Prevention of periprocedural ischemic stroke and management of hemorrhagic complications in atrial fibrillation ablation under continuous warfarin administration.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the effects of continuing warfarin administration during the periprocedural period of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) on the prevention of stroke complications and to evaluate the management of hemorrhagic complications occurring with this approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 3,280 patients undergoing AF catheter ablation at our institution were divided into 2 groups: the first 1,953 patients who discontinued warfarin 3-4 days before AF ablation and were bridged with heparin (warfarin-discontinued group), and the last 1,327 patients who continued warfarin throughout the periprocedural period (warfarin-continued group). Symptomatic stroke or transient ischemic attack occurred in 13/1,953 patients (0.67%) in the warfarin-discontinued group and in 2/1,327 patients (0.15%) in the warfarin-continued group (P = 0.021). None of the patients with therapeutic international normalized ratio at the time of the procedure had periprocedural thromboembolism in the warfarin-continued group. Major hemorrhagic complications occurred in 26/1,953 patients in the warfarin-discontinued group (1.3%; 25 with cardiac tamponade and 1 with retroperitoneal bleeding), and in 15/1,327 patients in the warfarin-continued group (1.1%; 14 with cardiac tamponade and 1 with abdominal wall bleeding) (P = 0.80). Of the 14 warfarin-continued patients with cardiac tamponade, 13 were administered prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) and vitamin K; the bleeding was stopped safely without surgical repair. CONCLUSION: The continuation of warfarin during the periprocedural period of AF ablation could reduce the incidence of stroke without increasing hemorrhagic complications. When cardiac tamponade occurred with this approach, it was safely treated with PCC and vitamin K.

Clinical characteristics and management of periesophageal vagal nerve injury complicating left atrial ablation of atrial fibrillation: lessons from eleven cases.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics and management of periesophageal vagal nerve injury complicating the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 3,695 patients with drug-resistant AF underwent extensive pulmonary vein isolation at our institution. Either a nonirrigated or an irrigated ablation catheter was employed, with radiofrequency power of 25-40 W. Esophageal temperature was monitored in 3,538 patients: when the esophageal temperature reached 42°C radiofrequency delivery was stopped. A total of 11 patients (60 ± 11 years, 10 males) were diagnosed as having a periesophageal vagal nerve injury after the AF ablation. Symptoms included nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, and gastric pain, which occurred within 72 hours after the procedure. Gastrointestinal fluoroscopy and/or endoscopy revealed gastric hypomotility (10 patients) and pyloric spasm (1 patient). Intravenous erythromycin (3 mg/kg every 8 hours) was effective in relieving symptoms in 5 patients, and the patient with pyloric spasm underwent esophagojejunal anstomosis. Eight patients almost fully recovered within 40 days; however, 3 patients suffered from severe symptoms for 3-12 months. This complication occurred in 4 of the 157 patients (2.5%) who did not have esophageal temperature monitoring, and 7 of the 3,538 (0.2%) who did (P = 0.0007). The 3 patients with persistent severe symptoms received no esophageal temperature monitoring. CONCLUSION: The clinical course and severity of the periesophageal vagal nerve injury varied, but most patients finally recovered with conservative treatment. Radiofrequency delivery under esophageal temperature monitoring might reduce both the incidence and the severity of this complication.