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Preda A, Bonvicini E, Coradello E, Testoni A, Gigli L, Baroni M, Carbonaro M, Vargiu S, Varrenti M, Colombo G, Paolucci M, Mazzone P, Guarracini F. The Fluoroless Future in Electrophysiology: A State-of-the-Art Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:182. [PMID: 38248058 PMCID: PMC10814721 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14020182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fluoroscopy has always been the cornerstone imaging method of interventional cardiology procedures. However, radiation exposure is linked to an increased risk of malignancies and multiorgan diseases. The medical team is even more exposed to X-rays, and a higher incidence of malignancies was reported in this professional group. In the last years, X-ray exposure has increased rapidly, involving, above all, the medical team and young patients and forcing alternative fluoroless imaging methods. In cardiac electrophysiology (EP) and pacing, the advent of 3D electroanatomic mapping systems with dedicated catheters has allowed real-time, high-density reconstruction of both heart anatomy and electrical activity, significantly reducing the use of fluoroscopy. In addition, the diffusion of intracardiac echocardiography has provided high anatomical resolution of moving cardiac structures, providing intraprocedural guidance for more complex catheter ablation procedures. These methods have largely demonstrated safety and effectiveness, allowing for a dramatic reduction in X-ray delivery in most arrhythmias' ablations. However, some technical concerns, as well as higher costs, currently do not allow their spread out in EP labs and limit their use to only procedures that are considered highly complex and time-consuming and in young patients. In this review, we aim to update the current employment of fluoroless imaging in different EP procedures, focusing on its strengths and weaknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Preda
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Eleonora Bonvicini
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Verona University Hospital, 37129 Verona, Italy
| | - Elena Coradello
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Verona University Hospital, 37129 Verona, Italy
| | - Alessio Testoni
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Gigli
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Matteo Baroni
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Marco Carbonaro
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Sara Vargiu
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Marisa Varrenti
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Giulia Colombo
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Marco Paolucci
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Patrizio Mazzone
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Fabrizio Guarracini
- Electrophysiology Unit, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy (M.C.); (P.M.)
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Debreceni D, Janosi K, Bocz B, Turcsan M, Lukacs R, Simor T, Antolič B, Vamos M, Komocsi A, Kupo P. Zero fluoroscopy catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1178783. [PMID: 37396578 PMCID: PMC10313423 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1178783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently performed cardiac ablation procedure worldwide. The majority of ablations can now be performed safely with minimal radiation exposure or even without the use of fluoroscopy, thanks to advances in 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems and/or intracardiac echocardiography. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of zero fluoroscopy (ZF) versus non-zero fluoroscopy (NZF) strategies for AF ablation procedures. Methods Electronic databases were searched and systematically reviewed for studies comparing procedural parameters and outcomes of ZF vs. NZF approaches in patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF. We used a random-effects model to derive the mean difference (MD) and risk ratios (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Our meta-analysis included seven studies comprising 1,593 patients. The ZF approach was found to be feasible in 95.1% of patients. Compared to the NZF approach, the ZF approach significantly reduced procedure time [mean difference (MD): -9.11 min (95% CI: -12.93 to -5.30 min; p < 0.01)], fluoroscopy time [MD: -5.21 min (95% CI: -5.51 to -4.91 min; p < 0.01)], and fluoroscopy dose [MD: -3.96 mGy (95% CI: -4.27 to -3.64; p < 0.01)]. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of total ablation time [MD: -104.26 s (95% CI: -183.37 to -25.14; p = 0.12)]. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the acute [risk ratio (RR): 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02; p = 0.72] and long-term success rates (RR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90-1.03; p = 0.56) between the ZF and NZF methods. The complication rate was 2.76% in the entire study population and did not differ between the groups (RR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.41-2.15; p = 0.89). Conclusion The ZF approach is a feasible method for AF ablation procedures. It significantly reduces procedure time and radiation exposure without compromising the acute and long-term success rates or complication rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristof Janosi
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Botond Bocz
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Marton Turcsan
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Reka Lukacs
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Tamas Simor
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Bor Antolič
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mate Vamos
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andras Komocsi
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Peter Kupo
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
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Lehar F, Szegedi N, Hejc J, Jez J, Soucek F, Kulik T, Siruckova A, Sallo Z, Nagy KV, Merkely B, Geller L, Starek Z. Randomized comparison of atrioventricular node re-entry tachycardia and atrial flutter catheter ablation with and without fluoroscopic guidance: ZeroFluoro study. Europace 2022; 24:1636-1644. [PMID: 35979596 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Interventional cardiology procedures may expose patients and staff to considerable radiation doses. We aimed to assess whether exposure to ionizing radiation during catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can be completely avoided. METHODS AND RESULTS In this prospective randomized study, patients with SVT (atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia n = 94, typical atrial flutter n = 29) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to catheter ablation with conventional fluoroscopic guidance (CF group) or with the EnSite Precision mapping system [zerofluoro (ZF) group]. Acute procedural parameters, increased stochastic risk of cancer incidence and 6-month follow-up data were assessed. Between May 2019 and August 2020, 123 patients were enrolled. Clinical parameters were comparable. Median procedural time was 60.0 and 58.0 min, median fluoroscopy time and estimated median effective dose were 240 s vs. 0 and 0.38 mSv vs. 0 and arrhythmia recurrence was 5% and 7.9% in the CF and ZF groups, respectively. The acute success rate was 98.4% in both groups. No procedure-related complications were reported. At an average age of 55.5 years and median radiation exposure of 0.38 mSv, the estimate of increased incidence was approximately 1 in 14 084. The estimated mortality rate was 1 per 17 857 exposed persons. CONCLUSIONS The procedural safety and efficacy of the zero-fluoroscopic approach are similar to those of conventional fluoroscopy-based ablation for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia and atrial flutter. Under the assumption of low radiation dose, the excessive lifetime risk of malignancy in the CF group due to electrophysiology procedure is reasonably small, whilst totally reduced in zero fluoroscopy procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Lehar
- International Clinical Research Center, Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Group, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Internal Medicine/Cardioangiology, St. Anne's Hospital, Masaryk University, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nándor Szegedi
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Városmajor str. 68, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jakub Hejc
- International Clinical Research Center, Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Group, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Jez
- International Clinical Research Center, Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Group, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Internal Medicine/Cardioangiology, St. Anne's Hospital, Masaryk University, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Soucek
- International Clinical Research Center, Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Group, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Internal Medicine/Cardioangiology, St. Anne's Hospital, Masaryk University, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Kulik
- International Clinical Research Center, Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Group, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Internal Medicine/Cardioangiology, St. Anne's Hospital, Masaryk University, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Siruckova
- International Clinical Research Center, Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Group, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Internal Medicine/Cardioangiology, St. Anne's Hospital, Masaryk University, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zoltan Sallo
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Városmajor str. 68, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Klaudia Vivien Nagy
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Városmajor str. 68, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bela Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Városmajor str. 68, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Geller
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Városmajor str. 68, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zdeněk Starek
- International Clinical Research Center, Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Group, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Internal Medicine/Cardioangiology, St. Anne's Hospital, Masaryk University, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
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Thirumal R, Vanchiere C, Bhandari R, Jiwani S, Horswell R, Chu S, Chamaria S, Katikaneni P, Boerma M, Gopinathannair R, Olshansky B, Bailey S, Dominic P. The Inverse Correlation Between the Duration of Lifetime Occupational Radiation Exposure and the Prevalence of Atrial Arrhythmia. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:863939. [PMID: 35711353 PMCID: PMC9196104 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.863939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Advancements in fluoroscopy-assisted procedures have increased radiation exposure among cardiologists. Radiation has been linked to cardiovascular complications but its effect on cardiac rhythm, specifically, is underexplored. Methods Demographic, social, occupational, and medical history information was collected from board-certified cardiologists via an electronic survey. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the risk of atrial arrhythmias (AA). Results We received 1,478 responses (8.8% response rate) from cardiologists, of whom 85.4% were male, and 66.1% were ≤65 years of age. Approximately 36% were interventional cardiologists and 16% were electrophysiologists. Cardiologists > 50 years of age, with > 10,000 hours (h) of radiation exposure, had a significantly lower prevalence of AA vs. those with ≤10,000 h (11.1% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.019). A multivariable logistic regression was performed and among cardiologists > 50 years of age, exposure to > 10,000 radiation hours was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of AA, after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea (adjusted OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.38-0.85, p = 0.007). The traditional risk factors for AA (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea) correlated positively with AA in our data set. Cataracts, a well-established complication of radiation exposure, were more prevalent in those exposed to > 10,000 h of radiation vs. those exposed to ≤10,000 h of radiation, validating the dependent (AA) and independent variables (radiation exposure), respectively. Conclusion AA prevalence may be inversely associated with radiation exposure in Cardiologists based on self-reported data on diagnosis and radiation hours. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rithika Thirumal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Catherine Vanchiere
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ruchi Bhandari
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Sania Jiwani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Ronald Horswell
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - San Chu
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | | | - Pavan Katikaneni
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Marjan Boerma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Little Rock, AK, United States
| | - Rakesh Gopinathannair
- Department of Cardiology, Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, Overland Park, KS, United States
| | - Brian Olshansky
- Department of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Steven Bailey
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Paari Dominic
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
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Debreceni D, Janosi K, Vamos M, Komocsi A, Simor T, Kupo P. Zero and Minimal Fluoroscopic Approaches During Ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardias: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:856145. [PMID: 35479287 PMCID: PMC9037593 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.856145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Catheter ablations for cardiac arrhythmias are conventionally performed under fluoroscopic guidance. To guide these procedures, zero/minimal fluoroscopy (Z/MF) approaches have become available, using three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems. Our aim was to conduct a meta-analysis comparing these two different methods for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Methods Electronic databases were searched and systematically reviewed for studies comparing procedural parameters and outcomes of conventional, fluoroscopy-guided vs. Z/MF approaches in patients undergoing electrophysiology (EP) procedures for SVTs. The random-effects model was used to derive mean difference (MD) and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Twenty-four studies involving 9,074 patients met our inclusion criteria. There was no difference between the groups in terms of acute success rate (RR = 1.00, 95% CI, 0.99–1.01; p = 0.97) and long-term success rate (RR: 1.01, 95% CI, 1.00–1.03; p = 0.13). Compared to the conventional method, zero-and-minimal fluoroscopy (Z/MF) ablation significantly reduced fluoroscopic time [MD: −1.58 min (95% CI, −2.21 to −0.96 min; p < 0.01)] and ablation time [MD: −25.23 s (95% CI: −42.04 to −8.43 s; p < 0.01)]. No difference could be detected between the two groups in terms of the procedure time [MD: 3.06 min (95% CI: −0.97 to 7.08; p = 0.14)] and the number of ablation applications [MD: 0.13 (95% CI: −0.86 to 1.11; p = 0.80)]. The complication rate was 1.59% in the entire study population and did not differ among the groups (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.45–1.05; p = 0.08). Conclusions The Z/MF approach for the catheter ablation of SVTs is a feasible method that reduces radiation exposure and ablation time without compromising the acute and long-term success or complication rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorottya Debreceni
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Dorottya Debreceni
| | - Kristof Janosi
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Mate Vamos
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andras Komocsi
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamas Simor
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Peter Kupo
- Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Randomized trial of intracardiac echocardiography-guided slow pathway ablation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2022; 63:709-714. [PMID: 35044581 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-022-01126-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of the slow pathway (SP) in atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is highly effective; however, it may require prolonged fluoroscopy and RF time. We postulated that visualization of the SP region with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) could decrease ablation time, minimize radiation exposure, and facilitate SP ablation compared to the standard, fluoroscopy-guided approach. METHODS In our study, we randomized 91 patients undergoing electrophysiologic study and SP ablation for AVNRT into 2 groups: fluoroscopy-only (n = 48) or ICE-guided (n = 43) group. Crossover to ICE-guidance was allowed after 8 unsuccessful RF applications. RESULTS Mapping plus ablation time (mean ± standard deviation: 18.8 ± 16.1 min vs 11.6 ± 15.0 min, p = 0.031), fluoroscopy time (median [interquartile range]: 4.9 [2.93-8.13] min vs. 1.8 [1.2-2.8] min, p < 0.001), and total ablation time (144 [104-196] s vs. 81 [60-159] s, p = 0.001) were significantly shorter in the ICE group. ICE-guidance was associated with reduced radiation exposure (13.2 [8.2-13.4] mGy vs. 3.7 [1.5-5.8] mGy, p < 0.001). The sum of delivered RF energy (3866 [2786-5656] Ws vs. 2283 [1694-4284] Ws, p = 0.002) and number of RF applications (8 [4.25-12.75] vs. 4 [2-7], p = 0.001) were also lower with ICE-guidance. Twelve (25%) patients crossed over to the ICE-guided group. All were treated successfully thereafter with similar number, time, and cumulative energy of RF applications compared to the ICE group. No recurrence occurred during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS ICE-guidance during SP ablation significantly reduces mapping and ablation time, radiation exposure, and RF delivery in comparison to fluoroscopy-only procedures. Moreover, early switching to ICE-guided ablation seems to be an optimal choice in challenging cases.
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A standardized stepwise zero-fluoroscopy approach with transesophageal echocardiography guidance for atrial fibrillation ablation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2021; 64:629-639. [PMID: 34757547 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-021-01086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is growing interest in performing fluoroless radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) due to the increasing awareness of risk associated with radiation exposure of patients and professional staff. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a stepwise transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided zero-fluoroscopy approach (ZFA) for RFA. METHODS Consecutive patients (n = 111) referred for AF-ablation were prospectively enrolled with intention to RFA with ZFA. Procedural outcomes were compared with historical controls (HCs) after 1:1 propensity score matching. ZFA success was considered when no X-ray was utilized to perform the whole procedure. RESULTS ZFA success was achieved in 80 (72%) procedures. BMI > 35 kg/m2 resulted in the only independent predictor of ZFA failure (OR = 6.10, 95% CI 1.15-46.49, p = 0.04). In comparison to HCs, a significant reduction in radiation exposure was observed in the ZFA group: fluoroscopy time (3 vs. 63 s, p < 0.001), total emitted fluoroscopy dose (0.2 vs. 6.0 mGy, p < 0.001), dose area product (0.04 vs. 1.4 Gy*cm2, p < 0.001), and effective dose (0.8 vs. 27.2 mSv*100, p < 0.001). Complete pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in all procedures. No difference was observed between the groups in in-hospital complication rate (0.9% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study proving procedural feasibility, safety, and efficacy of TEE-guided AF-ablation with a complete or near-complete avoidance of radiological exposure, without using intracardiac echocardiography.
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Styczkiewicz K, Ludwik B, Styczkiewicz M, Śledź J, Gorski M, Stec S. Implementation of zero or near-zero fluoroscopy catheter ablation for idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia originating from the aortic sinus cusp. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2021; 38:497-506. [PMID: 34709523 PMCID: PMC8927012 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-021-02432-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Complete elimination of fluoroscopy during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (IVAs) originating from the aortic sinus cusp (ASC) is challenging. The aim was to assess the feasibility, safety and a learning curve for a zero-fluoroscopy (ZF) approach in centers using near-zero fluoroscopy (NOX) approach in IVA-ASC. Between 2012 and 2018, we retrospectively enrolled 104 IVA-ASC patients referred for ZF RFA or NOX using a 3-dimensional electroanatomic (3D-EAM) system (Ensite, Velocity, Abbott, USA). Acute, short and long-term outcomes and learning curve for the ZF were evaluated. ZF was completed in 62 of 75 cases (83%) and NOX in 32 of 32 cases (100%). In 13 cases ZF was changed to NOX. No significant differences were found in success rates between ZF and NOX, no major complications were noted. The median procedure and fluoroscopy times were 65.0 [45-81] and 0.0 [0-5] min respectively, being shorter for ZF than for NOX. With growing experience, the preference for ZF significantly increased-43% (23/54) in 2012-2016 vs 98% (52/53) in 2017-2018, with a simultaneous reduction in the procedure time. ZF ablation can be completed in almost all patients with IVA-ASC by operators with previous experience in the NOX approach, and after appropriate training, it was a preferred ablation technique. The ZF approach for IVA-ASC guided by 3D-EAM has a similar feasibility, safety, and effectiveness to the NOX approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Styczkiewicz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, Al. mjr.W.Kopisto 2a, 35-310, Rzeszów, Poland.
| | - Bartosz Ludwik
- Department of Cardiology, Centre for Research and Development, Regional Specialist Hospital, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marek Styczkiewicz
- Department of Cardiology, The Pope John Paul II Province Hospital of Zamość, Zamość, Poland
| | - Janusz Śledź
- ELMedica, EP-Network, Skarzysko-Kamienna, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Gorski
- Department of Cardiology, Specialist Hospital in Wałbrzych, Wałbrzych, Poland
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