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Pierucci N, Mariani MV, Laviola D, Silvetti G, Cipollone P, Vernile A, Trivigno S, La Fazia VM, Piro A, Miraldi F, Vizza CD, Lavalle C. Pulsed Field Energy in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: From Physical Principles to Clinical Applications. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2980. [PMID: 38792520 PMCID: PMC11121906 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102980] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation, representing the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia, significantly impacts stroke risk and cardiovascular mortality. Historically managed with antiarrhythmic drugs with limited efficacy, and more recently, catheter ablation, the interventional approach field is still evolving with technological advances. This review highlights pulsed field ablation (PFA), a revolutionary technique gaining prominence in interventional electrophysiology because of its efficacy and safety. PFA employs non-thermal electric fields to create irreversible electroporation, disrupting cell membranes selectively within myocardial tissue, thus preventing the non-selective damage associated with traditional thermal ablation methods like radiofrequency or cryoablation. Clinical studies have consistently shown PFA's ability to achieve pulmonary vein isolation-a cornerstone of AF treatment-rapidly and with minimal complications. Notably, PFA reduces procedure times and has shown a lower incidence of esophageal and phrenic nerve damage, two common concerns with thermal techniques. Emerging from oncological applications, the principles of electroporation provide a unique tissue-selective ablation method that minimizes collateral damage. This review synthesizes findings from foundational animal studies through to recent clinical trials, such as the MANIFEST-PF and ADVENT trials, demonstrating PFA's effectiveness and safety. Future perspectives point towards expanding indications and refinement of techniques that promise to improve AF management outcomes further. PFA represents a paradigm shift in AF ablation, offering a safer, faster, and equally effective alternative to conventional methods. This synthesis of its development and clinical application outlines its potential to become the new standard in AF treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pierucci
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Marco Valerio Mariani
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Domenico Laviola
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Giacomo Silvetti
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Pietro Cipollone
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Antonio Vernile
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Sara Trivigno
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | | | - Agostino Piro
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Fabio Miraldi
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Carmine Dario Vizza
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
| | - Carlo Lavalle
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.V.M.); (D.L.); (G.S.); (P.C.); (A.V.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (F.M.); (C.D.V.)
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Qiu Y, Chen H, Chen M. Clinical implication of persistent left superior vena cava isolation for atrial fibrillation: Author's reply. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 47:591. [PMID: 38430480 DOI: 10.1111/pace.14933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongwu Chen
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minglong Chen
- Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Gao M, Bian Y, Huang L, Zhang J, Li C, Liu N, Liu X, Zuo S, Guo X, Wang W, Zhao X, Long D, Sang C, Tang R, Li S, Dong J, Ma C. Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with persistent left superior vena cava: Case series and systematic review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1015540. [PMID: 36337869 PMCID: PMC9632661 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1015540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common form of thoracic venous abnormality. Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) can be complicated by the existence of PLSVC, which could act as an important arrhythmogenic mechanism in AF. Methods and results We reported a case series of patients with PLSVC who underwent CA for AF at our center between 2018 and 2021. A systematic search was also performed on PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for research reporting CA for AF in patients with PLSVC. Sixteen patients with PLSVC were identified at our center. Ablation targeting PLSVC was performed in 5 patients in the index procedures and in four patients receiving redo procedures. One patient experienced acute procedure failure. After a median follow-up period of 15 months, only 6 (37.5%) patients remained free from AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) after a single procedure. In the systematic review, 11 studies with 167 patients were identified. Based on the included studies, the estimated prevalence of PLSVC in patients undergoing CA for AF was 0.7%. Ablation targeting PLSVC was performed in 121 (74.7%) patients. Major complications in patients with PLSVC receiving AF ablation procedure included four cases of cardiac tamponades (2%), three cases of cardiac effusion (1.5%), one case of ischemic stroke, and three cases of phrenic nerve injury (1.5%) (one left phrenic nerve and two right phrenic nerve). Pooled analysis revealed that after a median follow-up period of 15.6 months (IQR 12.0–74.0 months), the long-term AF/AT-free rate was 70.6% (95% CI 62.8–78.4%, I2 = 0.0%) (Central illustration). Different ablation strategies for PLSVC were summarized and discussed in the systematic review. Conclusion In patients with PLSVC, recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after CA for AF is relatively common. Ablation aiming for PLSVC isolation is necessitated in most patients. The overall risk of procedural complications was within an acceptable range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Bian
- Department of Cardiology, Baoji Hospital Affiliated to Xi’an Medical University, Baoji, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lihong Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingrui Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Changyi Li
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nian Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Song Zuo
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyuan Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Deyong Long
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Caihua Sang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ribo Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Songnan Li
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Songnan Li,
| | - Jianzeng Dong
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Changsheng Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Kim D, Hwang T, Kim M, Yu HT, Kim TH, Uhm JS, Joung B, Lee MH, Pak HN. Extra-Pulmonary Vein Triggers at de novo and the Repeat Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:759967. [PMID: 34805314 PMCID: PMC8600078 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.759967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Extra-pulmonary vein triggers can play a significant role in atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation. We explored the characteristics of the extra-pulmonary vein (PV) triggers in de novo and repeat atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation (AFCA). Methods: We included 2,118 patients who underwent a de novo AFCA (women 27.6%, 59.2 ± 10.9 years old, paroxysmal AF 65.9%) and 227 of them conducted repeat procedures. All included patients underwent isoproterenol provocation tests at the end of the procedure, and then we analyzed extra-PV triggers-related factors. Results: Extra-PV triggers were documented in 11.7% of patients undergoing de novo AFCA (1.22 ± 0.46 foci per patient) and 28.6% undergoing repeat AFCA (1.49 ± 0.73 foci per patient). Older age and higher LA volume index in de novo procedures and women, diabetes, and higher parasympathetic nerve activity (heart rate variability) in repeat-AFCA were independently associated with the existence of extra-PV triggers. The septum (19.9%), coronary sinus (14.7%), and superior vena cava (11.2%) were common extra-PV foci. Among 46 patients who were newly found to have mappable extra-PV triggers upon repeat procedures, 15 (32.6%) matched with the previous focal or empirical extra-PV ablation sites. The rate of AF recurrence was significantly higher in patients with extra-PV triggers than in those without after de novo (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.54–2.38, p < 0.001) and repeat procedures (HR 2.68, 95% CI 1.63–4.42, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Extra-PV triggers were commonly found in AF patients with significant remodeling and previous empirical extra-PV ablation. The existence of extra-PV triggers was independently associated with poorer rhythm outcomes after the de novo and repeat AFCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daehoon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Taehyun Hwang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hee Tae Yu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae-Hoon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Sun Uhm
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Boyoung Joung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Moon-Hyoung Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hui-Nam Pak
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
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Della Rocca DG, Tarantino N, Trivedi C, Mohanty S, Anannab A, Salwan AS, Gianni C, Bassiouny M, Al‐Ahmad A, Romero J, Briceño DF, Burkhardt JD, Gallinghouse GJ, Horton RP, Di Biase L, Natale A. Non‐pulmonary vein triggers in nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation: Implications of pathophysiology for catheter ablation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2020; 31:2154-2167. [DOI: 10.1111/jce.14638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Tarantino
- Arrhythmia Services, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronx New York
| | - Chintan Trivedi
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
| | | | - Alisara Anannab
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
- Department of Cardiovascular InterventionCentral Chest Institute of ThailandNonthaburi Thailand
| | - Anu S. Salwan
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
| | - Carola Gianni
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
| | - Mohamed Bassiouny
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
| | - Amin Al‐Ahmad
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
| | - Jorge Romero
- Arrhythmia Services, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronx New York
| | - David F. Briceño
- Arrhythmia Services, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronx New York
| | - J. David Burkhardt
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
| | | | - Rodney P. Horton
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
| | - Luigi Di Biase
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
- Arrhythmia Services, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronx New York
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineUniversity of FoggiaFoggia Italy
| | - Andrea Natale
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia InstituteSt. David's Medical CenterAustin Texas
- Interventional ElectrophysiologyScripps ClinicLa Jolla California
- Department of Cardiology, MetroHealth Medical CenterCase Western Reserve University School of MedicineCleveland Ohio
- Division of CardiologyStanford UniversityStanford California
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