Characteristics and outcomes of recurrent atrial fibrillation after prior failed pulmonary vein isolation.
J Interv Card Electrophysiol
; 64(3): 715-722, 2022 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35169965
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The mechanisms for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) catheter ablation are unclear. Non-PV organized atrial arrhythmias (PAC, AT, macro-reentrant AFL) are possible contributors; however the prevalence and effect of their ablation on recurrent AF are unknown. We hypothesize that the identification and ablation of non-PV organized atrial arrhythmias were associated with less AF recurrence.METHODS:
Patients who underwent repeat ablation for recurrent AF after prior PVI were retrospectively enrolled. The prevalence and characteristics of PV reconnections and non-PV organized atrial arrhythmias were identified. The outcomes of time to clinical AF recurrence, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and mortality were analyzed in patients using multivariable adjusted Cox regression.RESULTS:
In 74 patients with recurrent AF (age 66 ± 9 years, left atrial volume index 38 ± 10 ml/m2, 59% persistent AF), PV reconnections were found in 46 patients (61%), macro-reentrant atrial flutter in 27 patients (36%), and focal tachycardia in 12 patients (16%). Mapping and ablation of non-PV organized atrial arrhythmias were associated with a reduced recurrence of late clinical AF (adjusted HR 0.26, CI 0.08-0.85, p = 0.03) and the composite outcome of recurrence of late AF, HF hospitalization, and mortality (adjusted HR 0.38, CI 0.17-0.85, p = 0.02), with median follow-up of 1.6 (IQR 0.7-6.3) years. The presence of PV reconnections or empiric linear ablation was not associated with reduction in clinical AF or composite endpoints.CONCLUSION:
The ablation of non-PV organized atrial arrhythmias resulted in a reduction of late clinical AF recurrence and composite outcome. In this challenging population, alternate mechanisms beyond PV reconnections need to be considered. Prospective studies are needed.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pulmonary Veins
/
Atrial Fibrillation
/
Catheter Ablation
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
J Interv Card Electrophysiol
Journal subject:
CARDIOLOGIA
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: