Increasing time between first diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and catheter ablation adversely affects long-term outcomes in patients with and without structural heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia often comorbid with systolic or diastolic heart failure (HF). Catheter ablation is a more effective treatment for AF with concurrent left ventricular dysfunction, however, the optimal timing of use in these patients is unknown. METHODS: All patients that received a catheter ablation for AF(n = 9979) with 1 year of follow-up within the Intermountain Healthcare system were included. Patients with were identified by the presence of structural disease by ejection fraction (EF): EF ≤ 35% (n = 1024) and EF > 35% (n = 8955). Recursive partitioning categories were used to separate patients into clinically meaningful strata based upon time from initial AF diagnosis until ablation: 30-180(n = 2689), 2:181-545(n = 1747), 3:546-1825(n = 2941), and 4:>1825(n = 2602) days. RESULTS: The mean days from AF diagnosis to first ablation was 3.5 ± 3.8 years (EF > 35%: 3.5 ± 3.8 years, EF ≤ 35%: 3.4 ± 3.8 years, p = .66). In the EF > 35% group, delays in treatment (181-545 vs. 30-180, 546-1825 vs. 30-180, >1825 vs. 30-180 days) increased the risk of death with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.02(p < .0001), 2.62(p < .0001), and 4.39(p < .0001) respectively with significant risks for HF hospitalization (HR:1.44-3.69), stroke (HR:1.11-2.14), and AF recurrence (HR:1.42-1.81). In patients with an EF ≤ 35%, treatment delays also significantly increased risk of death (HR 2.07-3.77) with similar trends in HF hospitalization (HR:1.63-1.09) and AF recurrence (HR:0.79-1.24). CONCLUSION: Delays in catheter ablation for AF resulted in increased all-cause mortality in all patients with differential impact observed on HF hospitalization, stroke, and AF recurrence risks by baseline EF. These data favor earlier use of ablation for AF in patients with and without structural heart disease.

Efficiency and safety of high-power ablation guided by Lesion size index: An ex vivo porcine heart study.

BACKGROUND: Although Lesion size index (LSI) has been reported to highly predict radiofrequency lesion size in vitro, its accuracy in lesion size and steam pop estimation has not been well investigated for every possible scenario. METHODS: Initially, radiofrequency ablations were performed on porcine myocardial slabs at various power, CF, and time settings with blinded LSI. Subsequently, radiofrequency power at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 W was applied at CF values of 5, 10, 20, and 30 g to reach target LSIs of 4, 5, 6, and 7. Lesion size and steam pops were recorded for each ablation. RESULTS: Lesion size was positively correlated with LSI regardless of power settings (p < 0.001). The linear correlation coefficients of lesion size and LSI decreased at higher power settings. At high power combined with high CF settings (50 W/20 g), lesion depth and LSI showed an irrelevant correlation (p = 0.7855). High-power ablation shortened ablation time and increased the effect of resistive heating. LSI could predict the risk of steam pops at high-power settings with the optimal threshold of 5.65 (sensitivity, 94.1%; specificity, 46.1%). The ablation depth of the heavy heart was shallower than that of the light heart under similar ablation settings. CONCLUSIONS: LSI could predict radiofrequency lesion size and steam pops at high power settings in vitro, while synchronous high power and high CF should be avoided. Lighter hearts require relatively lower ablation settings to create appropriate ablation depth.

Long-term outcomes in patients treated with flecainide for atrial fibrillation with stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Class 1C antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) have been associated with harm in patients treated for ventricular arrhythmias with a prior myocardial infarction. Consensus guidelines have advocated that these drugs not be used in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). However, long-term data are lacking to know if unique risks exist when these drugs are used for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with CAD without a prior myocardial infarction. METHODS: In 24,315 patients treated with the initiation of AADs, two populations were evaluated: (1) propensity-matched AF patients with CAD were created based upon AAD class (flecainide, n = 1,114, vs class-3 AAD, n = 1,114) and (2) AF patients who had undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft (flecainide, n = 150, and class-3 AAD, n = 1,453). Outcomes at 3 years for mortality, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, ventricular tachycardia (VT), and MACE were compared between the groups. RESULTS: At 3 years, mortality (9.1% vs 19.3%, P < .0001), HF hospitalization (12.5% vs 18.3%, P < .0001), MACE (22.9% vs 36.6%, P < .0001), and VT (5.8% vs 8.5%, P = .02) rates were significantly lower in the flecainide group for population 1. In population 2, adverse event rates were also lower, although not significantly, in the flecainide compared to the class-3 AAD group for mortality (20.9% vs 25.8%, P = .26), HF hospitalization (24.5% vs 26.1%, P = .73), VT (10.9% vs 14.7%, P = .28) and MACE (44.5% vs 49.5%, P = .32). CONCLUSIONS: Flecainide in select patients with stable CAD for AF has a favorable safety profile compared to class-3 AADs. These data suggest the need for prospective trials of flecainide in AF patients with CAD to determine if the current guideline-recommended exclusion is warranted.

Primary histiocytic sarcoma of the clivus with focal extension into central nervous system and neurologic manifestations: First description at an unusual site with an overwhelming and rapid progression.

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare malignant neoplasm of macrophage-dendritic cell lineage that can occur at any site. Primary base of skull involvement is exceedingly rare. We present the case of a previously healthy 56-year-old man who complained of headaches and showed localized neurologic symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a hyperintense and enhancing mass involving the sphenoid bone and the clivus with an extradural component that compressed the distal pons. The differential diagnosis included chordoma or chondrosarcoma. An endoscopic trans-sphenoidal resection was performed. Microscopically, the tumor showed epithelioid and spindle morphology with atypia, mitoses, and necrosis. No osteoid, cartilaginous, or myxoid matrix was identified. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor was positive for CD68 (KP-1) and lysozyme, variably positive for CD4, CD11c, CD14, CD68 (PGM-1), CD45, and CD163, and negative for markers of epithelial, melanocytic, lymphoid, myeloid, muscle, and dendritic cell origin. Expression of PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry and BRAF V600E mutation analysis by PCR were negative. Tumor recurrence developed after radiation treatment with overwhelming progression into a largely infiltrating mass within 2 weeks with clinical deterioration, and the patient died 3 months later. To our knowledge, this represents the first case of primary HS of the clivus reported to date in the English literature, further expanding the spectrum of neoplasms seen at this site as well as the sites where HS can be seen. The overall prognosis of HS in the skull base is poor, with no standard treatment. Further research is warranted to develop effective treatment approaches, which in the future may rely on the expression of checkpoint inhibitors and/or specific molecular markers.

Five-year impact of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with a prior history of stroke.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established therapeutic rhythm approach. Patients with a prior history of a stroke (CVA) represent a unique high-risk population for recurrent thromboembolic events. The role of antiarrhythmic treatment on the natural history of stroke recurrence in these patients is not fully understood. METHODS: Three patient groups with a prior CVA and 5 years of follow-up were matched 1:3:3 by propensity score (±0.01): AF ablation patients receiving their first ablation (n  =  139), AF patients that did not receive an ablation (n  =  416), and CVA patients without clinical AF (n  =  416). Prior CVA was determined by medical chart review. Patients were followed for outcomes of recurrent CVA, heart failure, and death. RESULTS: The average age of the population was 69 ± 11 years and 51% male. AF ablation patients had higher rates of hypertension and heart failure (P < 0.0001), but diabetes prevalence was similar between the groups (P  =  0.5). Note that 5-year risk of CVA (HR  =  2.26, P < 0.0001) and death (HR  =  2.43, P < 0.0001) were higher in the AF, no ablation group compared those that were ablated. When comparing AF, ablation to no AF patients, there was not a significant difference in 5-year risk of for CVA (HR  =  0.82, P  =  0.39) and death (HR  =  0.92, P  =  0.70); however, heart failure risk was increased (HR  =  3.08, P  =  0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with AF and a prior CVA, patients undergoing ablation have lower rates of recurrent stroke compared to AF patients not ablated. Although the full mechanisms of benefit are unknown, as CVA rates are similar to patients without AF these data are suggestive of a potential altering of the natural history of disease progression.

Vagus nerve injury symptoms after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Vagus nerve injury during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation can significantly impact quality of life and result in lingering gastrointestinal symptoms. This study was designed to define risk factors of vagus nerve injury, symptoms, prevalence, and temporal resolution. METHODS: A total of 100 patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were enrolled and consented to participate in the study. Patients completed a 22-item questionnaire that included questions specific to vagus nerve injury symptomatology during their baseline visit and at 1 and 3 months post-RFCA. RESULTS: The average age of the population was 63 ± 10.6 years and 68% were male. A total of 100 patients completed their baseline questionnaire (90 patients completed the 1-month questionnaires and 85 patients completed the 3-month questionnaires). Symptoms rated as moderate were prevalent at baseline (trouble swallowing 13%, bloating 26%, feeling full 20%), and increased in all categories analyzed at 1 month and with the exception of trouble swallowing returned to the preablation percentages at 3 months (heartburn 22.4%, trouble swallowing 18.8%, bloating 16.5%, nausea 8.2%, vomiting 3.5%, constipation 18.8%, diarrhea 16.4%, feeling full 15.3%). Severe rated symptoms of trouble swallowing (2-5.5%), bloating (5-7.6%), and early satiety (5-9.8%) increased at 1 month and bloating and early satiety percentages remained approximately two times higher at 3 months (trouble swallowing 2.4%, bloating 8.2%, early satiety 7.1%). CONCLUSION: The majority of symptoms were resolved by 3 months, although those patients who rate bloating and early satiety at a severe rating may have persistent symptoms.

Atrial fibrillation incrementally increases dementia risk across all CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc strata in patients receiving long-term warfarin.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at higher risk for developing dementia. Warfarin is a common therapy for the prevention of thromboembolism in AF, valve replacement, and thrombosis patients. The extent to which AF itself increases dementia risk remains unknown. METHODS: A total 6030 patients with no history of dementia and chronically anticoagulated with warfarin were studied. Warfarin management was provided through a Clinical Pharmacy Anticoagulation Service. Patients were stratified by warfarin indication of AF (n=3015) and non-AF (n=3015) and matched by propensity score (±0.01). Patients were stratified by the congestive heart failure, hypertension, age >75 years, diabetes, stroke (CHADS2) score calculated at the time of warfarin initiation and followed for incident dementia. RESULTS: The average age of the AF cohort was 69.3±11.2 years, and 52.7% were male; average age of non-AF cohort was 69.3±10.9 years, and 51.5% were male. Increasing CHADS2 score was associated with increased dementia incidence, P trend=.004. When stratified by warfarin indication, AF patients had an increased risk of dementia incidence. After multivariable adjustment, AF patients continued to display a significantly increased risk of dementia when compared with non-AF patients across all CHADS2 scores strata. CONCLUSIONS: In patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy, dementia risk increased with increasing CHADS2 scores. However, the presence of AF was associated with higher rates of dementia across all CHADS2 score strata. These data suggest that AF contributes to the risk of dementia and that this risk is not solely attributable to anticoagulant use. Dementia may be an end manifestation of a systemic disease state, and AF likely contributes to its progression.

Long-term aspirin does not lower risk of stroke and increases bleeding risk in low-risk atrial fibrillation ablation patients.

BACKGROUND: Stroke risk is a significant concern in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Low stroke risk patients (CHADS2 VASc 0-2) are often treated long-term with aspirin after catheter ablation. Defining the long-term risks versus benefits of aspirin therapy, after an ablation, is essential to validate this common clinical approach. METHODS: A total of 4,124 AF ablation patients undergoing their index ablation were included in this retrospective observational study. We compared 1- and 3-year outcomes for cerebrovascular accident (CVA), transient ischemic attack (TIA), gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, genitourinary (GU) bleeding, any bleeding, and AF recurrence among patients receiving: none, aspirin, or warfarin as long-term therapies. RESULTS: Patient distribution by CHADS2 VASc scores was as follows: 0: 1,143 (28%), 1: 1,588 (39%), and 2: 1,393 (34%). Significantly higher incidents of: female gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and vascular disease were seen with higher CHADS2 VASc scores (P < 0.0001 for all). At 3 years, 238 (5.9%) patients were on warfarin, 743 (18.6) on aspirin, and 3,013 (75.5%) on no therapy; with occurrences of CVA/TIA (1.4%, 3.0%, 3.9%, P < 0.0001, respectively), GI bleeding (0.8%, 1.9%, 1.1%, P = 0.06, respectively), and GU bleeding (1.7%, 2.8%, 2.1%, P = 0.008, respectively) that increased with advancing CHA2 DS2 VASc score. There was a significantly increased risk for both CVA/TIA with aspirin therapy, when compared to no therapy or warfarin therapy in general, and across all CHA2 DS2 VASc scores. CONCLUSIONS: After catheter ablation, low risk patients do not benefit from long-term aspirin therapy, but are at risk for higher rates of bleeding when compared to no therapy or warfarin.

Risk Factor Management and Atrial Fibrillation Clinics: Saving the Best for Last?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Management of AF is a complex process involving: 1) the prevention of thromboembolic complications with anticoagulation; 2) rhythm control; and 3) the detection and treatment of underlying heart disease. However, cardiometabolic risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnoea, have been proposed as contributors to the expanding epidemic of atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, a fourth pillar of AF care would include aggressive targeting of interdependent, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors as part of an integrated care model. Such risk factor management could retard and reverse the pathological processes underlying AF and reduce AF burden.

A Comparison of Remote Magnetic Irrigated Tip Ablation versus Manual Catheter Irrigated Tip Catheter Ablation With and Without Force Sensing Feedback.

BACKGROUND: Remote magnetic navigation (RMN) and contact force (CF) sensing technologies have been utilized in an effort to improve safety and efficacy of catheter ablation. A comparative analysis of the relative short- and long-term outcomes of AF patients has not been performed. As such, we comparatively evaluated the safety and efficacy of these technologies. METHODS: A total of 627 patients who underwent catheter ablation with either a manual irrigated tip catheter: (312, 49.8%) or by RMN: (315, 50.2%) were included in this single-center cohort study. Patients treated with CF (59) were analyzed separately as well. One- and 3-year endpoints included death, HF hospitalization, stroke, TIA, and atrial flutter or AF recurrence. RESULTS: Age averaged 65.1 ± 10.7 years and 64.1% male. One- and 3-year endpoints of death, HF hospitalization, stroke, TIA, and atrial flutter or AF recurrence were statistically similar between manual and RMN treated groups. Fluoroscopy times were significantly lower in the RMN group compared to the manual ablation group (8.47 ± 0.45 vs. 9.63 ± 4.06 minutes, P < 0.0001). CF guided patients had 1-year recurrence rate of AF/atrial flutter statistically identical to patients treated with RMN (36.8% vs. 38.6%; P = 1.00). CONCLUSION: RMN results in outcomes similar to manual navigation. The addition of CF sensing catheters did not improve relative procedural outcome or safety profile in comparison to RMN guided ablation in this large observational study of AF ablation.

The Impact of Age on 5-Year Outcomes After Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established therapeutic rhythm approach in symptomatic patients. Many studies have shown that age has little to no impact on outcomes during the first year after ablation. However, AF is a disease of aging and age-based substrate for arrhythmia is likely to progress. To this regard, we examined patients with 5-year outcome data following an index AF ablation procedure to define the impact of age on long-term outcomes. METHODS: A total of 923 patients that underwent their index AF ablation and had 5 years of follow-up were studied. Patients were followed up for atrial flutter/AF recurrence, heart failure, stroke, death, and cardiac function. Patients were separated and compared in 5 age-based groups (<50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, >80). RESULTS: The average age of the population was 66 ± 11 years and 59% were male. The AF was paroxysmal in 55%, persistent in 27%, and longstanding persistent in 18%. Older patients were more likely female and had higher rates of cardiovascular diseases. For every 10-year increase in age there was a higher multivariate-adjusted risk of atrial flutter/AF recurrence (HR: 1.13, P = 0.01), death (HR:1.91, P < 0.0001), and major adverse cardiac events (HR: 1.09, P = 0.07). Although atrial flutter/AF recurrence rates by age were similar at 1 year, at 5 years, younger patients had significantly lower rates of recurrences. CONCLUSION: Age significantly impacts outcomes after AF ablation when analyzed with long-term follow-up. These data highlight the progressive nature of AF and the need to consider interventions early.

Percent Time With a Supratherapeutic INR in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Also Using an Antiplatelet Agent Is Associated With Long-Term Risk of Dementia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at higher risk of developing dementia. AF patients treated with warfarin with poor time in therapeutic ranges are significantly more likely to develop dementia. AF patients are also frequently treated with antiplatelet agents due to coexistent vascular disease. We hypothesize that AF patients with anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies will be at higher risk of dementia, particularly with chronic exposure to over-anticoagulation. METHODS: Chronically anticoagulated patients receiving warfarin (target INR 2-3) for AF and managed by the Intermountain Healthcare Clinical Pharmacist Anticoagulation Service (CPAS) on concurrent antiplatelet agents with no history of dementia or stroke/TIA were included. The primary outcome was the presence of dementia defined by neurologist determined ICD-9 codes. Percent time with an INR>3.0 was determined and then compared by 3 strata <10% (n = 340), 10-24% (n = 417), ≥25% (n = 235). Multivariable Cox hazard regression was utilized to determine dementia incidence by percent time. RESULTS: A total of 992 patients were studied. Patients with an INR>3 more than 25% of the time were 2.40 times more likely to develop dementia (P = 0.04). A comparison between < 10% group and 10-24.9% group with INR>3 indicated no difference in risk for the development of dementia (P = 0.74). The risk was significantly increased in patients using triple antithrombotic therapy, although the number of patients within this group was small. CONCLUSION: In AF patients receiving antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, the percent of time exposed to over-anticoagulation increased dementia risk. These data support the possibility of chronic cerebral injury from microbleeds as a mechanism underlying the association of AF and dementia.

Pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation in the postpneumonectomy population: a feasibility, safety, and outcomes study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of the remnant pulmonary vein (PV) stumps in pneumonectomy patients has not been well characterized. METHODS: This is a multicenter observational study of patients with a remnant PV stump after pneumonectomy. Consecutive patients with a history of pneumonectomy and who had undergone RF ablation for drug refractory AF were identified from the AF database at the participating institutions. RESULTS: There were 15 patients in whom pneumonectomy was performed, for resection of tumors in 10, infection in 4, and bullae in 1 patient and who underwent RF ablation for AF. The mean age was 63 ± 7 years. The stumps were from the right lower PV in 5, left upper PV in 5, left lower PV in 3, and right upper PV in 2 patients. All the PV stumps were electrically active with PV potentials and 9 (60%) of them had triggered activity. PVI was performed in 14 and focal isolation in 1 patient. At 1-year follow-up, 80% were free of AF, off of antiarrhythmic medications. CONCLUSION: PV stumps in AF patients with previous pneumonectomy are electrically active and are frequently the sites of active firing. Isolation of these PV stumps can be accomplished safely and effectively using catheter ablation with no practical concern for PV stenosis or compromising PV stump integrity.

Five-year outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established therapy for symptomatic patients. The long-term efficacy and impact of catheter ablation among patients with severe systolic heart failure (SHF) requires additional study to understand if outcomes achieved at 1 year are maintained and mechanisms of AF recurrence. METHODS: Three groups with SHF and 5 years of follow-up were matched 1:4:4 by age (±5 years) and sex: AF ablation patients receiving their first ablation (n = 267), AF patients that did not receive an ablation (n = 1,068), and SHF patient without AF (n = 1,068). SHF was based upon clinical diagnosis and an ejection fraction (EF) ≤35%. Patients were followed for 5-year primary outcomes of AF recurrence, heart failure, stroke, death, and cardiac function. RESULTS: At 5 years, 60.7% of patients had clinical recurrence of AF. Diabetes and a prior heart attack were significant predictors of long-term risk of AF recurrence. Long-term mortality rates were 27%, 55%, 50%, in the AF ablation, AF, and no AF groups, respectively (P < 0.0001), with the lower rates attributed to lower cardiovascular mortality. At 5 years, there was no difference in EF, yet HF hospitalizations were lower following AF ablation compared to patients with AF and no ablation. Stroke rates at 5 years trended to be lower in the AF ablation group, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Recurrence rates of AF in patients with SHF after ablation are common at 5 years with an anticipated ongoing increase. Long-term AF-related comorbidities tended to be less in the AF ablation group.

Initial independent outcomes from focal impulse and rotor modulation ablation for atrial fibrillation: multicenter FIRM registry.

INTRODUCTION: The success of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) may be improved if stable AF sources identified by Focal Impulse and Rotor Mapping (FIRM) are also eliminated. The long-term results of this approach are unclear outside the centers where FIRM was developed; thus, we assessed outcomes of FIRM-guided AF ablation in the first cases at 10 experienced centers. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled n = 78 consecutive patients (61 ± 10 years) undergoing FIRM guided ablation for persistent (n = 48), longstanding persistent (n = 7), or paroxysmal (n = 23) AF. AF recordings from both atria with a 64-pole basket catheter were analyzed using a novel mapping system (Rhythm View(TM) ; Topera Inc., CA, USA). Identified rotors/focal sources were ablated, followed by PVI. RESULTS: Each institution recruited a median of 6 patients, each of whom showed 2.3 ± 0.9 AF rotors/focal sources in diverse locations. 25.3% of all sources were right atrial (RA), and 50.0% of patients had ≥1 RA source. Ablation of all sources required a total of 16.6 ± 11.7 minutes, followed by PVI. On >1 year follow-up with a 3-month blanking period, 1 patient lost to follow-up (median time to 1st recurrence: 245 days, IQR 145-354), single-procedure freedom from AF was 87.5% (patients without prior ablation; 35/40) and 80.5% (all patients; 62/77) and similar for persistent and paroxysmal AF (P = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Elimination of patient-specific AF rotors/focal sources produced freedom-from-AF of ≈80% at 1 year at centers new to FIRM. FIRM-guided ablation has a rapid learning curve, yielding similar results to original FIRM reports in each center's first cases.

Intracardiac ultrasound for esophageal anatomic assessment and localization during left atrial ablation for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal injury during left atrial ablation is associated with a significant risk of mortality and morbidity. There are no validated approaches to reduce injury outside of avoidance, a strategy critically dependent on a precise understanding of the esophageal anatomy and location. Intracardiac ultrasound (ICE) can provide a real-time assessment of the esophagus during ablation. We hypothesized that ICE can accurately define esophageal anatomy and location to enhance avoidance strategies during ablation. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The left atrium and pulmonary vein anatomies were rendered by traditional electroanatomic mapping (CARTO). A Navistar catheter within the esophagus was used to create a traditional electroanatomic esophageal anatomy. ICE imaging was used to create a second geometry of the esophagus. The traditional and ICE anatomies of the esophagus were compared and the greatest border dimensions used to avoid injury. RESULTS: The average age was 66 ± 10 years, 45% had persistent/longstanding persistent AF, and 18% had a prior AF ablation. The esophagus location was leftward in 17 (34%), midline in 22 (44%), and rightward in 11 (22%). Traditional esophagus and ICE imaging correlated within 1 cm in the greatest distance in 26 (52%) patients. Traditional imaging underestimated the esophageal location by >1-1.5 cm in 9 (18%) and >1.5 cm in 15 (30%). In those with poor correlation (>1.5 cm), the most common cause was the presence of a hiatal hernia. Ablation energy delivery was performed outside the greatest esophagus anatomy borders. Of those with 12-month follow-up, 75% were AF/atrial flutter free without antiarrhythmic drugs. No esophageal injuries were observed. One patient experienced a TIA greater than 6 months postablation. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that traditional means of mapping the esophagus using a catheter within the esophagus are insufficient and often grossly underestimate the actual anatomy. Imaging techniques that define the complete esophageal lumen should be considered to truly minimize esophageal injury risk.

Histology of the Porous Oculomotorius: Relevance to Anterior Skull Base Approaches.

Objective Mobilization of cranial nerve III (CNIII) at its dural entry site is commonly described to avoid damage from stretching during approaches to the parasellar, infrachiasmatic, posterior clinoid, and cavernous sinus regions. The histologic relationships of CNIII as it traverses the dura, and the associated surgical implications are nonetheless poorly described. We herein assess the histology of the CNIII-dura interface as it relates to surgical mobilization of the nerve. Methods A fronto-orbitozygomatic temporopolar approach was performed on six adult cadaveric specimens. The CNIII-dural entry site was resected and histologically processed. The nerve-tissue planes were assessed by a neuropathologist. Results Histologic analysis demonstrated that CNIII remained separate from the dura within the oculomotor cistern (porous oculomotorius up to the oculomotor foramen). Fusion of the epineurium of CNIII and the connective tissue of the dura was seen at the level of the foramen, with no clear histologic plane identified between these structures. Conclusion CNIII may be directly mobilized within the oculomotor cistern, while dissections of CNIII distal to the oculomotor foramen should maintain a thin layer of connective tissue on the nerve.