Long-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation: A single-center experience

2024 European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Rhythm Society/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society/Latin American Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation

In the last three decades, ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an evidence-based safe and efficacious treatment for managing the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In 2007, the first joint expert consensus document was issued, guiding healthcare professionals involved in catheter or surgical AF ablation. Mounting research evidence and technological advances have resulted in a rapidly changing landscape in the field of catheter and surgical AF ablation, thus stressing the need for regularly updated versions of this partnership which were issued in 2012 and 2017. Seven years after the last consensus, an updated document was considered necessary to define a contemporary framework for selection and management of patients considered for or undergoing catheter or surgical AF ablation. This consensus is a joint effort from collaborating cardiac electrophysiology societies, namely the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Heart Rhythm Society, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society.

2024 European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Rhythm Society/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society/Latin American Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation

In the last three decades, ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an evidence-based safe and efficacious treatment for managing the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In 2007, the first joint expert consensus document was issued, guiding healthcare professionals involved in catheter or surgical AF ablation. Mounting research evidence and technological advances have resulted in a rapidly changing landscape in the field of catheter and surgical AF ablation, thus stressing the need for regularly updated versions of this partnership which were issued in 2012 and 2017. Seven years after the last consensus, an updated document was considered necessary to define a contemporary framework for selection and management of patients considered for or undergoing catheter or surgical AF ablation. This consensus is a joint effort from collaborating cardiac electrophysiology societies, namely the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asia Pacific HRS, and the Latin American HRS.

Comparison of short-term efficacy of two bipolar radiofrequency ablation forceps for rheumatic heart disease concomitant with atrial fibrillation

Background

Currently, the bipolar radiofrequency ablation forceps manufactured by AtriCure are the main instrument for surgical ablation in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) concomitant with atrial fibrillation (AF). The bipolar radiofrequency ablation forceps by Med-Zenith has a greater advantage in price compared with AtriCure. However, few studies have been reported on the comparison of their clinical efficacy. The aim of this study is to compare the short-term clinical efficacy of the two ablation forceps for RHD concomitant with AF.

Methods

Clinical data of 167 patients with RHD concomitant with AF admitted to the Department of Cardiac Major Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, were retrospectively analyzed, and the restoration efficacy of sinus rhythm (SR) and cardiac function after surgery were compared with two ablation forceps.

Results

The end-systolic diameter of the right atrium and the end-systolic diameter of the left atrium in the patients of both groups at each postoperative time point decreased compared with that of the preoperative period (P < 0.05), and the left ventricular ejection fraction started to improve significantly at 6 months after surgery compared with that of the preoperative period (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups of patients in the comparison of the aforementioned indicators at different points in time (P > 0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, the SR maintenance rate in using the ablation forceps by Med-Zenith (73.3%) was lower than that for AtriCure (86.4%) and the cumulative recurrence rate of AF in using the Med-Zenith ablation forceps was greater than that for AtriCure.

Conclusions

The two bipolar radiofrequency ablation forceps compared in the study are safe and effective in treating patients of RHD concomitant with AF, and the ablation forceps by AtriCure may be more effective in restoring SR in the short term.

2024 European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Rhythm Society/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society/Latin American Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation

In the last three decades, ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an evidence-based safe and efficacious treatment for managing the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In 2007, the first joint expert consensus document was issued, guiding healthcare professionals involved in catheter or surgical AF ablation. Mounting research evidence and technological advances have resulted in a rapidly changing landscape in the field of catheter and surgical AF ablation, thus stressing the need for regularly updated versions of this partnership which were issued in 2012 and 2017. Seven years after the last consensus, an updated document was considered necessary to define a contemporary framework for selection and management of patients considered for or undergoing catheter or surgical AF ablation. This consensus is a joint effort from collaborating cardiac electrophysiology societies, namely the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Heart Rhythm Society, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society .

Thoracoscopic ablation delays progression from paroxysmal to persistent atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to determine whether mini-invasive transthoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation can delay the progression of atrial fibrillation from paroxysmal to persistent.

METHODS

Patients aged 18 to 80 years with paroxysmal nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or systemic thromboembolism were consecutively enrolled from September 2014 to June 2019. In the treatment group, patients underwent transthoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation plus left atrial appendage excision (atrial fibrillation ablation plus left atrial appendage excision group). Patients unwilling to receive surgical intervention were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs and oral anticoagulants and recruited as a control group (atrial fibrillation plus antiarrhythmic drugs group). The primary end point was the progression of atrial fibrillation from paroxysmal to persistent.

RESULTS

This study included 49 patients in the atrial fibrillation plus antiarrhythmic drugs group (29 men) and 77 patients in the atrial fibrillation ablation plus left atrial appendage excision group (48 men). In the atrial fibrillation ablation plus left atrial appendage excision group, after a median follow-up of 951 days (interquartile range, 529-1366 days), 8 patients (10.4%) progressed to persistent atrial fibrillation. In the atrial fibrillation plus antiarrhythmic drugs group, after a median follow-up of 835 days (interquartile range, 548-1214 days), 14 patients (28.6%) progressed to persistent atrial fibrillation. The atrial fibrillation ablation plus left atrial appendage excision group had a significantly lower incidence of atrial fibrillation progression than the atrial fibrillation plus antiarrhythmic drugs group during follow-up (3.9 vs 12.3 per 100 person-years, log-rank 8.6, P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with paroxysmal nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who chose to undergo transthoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation had a lower incidence of progression to persistent atrial fibrillation than patients who chose conservative therapy. This strategy might be especially suitable for patients with paroxysmal nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at high risk of stroke and high risk of bleeding.

Five-year follow-up report: Box lesion radiofrequency ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation under video-assisted thoracoscope

We report the initial 5-year follow-up of a novel mini-invasive procedure for epicardial ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The initial 5-year survival rate is acceptable and comparable with that of hybrid ablation. And this shared procedure has the advantages of shorter operation time and less surgical trauma.

Efficacy of the stand-alone Cox-Maze IV procedure in patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, and results in significant morbidity and mortality. The Cox-Maze IV procedure (CMP-IV) has been shown to have excellent efficacy in returning patients to sinus rhythm, but there have been few reports of late follow-up in sizable cohorts of patients with longstanding persistent AF, the most difficult type of AF to treat.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between May 2003 and March 2020, 174 consecutive patients underwent a stand-alone CMP-IV for longstanding persistent AF. Rhythm outcome was assessed postoperatively for up to 10 years, primarily via prolonged monitoring (Holter monitor, pacemaker interrogation, or implantable loop recorder). Fine-Gray regression was used to investigate factors associated with atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) recurrence, with death as a competing risk. Median duration of preoperative AF was 7.8 years (interquartile range: 4.0-12.0 years), with 71% (124/174) having failed at least one prior catheter-based ablation. There were no 30-day mortalities. Freedom from ATAs was 94% (120/128), 83% (53/64), and 88% (35/40) at 1, 5, and 7 years, respectively. On regression analysis, preoperative AF duration and early postoperative ATAs were associated with late ATAs recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Despite the majority of patients having a long-duration of preoperative AF and having failed at least one catheter-based ablation, the stand-alone CMP-IV had excellent late efficacy in patients with longstanding persistent AF, with low morbidity and no mortality. We recommend consideration of stand-alone CMP-IV for patients with longstanding persistent AF who have failed or are poor candidates for catheter ablation.

Total thoracoscopic ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and left ventricular dysfunction

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of totally thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy.

Methods

Between January 2012 and December 2018, 31 patients underwent TTA with drug-refractory AF and preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% were included. Of the 31 patients, 8 received additional catheter ablation with an electrophysiologic study within 3 months after TTA. The rhythm outcome was obtained by 12-lead electrocardiography or 24-hour Holter monitoring.

Results

The patient cohort had a mean age of 54.9 ± 9.0 years and consisted of 51.6% with persistent AF (n = 16), 45.2% with long-standing persistent AF (n = 14), and 3.2% with paroxysmal AF (n = 1). No patients died during the follow-up period. Compared with baseline, mean postoperative LVEF at 3 months (interquartile range [IQR], 2-6 months) increased significantly (from 39.7 ± 6.1% to 53.6 ± 9.3%; P < .001). At 25 months (IQR, 14-45 months), LVEF was sustained or further improved (from 39.7 ± 6.1% to 58.1 ± 7.5%; P < .001). The rate of sinus rhythm state was 93.5% (29 of 31), and freedom from arrhythmias off AADs after the final procedure was 61.3% (19 of 31) at a median follow-up of 32 months (IQR, 24-54 months).

Conclusions

TTA is a safe and effective procedure that improves LV function and restores sinus rhythm in AF patients with LV dysfunction.

Late results after stand-alone surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES

Stand-alone surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation is indicated in patients with refractory atrial fibrillation who have failed medical or catheter-based ablation. Few reports of late outcomes after stand-alone surgical ablation exist using comprehensive follow-up with strict definitions of success. This study examined our late outcomes of the stand-alone Cox-Maze IV procedure.

METHODS

Between January 2003 and December 2019, 236 patients underwent a stand-alone Cox-Maze IV for refractory atrial fibrillation. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias was assessed by electrocardiography, Holter, or pacemaker interrogation for up to 10 years, with a mean follow-up of 4.8 ± 3.5 years. Rhythm outcomes were compared in multiple subgroups. Factors associated with recurrence were determined using Fine-Gray regression, allowing for death as the competing risk.

RESULTS

The majority of patients (176/236, 75%) had nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation. Median duration of preoperative atrial fibrillation was 6.2 years (interquartile range, 3-11). Fifty-nine percent of patients (140/236) failed 1 or more prior catheter-based ablation. Thirteen patients (6%) experienced a major complication. There was no 30-day mortality. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias was 94% (187/199), 89% (81/91), and 77% (24/31) at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. There was no difference in freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias between patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation versus nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (P > .05) or those undergoing sternotomy versus a minimally invasive approach (P > .05). Increased left atrial size and number of catheter ablations were associated with late atrial fibrillation recurrence. For patients who experienced any atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence, the median number of recurrences was 1.5 (1.0-3.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The stand-alone Cox-Maze IV had excellent late efficacy at maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with symptomatic, refractory atrial fibrillation, with low morbidity and no mortality. The Cox-Maze IV, in contrast to catheter-based ablation, was equally effective in patients with paroxysmal and nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Subxiphoid Hybrid Epicardial-Endocardial Atrial Fibrillation Ablation and LAA Ligation: Initial Sub-X Hybrid MAZE Registry Results

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a new subxiphoid hybrid epicardial-endocardial atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation approach for the treatment of persistent AF.

BACKGROUND

Surgical hybrid ablation procedures have shown promise for maintaining sinus rhythm versus catheter ablation but are associated with increased periprocedural adverse events.

METHODS

Patients with symptomatic persistent AF (n = 33, mean age 64 ± 9 years, 25 men) who had antiarrhythmic drug therapy or prior catheter ablation was unsuccessful were referred for hybrid epicardial-endocardial AF ablation and LAA exclusion. LAA closure was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiographic Doppler flow and/or computed tomographic angiography 1 to 3 months post-ligation. The incidence of atrial tachycardia or AF recurrence, LAA closure, thromboembolic events, and post-operative complications were assessed.

RESULTS

All 33 patients underwent successful LAA ligation with epicardial ablation of the posterior left atrial wall, as well as endocardial pulmonary vein isolation and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation. Freedom from atrial tachycardia or AF was 91% (20 of 22 patients) at 6 months, 90% (18 of 20 patients) at 12 months, 92% (11 of 12 patients) at 18 months, and 92% (11 of 12) at 24 months. There were no acute periprocedural complications (<7 days). Thirty-day adverse events included 2 patients with pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis and 1 incisional hernia repair. There were no long-term complications, strokes, or deaths. LAA ligation was complete in 27 of 33 subjects (82%), with 6 subjects having leaks of <5 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Subxiphoid hybrid epicardial-endocardial ablation with LAA ligation is feasible, safe, and effective. Future prospective studies are needed to validate these initial findings.

The convergent procedure: a hybrid approach for long lasting persistent atrial fibrillation ablation

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risk of stroke, heart failure and all-cause mortality. The Cox-Maze procedure is the most effective approach to ablate persistent AF but presents a significant morbidity and mortality. Additionally, the classical endocardial ablation approach has limited efficacy to treat long lasting persistent AF. We described a new, minimally invasive hybrid approach, combining an endocardial and epicardial ablation named convergent procedure to treat long lasting persistent AF patients.

METHODS

We studied 55 consecutive patients with long lasting persistent AF who underwent the convergent procedure in 2 French centers between 2010 and 2015. All patients had at least one previous failed endocardial ablation and were highly symptomatic. Patients with a history of thoracic surgery were excluded. A 24 hour-Holter ECG was performed systematically at 3, 6 and 12 months after the convergent procedure. All patients reached 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

No death, stroke, phrenic nerve palsy or tamponade occurred immediately after the procedure. Post-surgery average length of stay was 8±4 days. Later, 3 patients (5%) developed diaphragmatic hernia resulting in a modified surgery technique. At 12 months, 76% of patients were in sinus rhythm after an average of 1.43 ablation procedure. Finally, 91% of patients were maintained on antiarrhythmic drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic hybrid epicardial-endocardial ablation technique proved to be effective and safe to treat long lasting persistent AF patients with previous failed endocardial AF ablation.

"AF HeartTeam" Guided Indication for Stand-alone Thoracoscopic Left Atrial Ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Closure

Background

Traditional surgical treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is performed via sternotomy and on cardiopulmonary bypass. It is very effective in regard to rhythm control, but remains unpopular due to its invasiveness. Truly endoscopic AF treatments have decreased the threshold for electrophysiologists (and cardiologists) to refer, and the reluctance of patients to accept a standalone surgical approach. Practice guidelines from around the world have recognized this as an acceptable therapeutic approach. Current guidelines recommend the HeartTeam approach in treating these complex AF cases. In this study we report our experience with AF HeartTeam approach for surgical stand-alone AF ablation.

Methods

The AF HeartTeam Program began in 2013, patients qualified for inclusion if either of the following was present: failed catheter ablation and/or medication, not suitable for catheter ablation, contraindication to anticoagulation, or patients preferring such an approach. All patients with a complex AF history were assessed by the AF HeartTeam, from which 42 patients were deemed suitable for a totally endoscopic AF procedure (epicardial ablation and LAA closure). Endpoints were intraoperative bidirectional block of the pulmonary veins and closure of left atrial appendage confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Post discharge rhythm follow-up was performed after 3 and 12, 24 and 36 months. Anticoagulation was discontinued 6 weeks after the procedure in patients after documented LAA closure.

Results

In total 42 patients underwent the endoscopic procedure (Median CHA2DS2-VASC=3 (1-6), HAS-BLED=2 (1-6)) for paroxysmal (15/42) and non-paroxysmal AF (27/42) respectively. Bidirectional block was obtained in all patients and complete LAA closure was obtained in all but one Patient on TEE (41/42). In one patient the LAA was not addressed due to extensive adhesions. Two patients underwent median sternotomy because of bleeding during the endoscopic surgery early in the series. There were no deaths. Procedure duration was a median of 124min (Range 83-211) and duration of hospitalization was median of 5 days (Range 3-12). During 36 months follow-up survival free of mortality, thromboembolic events or strokes was 100%. Twelve month freedom from atrial arrhythmia off anti-arrhythmic medication was 93% and 89% for paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal patients respectively. 6/42 patients who had an AF recurrence during the follow-up underwent touch-up catheter ablation.

Conclusions

Atrial fibrillation heart team approach provides excellent outcomes for patients with AF. This approach is beneficial for patients after failed catheter ablation or not candidates for such and offers a very effective mid-term outcome data. In addition to effective rhythm control the protective effect of epicardial LAA closure may play an important role in effectively reducing stroke. The creation of an AF HeartTeam as recommended by the guidelines insures unbiased therapies and provides access to this minimally invasive but effective therapeutic option for AF patients.

The cessation of oral anticoagulation following left atrial appendage surgery

Atrial fibrillation is associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke, and oral anticoagulation is the mainstay of preventative treatment. Scenarios arise where the risks of treatment with oral anticoagulation may outweigh the benefits, most commonly when there is an elevated risk of bleeding. Studies of percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage have strongly implicated this structure in the etiology of stroke in atrial fibrillation, and provide some rationale for the discontinuation of oral anticoagulation following percutaneous closure device implantation. A common clinical concern is the safety of cessation of oral anticoagulation after surgical closure of the left atrial appendage in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation. Here, we review the evidence guiding this management decision and draw comparison with data on percutaneous closure.