 patients with AF: age 64.5±11.5 years, female 35%, paroxysmal/persistent AF 65%/32%, CHA2DS2-VASc 2.2±1.6, median left ventricular ejection fraction 60%, and left atrial diameter 42 mm. Pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in 99.2% of patients. After a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 367 (289-421) days, the 1-year Kaplan-Meier estimate for freedom from atrial arrhythmia was 78.1% (95% CI, 76.0%-80.0%); clinical effectiveness was more common in patients with paroxysmal AF versus persistent AF (81.6% versus 71.5%; P=0.001). Acute major adverse events occurred in 1.9% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this large observational registry of the postapproval clinical use of pulsed field technology to treat AF, catheter ablation using pulsed field energy was clinically effective in 78% of patients with AF.

Left atrial appendage closure in end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis: Data from a German multicenter registry.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has emerged as an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). OAC treatment has been proven feasible in mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). In contrast, the optimal antithrombotic management of AF patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is unknown and LAAC has not been proven in these patients in prospective randomized clinical trials. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of LAAC in patients with ESRD. METHODS: Patients undergoing LAAC were collected in a German multicenter real-world observational registry. A composite endpoint consisting of the occurrence of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism, and/or major clinical bleeding was assessed. Patients with ESRD were compared with propensity score-matched patients without severe CKD. ESRD was defined as a glomerular filtration rate < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 or chronic hemodialysis treatment. RESULTS: A total of 604 patients were analyzed, including 57 with ESRD and 57 propensity-matched patients. Overall, 596 endocardial and 8 epicardial LAAC procedures were performed. Frequency of major complications was 7.0% (42/604 patients) in the overall cohort, 8.8% (5/57 patients) in patients with ESRD, and 10.5% (6/57 patients) in matched controls (p = 0.75). The estimated event-free survival of the combined endpoint after 500 days was 90.7 ± 4.5% in patients with ESRD and 90.2 ± 5.5% in matched controls (p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: LAAC had comparable procedural safety and clinical efficacy in patients with ESRD and patients without severe CKD.

Mechanisms of late arrhythmia recurrence after initially successful pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF,) but arrhythmia recurrence occurs in a relevant number of patients. Mechanisms of late occurring arrhythmias after ablation procedures are not fully understood. We analyzed electrophysiological mechanisms of early and late arrhythmia recurrences in patients who underwent radiofrequency-based catheter ablation of AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients who underwent repeat ablation procedures after initial pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for symptomatic arrhythmia recurrence were analyzed. A total of 110 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for paroxysmal (79%) or persistent AF (21%) were included. Forty-seven patients suffered from early arrhythmia recurrence (group #1: 3-24 months), 29 patients from mid-term arrhythmia recurrences (group #2: 2-5 years), and 34 patients from late arrhythmia recurrences (group #3: > 5 years). Electrical PV reconnection was found in 98% in group #1, 72% in group #2 and 56% in group #3 (p < .001). Mode of arrhythmia recurrence was organized tachycardia in 25%, 28%, and 65% of patients in groups #1, #2, and #3 (p = .001), respectively. Patients with late arrhythmia recurrence had more pronounced left atrial low voltage as compared to patients with early arrhythmia recurrence based on two published scoring system. CONCLUSION: Electrical PV reconnection was found in the majority of patients with early AF recurrence after PVI. In patients with late arrhythmia recurrences this mechanism may play an inferior role, with many patients presenting without PV reconnection, but with LA structural alterations. Thus, early and late occurring arrhythmia recurrence after catheter ablation may be the same symptom of different diseases.

EASY-WPW: a novel ECG-algorithm for easy and reliable localization of manifest accessory pathways in children and adults.

AIMS: Accessory pathway (AP) ablation is a standard procedure for the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). Twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)-based delta wave analysis is essential for predicting ablation sites. Previous algorithms have shown to be complex, time-consuming, and unprecise. We aimed to retrospectively develop and prospectively validate a new, simple ECG-based algorithm considering the patients' heart axis allowing for exact localization of APs in patients undergoing ablation for WPW. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our multicentre study included 211 patients undergoing ablation of a single manifest AP due to WPW between 2013 and 2021. The algorithm was developed retrospectively and validated prospectively by comparing its efficacy to two established ones (Pambrun and Arruda). All patients (32 ± 19 years old, 47% female) underwent successful pathway ablation. Prediction of AP-localization was correct in 197 patients (93%) (sensitivity 92%, specificity 99%, PPV 96%, and NPV 99%). Our algorithm was particularly useful in correctly localizing antero-septal/-lateral (sensitivity and specificity 100%) and posteroseptal (sensitivity 98%, specificity 92%) AP in proximity to the tricuspid valve. The accuracy of EASY-WPW was superior compared to the Pambrun (93% vs. 84%, P = 0.003*) and the Arruda algorithm (94% vs. 75%, P < 0.001*). A subgroup analysis of children (n = 58, 12 ± 4 years old, 55% female) revealed superiority to the Arruda algorithm (P < 0.001*). The reproducibility of our algorithm was excellent (Ï°>0.8; P < 0.001*). CONCLUSION: The novel EASY-WPW algorithm provides reliable and accurate pre-interventional ablation site determination in WPW patients. Only two steps are necessary to locate left-sided AP, and three steps to determine right-sided AP.

Outcome of a polymer-free drug-coated coronary stent in bifurcation lesions-Pilot registry with serial OCT imaging.

BACKGROUND: Polymer-free and carrier-free drug-coated stents (DCS) represent a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The objective of this pilot registry is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DCS implantation in bifurcation lesions. METHODS: Overall, 23 consecutive patients with 24 lesions received a Biolimus A9-coated DCS for coronary bifurcation lesions. Patients were examined with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 3-6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients with 24 bifurcation lesions were included in this study. Nine (33.3%) lesions of eight patients revealed angiographical target lesion failure due to in-stent restenosis (ISR). In total, 19 patients with 20 bifurcation lesions were suitable for OCT analysis. A total of 2936 struts were analyzed and 14 struts (0.47%) were classified as malapposed. The mean luminal area (mm2) was not different in lesions with ISR vs. lesions with no ISR (5.07 ± 2.0 vs. 5.73 ± 1.34, p = 0.39) at follow-up. Lesions with ISR showed higher mean neointimal burden (27.11 ± 10.59 vs. 13.93 ± 9.16%, respectively; p = 0.009). All of the patients who presented with significant ISR required percutaneous re-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high rate of DCS ISR in bifurcation lesions, possibly related to increased inflammation and neoatherosclerosis. The small size of the study warrants careful interpretation of our results. Larger trials are necessary to expand knowledge of these findings.

Antithrombotic therapy after angioplasty of pulmonary vein stenosis due to atrial fibrillation ablation: A two-center experience and review of the literature.

Background: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a severe complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation resulting in narrowing of affected pulmonary veins (PVs). Interventional treatment consists of angioplasty with or without PV stenting. The optimal postprocedural antithrombotic therapy is not known. Study aims: To investigate the impact of antithrombotic medical therapy on recurrence of PVS after PV angioplasty. Methods: A retrospective study of patients undergoing PV angioplasty with or without stent implantation in two German centers was performed. Postinterventional antithrombotic therapy consisted of either dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) or a combination of oral anticoagulation with single or dual antiplatelet therapy for 3-12 months after intervention. Angiographic follow-up was recommended 3, 6, and 12 months after intervention and in case of symptom recurrence. Results: Thirty patients underwent treatment of 42 PVS. After intervention, twenty-eight patients received triple therapy and 14 patients received dual therapy/DAPT; restenosis occurred in 5/22 (22.7%) patients with triple therapy and 8/14 (57.1%) patients with dual therapy/DAPT PV (p = .001). Estimated freedom from PV restenosis after 500 days was 18.8 ± 15.8% (dual therapy/DAPT) and 76.2 ± 10.5% (triple therapy) (p = .003). Univariate regression analysis revealed postprocedural medication as a significant risk factor for restenosis (p = .019). No bleeding events occurred regardless of applied antithrombotic therapy. Conclusion: Triple antithrombotic therapy after PV angioplasty is associated with less frequent restenosis as compared to dual antiplatelet therapy or a combination of anticoagulation and single antiplatelet therapy. No severe bleeding events occurred in patients on triple therapy. These findings need to be confirmed in larger patient cohorts.

[New mapping tools for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation]. / Neue Mapping-Tools in der Katheterablation von Vorhofflimmern.

The pulmonary veins have been recognized as the primary source of atrial triggers, and their isolation has become the cornerstone for ablation of atrial fibrillation. However, long-term success rates after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are limited. Several promising new mapping techniques are described in this article, aiming to better understand the mechanisms underlying the induction and maintenance of atrial fibrillation and to develop more effective ablation strategies.

Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure with the LAmbre Device Protected by a Cerebral Protection System in a 76-Year-Old Man with Persistent Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus.

BACKGROUND Despite use of optimal oral anticoagulation regimens, left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus may develop and persist in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The therapeutic options in this population are limited. Percutaneous LAA closure (LAAC) is performed to reduce thrombus formation and the risk of thromboembolism. However, this approach is prohibited in patients with LAA thrombus. We report the case of a 76-year-old man with AF and persistent LAA thrombus who underwent percutaneous LAAC with the LAmbre device protected by the SENTINEL Cerebral Protection System (CPS). CASE REPORT A 76-year-old man with history of persistent AF treated with pulmonary veins and LAA isolation developed LAA thrombus resistant to different anticoagulation therapies, including apixaban and Phenprocoumon, with a target international normalized ratio (INR) of 3-3,5. Repeated follow-up transesophageal echocardiography showed a persistent LAA thrombus despite optimal INR values. Thus, we performed a percutaneous LAAC using a double-umbrella-designed appendage occluder and a CPS to minimize the risk of intraprocedural cerebral embolization. The procedure was guided by transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy. No signs of systemic thromboembolism were noted, and the CPS filters showed no evidence of thrombotic material. CONCLUSIONS This report shows that the use of a CPS during percutaneous LAAC may reduce the risk of procedural cerebral embolization and could be used as an alternative therapy for patients with contraindication or lack of effectiveness of oral anticoagulation.

Acute and long-term success of left atrial anterior line and mitral isthmus line ablation in patients after mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: Perimitral flutter and atrial fibrillation may occur in patients with prior surgical mitral valve (MV) repair or replacement and can be challenging for percutaneous catheter ablation. This study sought to determine the feasibility, acute success and durability of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia by way of a mitral isthmus line (MIL) or an anterior line (AL). METHODS: A total of 81 patients (49 males, mean age 62±11 years) with prior MV replacement (n = 30) or reconstruction (n = 51) underwent creation of a MIL (34) and/or an AL (72). RESULTS: Acute bidirectional block of the MIL was successfully achieved in 24/34 cases and of the AL in 64/72 patients. Patients of the control group without prior MV surgery were matched 1:1 with the valve group. In the AL control subgroup, acute bidirectional block was achieved in 65/72 patients. Acute blockage in the MIL control subgroup could be achieved in 31/34 patients. The MIL valve subgroup showed the worst results in terms of durability, whereas a similar trend emerged in the control group and the AL valve subgroup (probability of failure in MIL valve subgroup 2.224 vs. MIL control subgroup 0.605 [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11-0.65), P = .004]; probability of failure in AL valve subgroup 0.844 vs. AL control subgroup 1.03 [HR = 1.22 (95% CI, 0.66-2.26), P = .523]). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous creation of MIL and AL is feasible and safe in patients with prior MV replacement/repair and associated with moderate acute and long-term success rates to achieve bidirectional block.