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Tzeis S, Gerstenfeld EP, Kalman J, Saad E, Shamloo AS, Andrade JG, Barbhaiya CR, Baykaner T, Boveda S, Calkins H, Chan NY, Chen M, Chen SA, Dagres N, Damiano RJ, De Potter T, Deisenhofer I, Derval N, Di Biase L, Duytschaever M, Dyrda K, Hindricks G, Hocini M, Kim YH, la Meir M, Merino JL, Michaud GF, Natale A, Nault I, Nava S, Nitta T, O'Neill M, Pak HN, Piccini JP, Pürerfellner H, Reichlin T, Saenz LC, Sanders P, Schilling R, Schmidt B, Supple GE, Thomas KL, Tondo C, Verma A, Wan EY. 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. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2024; 67:921-1072. [PMID: 38609733 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-024-01771-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward P Gerstenfeld
- Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Kalman
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne and Baker Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eduardo Saad
- Electrophysiology and Pacing, Hospital Samaritano Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Jason G Andrade
- Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Tina Baykaner
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Serge Boveda
- Heart Rhythm Management Department, Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse, France
- Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hugh Calkins
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ngai-Yin Chan
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Minglong Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shih-Ann Chen
- Heart Rhythm Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nikolaos Dagres
- Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Charité University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralph J Damiano
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Isabel Deisenhofer
- Department of Electrophysiology, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM) School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicolas Derval
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Stimulation Department, Fondation Bordeaux Université and Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU), Pessac-Bordeaux, France
| | - Luigi Di Biase
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Katia Dyrda
- Department of Cardiology, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Gerhard Hindricks
- Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Charité University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Meleze Hocini
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Stimulation Department, Fondation Bordeaux Université and Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU), Pessac-Bordeaux, France
| | - Young-Hoon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mark la Meir
- Cardiac Surgery Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel-Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jose Luis Merino
- La Paz University Hospital, Idipaz, Universidad Autonoma, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Viamed Santa Elena, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gregory F Michaud
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea Natale
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Interventional Electrophysiology, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Cardiology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabelle Nault
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec (IUCPQ), Quebec, Canada
| | - Santiago Nava
- Departamento de Electrocardiología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología 'Ignacio Chávez', Ciudad de México, México
| | - Takashi Nitta
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mark O'Neill
- Cardiovascular Directorate, St. Thomas' Hospital and King's College, London, UK
| | - Hui-Nam Pak
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Tobias Reichlin
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis Carlos Saenz
- International Arrhythmia Center, Cardioinfantil Foundation, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Boris Schmidt
- Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien, Medizinische Klinik III, Agaplesion Markuskrankenhaus, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gregory E Supple
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Claudio Tondo
- Department of Clinical Electrophysiology and Cardiac Pacing, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Atul Verma
- McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elaine Y Wan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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2
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Khanra D, Mukherjee A, Gupta A, Rauf AM, Duggal B, Ensam B, Kalla M, DeBono J, Lencioni M, Marshall H. Clinical utility of oesophageal temperature monitoring in AF ablation: An updated meta-analysis and review of literature. Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J 2024; 24:183-188. [PMID: 38782185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ipej.2024.05.007] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can lead to oesophageal thermal injuries (ETI). These are thought to be the precursor of the much rarer but frequently fatal atrio-oesophageal fistulas. Many centers performing AF ablation routinely use oesophageal temperature monitoring (ETM). This meta-analysis aims to determine the utility of ETM in preventing ETI in the context of radiofrequency catheter ablation of AF. METHODS A systematic search of PubMed, Embase databases and Cochrane registry was performed comparing ETI between ETM and non-ETM strategies in AF ablation. Data on endoscopically determined ETI, AF recurrence, procedure time and ablation time were extracted. Statistical analyses including subgroup and covariate analyses were performed using random effect model in R platform. RESULTS ETI were similar in both ETM (n = 864) and non- ETM groups (n = 639) (RR 1.04, 95 % CI 0.34-3.23) across 12 studies. AF recurrence was statistically similar in both groups (IRR 0.92, 95 % CI 0.73-1.17) but showed a lower trend in non-ETM group. Ablation time was numerically lower in the ETM group and procedure time was numerically higher trend in the ETM group; but they were not statistically significant. Covariate analysis found that posterior wall ablation power setting, additional linear ablation, BMI, use of GA or prophylactic PPI after ablation had no significant correlation in the incidence of ETI. CONCLUSION ETM was not associated with a reduced incidence of ETI during AF ablation. Evidence supporting the routine use of ETM to reduce the risk of ETI or atrio-oesophageal fistulas is lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibbendhu Khanra
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom.
| | - Anindya Mukherjee
- Bristol Heart Institute, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust, United Kingdom
| | | | - Atif Muhammad Rauf
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Bhanu Duggal
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India
| | - Bode Ensam
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Manish Kalla
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph DeBono
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mauro Lencioni
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Howard Marshall
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom
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3
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Omotoye S, Singleton MJ, Zagrodzky J, Clark B, Sharma D, Metzl MD, Gallagher MM, Meininghaus DG, Leung L, Garg J, Warrier N, Panico A, Tamirisa K, Sanchez J, Mickelsen S, Sardana M, Shah D, Athill C, Hayat J, Silva R, Clark AT, Gray M, Levi B, Kulstad E, Girouard S, Zagrodzky W, Montoya MM, Bustamante TG, Berjano E, González-Suárez A, Daniels J. Mechanisms of action behind the protective effects of proactive esophageal cooling during radiofrequency catheter ablation in the left atrium. Heart Rhythm O2 2024; 5:403-416. [PMID: 38984358 PMCID: PMC11228283 DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Proactive esophageal cooling for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of ablation-related esophageal injury resulting from radiofrequency (RF) cardiac ablation procedures is increasingly being used and has been Food and Drug Administration cleared as a protective strategy during left atrial RF ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In this review, we examine the evidence supporting the use of proactive esophageal cooling and the potential mechanisms of action that reduce the likelihood of atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) formation. Although the pathophysiology behind AEF formation after thermal injury from RF ablation is not well studied, a robust literature on fistula formation in other conditions (eg, Crohn disease, cancer, and trauma) exists and the relationship to AEF formation is investigated in this review. Likewise, we examine the abundant data in the surgical literature on burn and thermal injury progression as well as the acute and chronic mitigating effects of cooling. We discuss the relationship of these data and maladaptive healing mechanisms to the well-recognized postablation pathophysiological effects after RF ablation. Finally, we review additional important considerations such as patient selection, clinical workflow, and implementation strategies for proactive esophageal cooling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jason Zagrodzky
- St. David’s Medical Center, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Austin, Texas
| | | | | | - Mark D. Metzl
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Mark M. Gallagher
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lisa Leung
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jalaj Garg
- Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California
| | - Nikhil Warrier
- MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute, Fountain Valley, California
| | | | - Kamala Tamirisa
- Cardiac Electrophysiology, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Dallas, Texas
| | - Javier Sanchez
- Cardiac Electrophysiology, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Dallas, Texas
| | | | | | - Dipak Shah
- Ascension Providence Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | - Jamal Hayat
- Department of Gastroenterology, St George’s University Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rogelio Silva
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Advocate Aurora Christ Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Audra T. Clark
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Benjamin Levi
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Erik Kulstad
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | | | | | | | - Enrique Berjano
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana González-Suárez
- Translational Medical Device Lab, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Valencian International University, Valencia, Spain
| | - James Daniels
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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4
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Kistler PM, Sanders P, Amarena JV, Bain CR, Chia KM, Choo WK, Eslick AT, Hall T, Hopper IK, Kotschet E, Lim HS, Ling LH, Mahajan R, Marasco SF, McGuire MA, McLellan AJ, Pathak RK, Phillips KP, Prabhu S, Stiles MK, Sy RW, Thomas SP, Toy T, Watts TW, Weerasooriya R, Wilsmore BR, Wilson L, Kalman JM. 2023 Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Expert Position Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. Heart Lung Circ 2024; 33:828-881. [PMID: 38702234 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has increased exponentially in many developed countries, including Australia and New Zealand. This Expert Position Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) recognises healthcare factors, expertise and expenditure relevant to the Australian and New Zealand healthcare environments including considerations of potential implications for First Nations Peoples. The statement is cognisant of international advice but tailored to local conditions and populations, and is intended to be used by electrophysiologists, cardiologists and general physicians across all disciplines caring for patients with AF. They are also intended to provide guidance to healthcare facilities seeking to establish or maintain catheter ablation for AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Kistler
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; The Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
| | - Prash Sanders
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Chris R Bain
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Karin M Chia
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wai-Kah Choo
- Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia; Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Adam T Eslick
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Ingrid K Hopper
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Emily Kotschet
- Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Health, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Han S Lim
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Austin Health, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Northern Health, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Liang-Han Ling
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; The Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Rajiv Mahajan
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Lyell McEwin Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Silvana F Marasco
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | | | - Alex J McLellan
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Rajeev K Pathak
- Australian National University and Canberra Heart Rhythm, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Karen P Phillips
- Brisbane AF Clinic, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Sandeep Prabhu
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; The Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Martin K Stiles
- Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Raymond W Sy
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart P Thomas
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tracey Toy
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Troy W Watts
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Rukshen Weerasooriya
- Hollywood Private Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia; University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | | | - Jonathan M Kalman
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
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5
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Wolff C, Langenhan K, Wolff M, Efimova E, Zachäus M, Darma A, Dinov B, Seewöster T, Nedios S, Bertagnolli L, Wolff J, Paetsch I, Jahnke C, Bollmann A, Hindricks G, Bode K, Halm U, Arya A. Incidence and predictors of thermal oesophageal and vagus nerve injuries in Ablation Index-guided high-power-short-duration ablation of atrial fibrillation: a prospective study. Europace 2024; 26:euae107. [PMID: 38646922 PMCID: PMC11068270 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS High-power-short-duration (HPSD) ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation but poses risks of thermal injuries to the oesophagus and vagus nerve. This study aims to investigate incidence and predictors of thermal injuries, employing machine learning. METHODS AND RESULTS A prospective observational study was conducted at Leipzig Heart Centre, Germany, excluding patients with multiple prior ablations. All patients received Ablation Index-guided HPSD ablation and subsequent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. A machine learning algorithm categorized ablation points by atrial location and analysed ablation data, including Ablation Index, focusing on the posterior wall. The study is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05709756). Between February 2021 and August 2023, 238 patients were enrolled, of whom 18 (7.6%; nine oesophagus, eight vagus nerve, one both) developed thermal injuries, including eight oesophageal erythemata, two ulcers, and no fistula. Higher mean force (15.8 ± 3.9 g vs. 13.6 ± 3.9 g, P = 0.022), ablation point quantity (61.50 ± 20.45 vs. 48.16 ± 19.60, P = 0.007), and total and maximum Ablation Index (24 114 ± 8765 vs. 18 894 ± 7863, P = 0.008; 499 ± 95 vs. 473 ± 44, P = 0.04, respectively) at the posterior wall, but not oesophagus location, correlated significantly with thermal injury occurrence. Patients with thermal injuries had significantly lower distances between left atrium and oesophagus (3.0 ± 1.5 mm vs. 4.4 ± 2.1 mm, P = 0.012) and smaller atrial surface areas (24.9 ± 6.5 cm2 vs. 29.5 ± 7.5 cm2, P = 0.032). CONCLUSION The low thermal lesion's rate (7.6%) during Ablation Index-guided HPSD ablation for atrial fibrillation is noteworthy. Machine learning based ablation data analysis identified several potential predictors of thermal injuries. The correlation between machine learning output and injury development suggests the potential for a clinical tool to enhance procedural safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Wolff
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina Langenhan
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marc Wolff
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elena Efimova
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Zachäus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Helios Park Clinic, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Angeliki Darma
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Borislav Dinov
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Timm Seewöster
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sotirios Nedios
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Jan Wolff
- Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics of TU Braunschweig and Hannover Medical School, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ingo Paetsch
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cosima Jahnke
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Bollmann
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hindricks
- Department of Electrophysiology, German Heart Centre, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Bode
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Centre, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Halm
- Department of Gastroenterology, Helios Park Clinic, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arash Arya
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Halle, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Salihu A, Lu H, Maurizi N, Tzimas G, Herrera Siklody C, Le Bloa M, Domenichini G, Teres C, Hugelshofer S, Monney P, Pruvot E, Muller O, Antiochos P, Pascale P. Prevention of esophageal lesions during atrial fibrillation catheter ablation using esophageal temperature monitoring: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 47:614-625. [PMID: 38558218 DOI: 10.1111/pace.14972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of esophageal temperature monitoring (ETM) for the prevention of esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is often advocated. However, evidence supporting its use is scarce and controversial. We therefore aimed to review the evidence assessing the efficacy of ETM for the prevention of esophageal injury. METHODS We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of the available literature from inception to December 31, 2022. All studies comparing the use of ETM, versus no ETM, during radiofrequency (RF) AF ablation and which reported the incidence of endoscopically detected esophageal lesions (EDELs) were included. RESULTS Eleven studies with a total of 1112 patients undergoing RF AF ablation were identified. Of those patients, 627 were assigned to ETM (56%). The overall incidence of EDELs was 9.8%. The use of ETM during AF ablation was associated with a non significant increase in the incidence of EDELs (12.3% with ETM, vs. 6.6 % without ETM, odds ratio, 1.44, 95%CI, 0.49, 4.22, p = .51, I2 = 72%). The use of ETM was associated with a significant increase in the energy delivered specifically on the posterior wall compared to patients without ETM (mean power difference: 5.13 Watts, 95% CI, 1.52, 8.74, p = .005). CONCLUSIONS The use of ETM does not reduce the incidence of EDELs during RF AF ablation. The higher energy delivered on the posterior wall is likely attributable to a false sense of safety that may explain the lack of benefit of ETM. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to provide conclusive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Salihu
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Henri Lu
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Niccolo Maurizi
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Georgios Tzimas
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Herrera Siklody
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Le Bloa
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Domenichini
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cheryl Teres
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Hugelshofer
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Monney
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Etienne Pruvot
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Muller
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Panagiotis Antiochos
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrizio Pascale
- Service of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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7
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Lazarus C, Sherman J, Putzel N, Zagrodzky W, Sharkoski T, Ro A, Nazari J, Fisher W, Kulstad E, Metzl M. Reduced Continuity Index with Proactive Esophageal Cooling Compared to Luminal Temperature Monitoring During Radiofrequency Ablation: Improved Lesion Continuity with Esophageal Cooling. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.09.24305586. [PMID: 38645228 PMCID: PMC11030476 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.09.24305586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Background Proactive esophageal cooling is FDA cleared to reduce the likelihood of esophageal injury during radiofrequency ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Long-term follow-up data have also shown improved freedom from arrhythmia with proactive esophageal cooling compared to luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). One hypothesized mechanism is improved lesion contiguity (as measured by the Continuity Index) with the use of cooling. We aimed to compare the Continuity Index of PVI cases using proactive esophageal cooling to those using LET monitoring. Methods Continuity Index was calculated for PVI cases at two different hospitals within the same health system using a slightly modified Continuity Index to facilitate both real-time calculation during observation of PVI cases and retrospective determination from recorded cases. The results were then compared between proactively cooled cases and those using LET monitoring. Results Continuity Indices for a total of 101 cases were obtained; 77 cases using proactive esophageal cooling and 24 cases using traditional LET monitoring. With proactive esophageal cooling, the average Continuity Index was 2.7 (1.3 on the left pulmonary vein, and 1.5 on the right pulmonary vein). With LET monitoring, the average Continuity Index was 27.3 (14.3 on the left, and 12.9 on the right), for a difference of 24.6 (p < 0.001). Conclusion Proactive esophageal cooling during PVI is associated with significantly improved lesion contiguity when compared to LET monitoring. This finding may offer a mechanism for the greater freedom from arrhythmia seen with proactive cooling in long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob Sherman
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | | | - Alex Ro
- NorthShore University Hospital, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jose Nazari
- NorthShore University Hospital, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | - Erik Kulstad
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mark Metzl
- NorthShore University Hospital, Evanston, IL, USA
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8
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Tzeis S, Gerstenfeld EP, Kalman J, Saad EB, Shamloo AS, Andrade JG, Barbhaiya CR, Baykaner T, Boveda S, Calkins H, Chan NY, Chen M, Chen SA, Dagres N, Damiano RJ, De Potter T, Deisenhofer I, Derval N, Di Biase L, Duytschaever M, Dyrda K, Hindricks G, Hocini M, Kim YH, la Meir M, Merino JL, Michaud GF, Natale A, Nault I, Nava S, Nitta T, O'Neill M, Pak HN, Piccini JP, Pürerfellner H, Reichlin T, Saenz LC, Sanders P, Schilling R, Schmidt B, Supple GE, Thomas KL, Tondo C, Verma A, Wan EY. 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. Heart Rhythm 2024:S1547-5271(24)00261-3. [PMID: 38597857 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos Tzeis
- Department of Cardiology, Mitera Hospital, 6, Erythrou Stavrou Str., Marousi, Athens, PC 151 23, Greece.
| | - Edward P Gerstenfeld
- Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Kalman
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne and Baker Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eduardo B Saad
- Electrophysiology and Pacing, Hospital Samaritano Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Jason G Andrade
- Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Tina Baykaner
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Serge Boveda
- Heart Rhythm Management Department, Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse, France; Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hugh Calkins
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ngai-Yin Chan
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Minglong Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shih-Ann Chen
- Heart Rhythm Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, and Cardiovascular Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Ralph J Damiano
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Isabel Deisenhofer
- Department of Electrophysiology, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM) School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicolas Derval
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Stimulation Department, Fondation Bordeaux Université and Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU), Pessac-Bordeaux, France
| | - Luigi Di Biase
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Katia Dyrda
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Meleze Hocini
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Stimulation Department, Fondation Bordeaux Université and Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU), Pessac-Bordeaux, France
| | - Young-Hoon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mark la Meir
- Cardiac Surgery Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jose Luis Merino
- La Paz University Hospital, Idipaz, Universidad Autonoma, Madrid, Spain; Hospital Viamed Santa Elena, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Andrea Natale
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA; Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Interventional Electrophysiology, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Cardiology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabelle Nault
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec (IUCPQ), Quebec, Canada
| | - Santiago Nava
- Departamento de Electrocardiología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología 'Ignacio Chávez', Ciudad de México, México
| | - Takashi Nitta
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mark O'Neill
- Cardiovascular Directorate, St. Thomas' Hospital and King's College, London, UK
| | - Hui-Nam Pak
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Tobias Reichlin
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis Carlos Saenz
- International Arrhythmia Center, Cardioinfantil Foundation, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Boris Schmidt
- Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien, Medizinische Klinik III, Agaplesion Markuskrankenhaus, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gregory E Supple
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Claudio Tondo
- Department of Clinical Electrophysiology and Cardiac Pacing, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Atul Verma
- McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elaine Y Wan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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9
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Tzeis S, Gerstenfeld EP, Kalman J, Saad EB, Sepehri Shamloo A, Andrade JG, Barbhaiya CR, Baykaner T, Boveda S, Calkins H, Chan NY, Chen M, Chen SA, Dagres N, Damiano RJ, De Potter T, Deisenhofer I, Derval N, Di Biase L, Duytschaever M, Dyrda K, Hindricks G, Hocini M, Kim YH, la Meir M, Merino JL, Michaud GF, Natale A, Nault I, Nava S, Nitta T, O’Neill M, Pak HN, Piccini JP, Pürerfellner H, Reichlin T, Saenz LC, Sanders P, Schilling R, Schmidt B, Supple GE, Thomas KL, Tondo C, Verma A, Wan EY. 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. Europace 2024; 26:euae043. [PMID: 38587017 PMCID: PMC11000153 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
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 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos Tzeis
- Department of Cardiology, Mitera Hospital, 6, Erythrou Stavrou Str., Marousi, Athens, PC 151 23, Greece
| | - Edward P Gerstenfeld
- Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Kalman
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne and Baker Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eduardo B Saad
- Electrophysiology and Pacing, Hospital Samaritano Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Jason G Andrade
- Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Tina Baykaner
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Serge Boveda
- Heart Rhythm Management Department, Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse, France
- Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hugh Calkins
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ngai-Yin Chan
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Minglong Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shih-Ann Chen
- Heart Rhythm Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, and Cardiovascular Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Ralph J Damiano
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Isabel Deisenhofer
- Department of Electrophysiology, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM) School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicolas Derval
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Stimulation Department, Fondation Bordeaux Université and Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU), Pessac-Bordeaux, France
| | - Luigi Di Biase
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Katia Dyrda
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Meleze Hocini
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Stimulation Department, Fondation Bordeaux Université and Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU), Pessac-Bordeaux, France
| | - Young-Hoon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mark la Meir
- Cardiac Surgery Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jose Luis Merino
- La Paz University Hospital, Idipaz, Universidad Autonoma, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Viamed Santa Elena, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Andrea Natale
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David’s Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Interventional Electrophysiology, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Cardiology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabelle Nault
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec (IUCPQ), Quebec, Canada
| | - Santiago Nava
- Departamento de Electrocardiología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología ‘Ignacio Chávez’, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Takashi Nitta
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mark O’Neill
- Cardiovascular Directorate, St. Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College, London, UK
| | - Hui-Nam Pak
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Tobias Reichlin
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis Carlos Saenz
- International Arrhythmia Center, Cardioinfantil Foundation, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Boris Schmidt
- Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien, Medizinische Klinik III, Agaplesion Markuskrankenhaus, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gregory E Supple
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Claudio Tondo
- Department of Clinical Electrophysiology and Cardiac Pacing, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Atul Verma
- McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elaine Y Wan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Sanchez J, Woods C, Zagrodzky J, Nazari J, Singleton MJ, Schricker A, Ruppert A, Brumback B, Jenny B, Athill C, Joseph C, Shah D, Upadhyay G, Kulstad E, Cogan J, Leyton-Mange J, Cooper J, Tamirisa K, Omotoye S, Timilsina S, Perez-Verdia A, Kaplan A, Patel A, Ro A, Corsello A, Kolli A, Greet B, Willms D, Burkland D, Castillo D, Zahwe F, Nayak H, Daniels J, MacGregor J, Sackett M, Kutayli WM, Barakat M, Percell R, Akrivakis S, Hao SC, Liu T, Panico A, Ramireddy A, Dewland T, Gerstenfeld EP, Lanes DB, Sze E, Francisco G, Silva J, McHugh J, Sung K, Feldman L, Serafini N, Kawasaki R, Hongo R, Kuk R, Hayward R, Park S, Vu A, Henry C, Bailey S, Mickelsen S, Taneja T, Fisher W, Metzl M. Atrioesophageal Fistula Rates Before and After Adoption of Active Esophageal Cooling During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023; 9:2558-2570. [PMID: 37737773 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active esophageal cooling reduces the incidence of endoscopically identified severe esophageal lesions during radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of the left atrium for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. A formal analysis of the atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) rate with active esophageal cooling has not previously been performed. OBJECTIVES The authors aimed to compare AEF rates before and after the adoption of active esophageal cooling. METHODS This institutional review board (IRB)-approved study was a prospective analysis of retrospective data, designed before collecting and analyzing the real-world data. The number of AEFs occurring in equivalent time frames before and after adoption of cooling using a dedicated esophageal cooling device (ensoETM, Attune Medical) were quantified across 25 prespecified hospital systems. AEF rates were then compared using generalized estimating equations robust to cluster correlation. RESULTS A total of 14,224 patients received active esophageal cooling during RF ablation across the 25 hospital systems, which included a total of 30 separate hospitals. In the time frames before adoption of active cooling, a total of 10,962 patients received primarily luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring during their RF ablations. In the preadoption cohort, a total of 16 AEFs occurred, for an AEF rate of 0.146%, in line with other published estimates for procedures using LET monitoring. In the postadoption cohort, no AEFs were found in the prespecified sites, yielding an AEF rate of 0% (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Adoption of active esophageal cooling during RF ablation of the left atrium for the treatment of atrial fibrillation was associated with a significant reduction in AEF rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jose Nazari
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Amir Schricker
- Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, Burlingame, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dipak Shah
- Ascension Michigan, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Erik Kulstad
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
| | - John Cogan
- Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, Florida, USA
| | | | - Julie Cooper
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Apoor Patel
- Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alex Ro
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | - Brian Greet
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Danya Willms
- Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Hemal Nayak
- University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - James Daniels
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Matthew Sackett
- Centra Heart and Vascular Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Steven C Hao
- Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Taylor Liu
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Santa Clara, California, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas Dewland
- University of California-San Fransisco, San Fransico, California, USA
| | | | | | - Edward Sze
- MaineHealth Cardiology, Portland, Maine, USA
| | | | - Jose Silva
- Centra Heart and Vascular Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Julia McHugh
- Centra Heart and Vascular Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Kai Sung
- Tri-City Cardiology, Mesa, Arizona, USA
| | - Leon Feldman
- Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, USA
| | | | - Raymond Kawasaki
- Northwest Community Healthcare, Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA
| | - Richard Hongo
- California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Richard Kuk
- Centra Heart and Vascular Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Robert Hayward
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Santa Clara, California, USA
| | - Shirley Park
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Santa Clara, California, USA
| | - Andrew Vu
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Santa Clara, California, USA
| | | | - Shane Bailey
- LoneStar Heart and Vascular, New Braunfels, Texas, USA
| | | | - Taresh Taneja
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Santa Clara, California, USA
| | - Westby Fisher
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Mark Metzl
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois, USA
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11
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Joseph C, Nazari J, Zagrodzky J, Brumback B, Sherman J, Zagrodzky W, Bailey S, Kulstad E, Metzl M. Improved 1-year outcomes after active cooling during left atrial radiofrequency ablation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2023; 66:1621-1629. [PMID: 36670327 PMCID: PMC10359433 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-023-01474-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active esophageal cooling during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly being utilized to reduce esophageal injury and atrioesophageal fistula formation. Randomized controlled data also show trends towards increased freedom from AF when using active cooling. This study aimed to compare 1-year arrhythmia recurrence rates between patients treated with luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring versus active esophageal cooling during left atrial ablation. METHOD Data from two healthcare systems (including 3 hospitals and 4 electrophysiologists) were reviewed for patient rhythm status at 1-year follow-up after receiving PVI for the treatment of AF. Results were compared between patients receiving active esophageal cooling (ensoETM, Attune Medical, Chicago, IL) and those treated with traditional LET monitoring using Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS A total of 513 patients were reviewed; 253 received LET monitoring using either single or multi-sensor temperature probes; and 260 received active cooling. The mean age was 66.8 (SD ± 10) years, and 36.8% were female. Arrhythmias were 60.1% paroxysmal AF, 34.3% persistent AF, and 5.6% long-standing persistent AF, with no significant difference between groups. At 1-year follow-up, KM estimates for freedom from AF were 58.2% for LET-monitored patients and 72.2% for actively cooled patients, for an absolute increase in freedom from AF of 14% with active esophageal cooling (p = .03). Adjustment for the confounders of patient age, gender, type of AF, and operator with an inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox proportional hazards model yielded a hazard ratio of 0.6 for the effect of cooling on AF recurrence (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS In this first study to date of the association between esophageal protection strategy and long-term efficacy of left atrial RF ablation, a clinically and statistically significant improvement in freedom from atrial arrhythmia at 1 year was found in patients treated with active esophageal cooling when compared to patients who received LET monitoring. More rigorous prospective studies or randomized studies are required to validate the findings of the current study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose Nazari
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jason Zagrodzky
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's South Austin Medical Center, 901 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX, 78704, USA
| | - Babette Brumback
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health & Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Jacob Sherman
- Washington University in Saint Louis, 1 Brookings Dr, MO, 63130, St. Louis, USA
| | - William Zagrodzky
- Colorado College, 14 E Cache La Poudre St, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, USA
| | - Shane Bailey
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's South Austin Medical Center, 901 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX, 78704, USA
| | - Erik Kulstad
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Mark Metzl
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, USA
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12
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Trohman RG, Huang HD, Sharma PS. Atrial fibrillation: Primary prevention, secondary prevention, and prevention of thromboembolic complications: Part 2. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:1060096. [PMID: 36969508 PMCID: PMC10036779 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1060096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, once thought to be benign as long as the ventricular rate was controlled, is associated with significant cardiac morbidity and mortality. Increasing life expectancy driven by improved health care and decreased fertility rates has, in most of the world, resulted in the population aged ≥65 years growing more rapidly than the overall population. As the population ages, projections suggest that the burden of AF may increase more than 60% by 2050. Although considerable progress has been made in the treatment and management of AF, primary prevention, secondary prevention, and prevention of thromboembolic complications remain a work in progress. This narrative review was facilitated by a search of MEDLINE to identify peer-reviewed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and other clinically relevant studies. The search was limited to English-language reports published between 1950 and 2021. Atrial fibrillation was searched using the terms primary prevention, hyperthyroidism, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, catheter ablation, surgical ablation, hybrid ablation, stroke prevention, anticoagulation, left atrial occlusion and atrial excision. Google and Google scholar as well as bibliographies of identified articles were reviewed for additional references. In these two manuscripts, we discuss the current strategies available to prevent AF, then compare non-invasive and invasive treatment strategies to diminish AF recurrence. In addition, we examine the pharmacological, percutaneous device and surgical approaches to prevent stroke as well as other types of thromboembolic events.
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13
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Grosse Meininghaus D, Freund R, Kleemann T, Geller JC, Matthes H. Pulmonary vein isolation-induced vagal nerve injury and gastric motility disorders detected by electrogastrography: The side effects of pulmonary vein isolation in atrial fibrillation (SEPIA) study. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2023; 34:583-592. [PMID: 36640436 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Safety of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has been established in clinical studies. However, despite prevention efforts the incidence of damage to (peri)-esophageal tissue has not decreased, and the pathophysiology is incompletely understood. Damage to vagal nerve branches may be involved in lesion progression to atrio-esophageal fistula. Using electrogastrography, we assessed the incidence of periesophageal vagal nerve injury (VNI) following atrial fibrillation ablation and its association with procedural parameters and endoscopic results. METHODS Patients were studied using electrogastrography, endoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasound before and after cryoballoon (CB) or radiofrequency (RF) PVI. The incidence of ablation-induced neuropathic pattern (indicating VNI) in pre- and postprocedural electrogastrography was assessed and correlated with endoscopic results and ablation data. RESULTS Between February 2021 und January 2022, 85 patients (67 ± 10 years, 53% male) were included, 33 were treated with CB and 52 with RF (38 with moderate power moderate duration [25-30 W] and 14 with high power short duration [50 W]). Ablation-induced VNI was detected in 27/85 patients independent of the energy form. Patients with VNI more frequently had postprocedural endoscopically detected pathology (8% mucosal esophageal lesions, 36% periesophageal edema, 33% food retention) but there was incomplete overlap. Pre-existing esophagitis increased the likelihood of VNI. Ablation data and esophageal temperature data did not predict VNI. CONCLUSION PVI-induced VNI is quite common and independent of ablation energy source. VNI is part of (peri)-esophageal damage and only partially overlaps with endoscopic findings. VNI-associated acidic reflux may be involved in the complex pathophysiology of esophageal lesion progression to fistula.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Freund
- Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Thiem Research, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Tobias Kleemann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Johann Christoph Geller
- Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Division of Cardiology, Arrhythmia Section, Bad Berka, Germany.,Otto-von-Guericke University School of Medicine Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Harald Matthes
- Department of Gastroenterology, Community-Hospital Havelhoehe Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Joseph C, Cooper J, Sikka R, Zagrodzky J, Turer RW, McDonald SA, Kulstad E, Daniels J. Improved hospital discharge and cost savings with esophageal cooling during left atrial ablation. J Med Econ 2023; 26:158-167. [PMID: 36537305 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2022.2160596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Left atrial ablation to obtain pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a technologically intensive procedure utilizing innovative and continually improving technology. Changes in the technology utilized for PVI can in turn lead to changes in procedure costs. Because of the proximity of the esophagus to the posterior wall of the left atrium, various technologies have been utilized to protect against thermal injury during ablation. The impact on hospital costs during PVI ablation from utilization of different technologies for esophageal protection during ablation has not previously been evaluated. OBJECTIVE To compare the costs of active esophageal cooling to luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring during left atrial ablation. METHODS We performed a time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) analysis to determine costs for PVI procedures. Published data and literature review were utilized to determine differences in procedure time and same-day discharge rates using different esophageal protection technologies and to determine the cost impacts of same-day discharge versus overnight hospitalization after PVI procedures. The total costs were then compared between cases using active esophageal cooling to those using LET monitoring. RESULTS The effect of implementing active esophageal cooling was associated with up to a 24.7% reduction in mean total procedure time, and an 18% increase in same-day discharge rate. TDABC analysis identified a $681 reduction in procedure costs associated with the use of active esophageal cooling after including the cost of the esophageal cooling device. Factoring in the 18% increase in same-day discharge resulted in an increased cost savings of $2,135 per procedure. CONCLUSIONS The use of active esophageal cooling is associated with significant cost-savings when compared to traditional LET monitoring, even after accounting for the additional cost of the cooling device. These savings originate from a per-patient procedural time savings and a per-population improvement in same-day discharge rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie Cooper
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Rishi Sikka
- Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Lifeforce Capital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jason Zagrodzky
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's South Austin Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Robert W Turer
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Erik Kulstad
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - James Daniels
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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15
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Schade A, Costello-Boerrigter L, Deneke T, Steinborn F, Chapran M, Vathie K, Milisavljevic N, Franz M, Surber R, Assani M, Hamo H, Khshfeh M, Lauten A, Mattea V. Oesophageal safety in voltage-guided atrial fibrillation ablation using ablation index or contact force only: a prospective comparison. Europace 2022; 24:1909-1916. [PMID: 35851917 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Left atrial ablation using radiofrequency (RF) is associated with endoscopically detected thermal oesophageal lesions (EDELs). The aim of this study was to compare EDEL occurrence after conventional contact force-guided (CFG) RF ablation vs. an ablation index-guided (AIG) approach in clinical routine of voltage-guided ablation (VGA). Predictors of EDEL were also assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS This study compared CFG (n = 100) with AIG (n = 100) in consecutive atrial fibrillation ablation procedures, in which both pulmonary vein isolation and VGA were performed. In the AIG group, AI targets were ≥500 anteriorly and ≥350-400 posteriorly. Upper endoscopy was performed after ablation.The CFG and AIG groups had comparable baseline characteristics. The EDEL occurred in 6 and 5% (P = 0.86) in the CFG and AIG groups, respectively. Category 2 lesions occurred in 4 and 2% (P = 0.68), respectively. All EDEL healed under proton pump inhibitor therapy. The AI > 520 was the only predictor of EDEL [odds ratio (OR) 3.84; P = 0.039]. The more extensive Category 2 lesions were predicted by: AI max > 520 during posterior ablation (OR 7.05; P = 0.042), application of posterior or roof lines (OR 5.19; P = 0.039), existence of cardiomyopathy (OR 4.93; P = 0.047), and CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR 1.71; P = 0.044). The only Category 2 lesion with AI max < 520 (467) occurred in a patient with low body mass index. CONCLUSIONS Both methods were comparable with respect to clinical complications and EDEL. In consideration of previous reconnection data and our study results regarding oesophageal safety, optimal AI target range might be between 400 and 450.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Schade
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Lisa Costello-Boerrigter
- Department of Cardiology and Center for Clinical Studies, Central Clinic Bad Berka, Robert-Koch-Alle 9, 99438 Bad Berka, Germany
| | - Thomas Deneke
- Department of Cardiology II/Interventional Electrophysiology, Rhoen-Klinikum Campus Bad Neustadt, Von-Guttenberg Str. 11, 97616 Bad Neustadt, Germany
| | - Frank Steinborn
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Mykhaylo Chapran
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Koroush Vathie
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Nemanja Milisavljevic
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Marcus Franz
- Department of Internal Medicine I/Cardiology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Ralf Surber
- Department of Internal Medicine I/Cardiology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Mohamad Assani
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Hussam Hamo
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Muhammed Khshfeh
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Alexander Lauten
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Violeta Mattea
- Department of Cardiology/Interventional Electrophysiology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 74, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
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16
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Teres C, Soto-Iglesias D, Penela D, Falasconi G, Viveros D, Meca-Santamaria J, Bellido A, Alderete J, Chauca A, Ordoñez A, Martí-Almor J, Scherer C, Panaro A, Carballo J, Cámara Ó, Ortiz-Pérez JT, Berruezo A. Relationship between the posterior atrial wall and the esophagus: esophageal position and temperature measurement during atrial fibrillation ablation (AWESOME-AF). A randomized controlled trial. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2022; 65:651-661. [PMID: 35861901 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-022-01302-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) implies unavoidable ablation lesions to the left atrial posterior wall, which is closely related to the esophagus, leading to several potential complications. This study evaluates the usefulness of the esophageal fingerprint in avoiding temperature rises during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) ablation. METHODS Isodistance maps of the atrio-esophageal relationship (esophageal fingerprint) were derived from the preprocedural computerized tomography. Patients were randomized (1:1) into two groups: (1) PRINT group, the PVI line was modified according to the esophageal fingerprint; (2) CONTROL group, standard PVI with operator blinded to the fingerprint. The primary endpoint was temperature rise detected by intraluminal esophageal temperature probe monitoring. Ablation settings were as specified on the Ablate BY-LAW study protocol. RESULTS Sixty consecutive patients referred for paroxysmal AF ablation were randomized (42 (70%) men, mean age 60 ± 11 years). Temperature rise (> 39.1 °C) occurred in 5 (16%) patients in the PRINT group vs. 17 (56%) in the CONTROL group (p < 0.01). Three AF recurrences were documented at a mean follow-up of 12 ± 3 months (one (3%) in the PRINT group and 2 (6.6%) in the CONTROL group, p = 0.4). CONCLUSION The esophageal fingerprint allows for a reliable identification of the esophageal position and its use for PVI line deployment results in less frequent esophageal temperature rises when compared to the standard approach. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of PVI line modification to avoid esophageal heating on long-term outcomes. The development of new imaging-derived tools could ultimately improve patient safety (NCT04394923).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Teres
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain.,Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Soto-Iglesias
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Penela
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giulio Falasconi
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Viveros
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Aldo Bellido
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Alderete
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Chauca
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Augusto Ordoñez
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Martí-Almor
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudia Scherer
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Panaro
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Carballo
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Óscar Cámara
- Department of Information and Communication Technologies, BCN-MedTech, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, PhySense group, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Berruezo
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/Vilana, 12; 08022, Barcelona, Spain.
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17
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Cooper J, Joseph C, Zagrodzky J, Woods C, Metzl M, Turer RW, McDonald SA, Kulstad E, Daniels J. Active esophageal cooling during radiofrequency ablation of the left atrium: data review and update. Expert Rev Med Devices 2022; 19:949-957. [PMID: 36413154 PMCID: PMC9839561 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2022.2150930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the left atrium of the heart is increasingly used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). Unfortunately, inadvertent thermal injury to the esophagus can occur during this procedure, potentially creating an atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) which is 80% fatal. The ensoETM (Attune Medical, Chicago, IL), is an esophageal cooling device that has been shown to reduce thermal injury to the esophagus during RF ablation. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes growing evidence related to active esophageal cooling during RF ablation for the treatment of AF. The review presents data demonstrating improved outcomes related to patient safety and procedural efficiency and suggests directions for future research. EXPERT OPINION The use of active esophageal cooling during RF ablation reduces esophageal injury, reduces or eliminates fluoroscopy requirements, reduces procedure duration and post-operative pain, and increases long-term freedom from arrhythmia. These effects in turn increase patient same-day discharge rates, decrease operator cognitive load, and reduce cost. These findings are likely to further accelerate the adoption of active esophageal cooling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Cooper
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | | | - Jason Zagrodzky
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, Austin, TX 78704
| | | | - Mark Metzl
- NorthShore University Health System, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
| | - Robert W. Turer
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | | | - Erik Kulstad
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - James Daniels
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
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18
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Radiofrequency Pulmonary Vein Isolation without Esophageal Temperature Monitoring: Contact-Force Characteristics and Incidence of Esophageal Thermal Damage. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236917. [PMID: 36498492 PMCID: PMC9741279 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal thermal lesions following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) potentially harbor lethal complications. Radiofrequency (RF)-PVI using contact force-technology can reduce collateral damage. We evaluated the incidence of endoscopically detected esophageal lesions (EDEL) and the contribution of contact force to esophageal lesion formation without esophageal temperature monitoring. One hundred and thirty-one AF patients underwent contact force-guided RF-PVI. Contact force, energy, force-time-integral, and force-power-time-integral were adopted. During PVI at the posterior segment of the wide antral circumferential line, limits were set for energy (30 W), duration (30 s) and contact force (40 g). Ablations were analyzed postero-superior and -inferior around PVs. Endoscopy within 120 h identified EDEL in six patients (4.6%). In EDEL(+), obesity was less frequent (17% vs. 68%, p = 0.018), creatinine was higher (1.55 ± 1.18 vs. 1.07 ± 0.42 mg/dL, p = 0.016), and exclusively at the left postero-inferior site, force-time-integral and force-power-time-integral were greater (2973 ± 3267 vs. 1757 ± 1262 g·s, p = 0.042 and 83,547 ± 105,940 vs. 43,556 ± 35,255 g·J, p = 0.022, respectively) as compared to EDEL(-) patients. No major complications occurred. At 12 months, arrhythmia-free survival was 74%. The incidence of EDEL was low after contact force-guided RF-PVI. Implementing combined contact force-indices on the postero-inferior site of left-sided PVs may reduce EDEL.
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19
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Leung LWM, Akhtar Z, Hayat J, Gallagher MM. Protecting Against Collateral Damage to Non-cardiac Structures During Endocardial Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2022; 11:e15. [PMID: 35990104 PMCID: PMC9376833 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2021.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Injury to structures adjacent to the heart, particularly oesophageal injury, accounts for a large proportion of fatal and life-altering complications of ablation for persistent AF. Avoiding these complications dictates many aspects of the way ablation is performed. Because avoidance involves limiting energy delivery in areas of interest, fear of extracardiac injury can impede the ability of the operator to perform an effective procedure. New techniques are becoming available that may permit the operator to circumvent this dilemma and deliver effective ablation with less risk to adjacent structures. The authors review all methods available to avoid injury to extracardiac structures to put these developments in context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa WM Leung
- Department of Cardiology, St George’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Zaki Akhtar
- Department of Cardiology, St George’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jamal Hayat
- Department of Gastroenterology, St George’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mark M Gallagher
- Department of Cardiology, St George’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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20
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Grosse Meininghaus D, Freund R, Kushnir A, Koerber B, Geller JC, Kleemann T. Asymptomatic esophageal perforation following high-power short-duration pulmonary vein isolation—A case of conservative cure. HeartRhythm Case Rep 2022; 8:661-665. [PMID: 36310731 PMCID: PMC9596363 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Grosse Meininghaus
- Department of Cardiology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
- Address reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Dirk Grosse Meininghaus, Department of Cardiology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital, Thiemstr. 111, 03048 Cottbus, Germany.
| | - Robert Freund
- Thiem Research, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Anton Kushnir
- Department of Radiology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Britta Koerber
- Department of Cardiology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
| | - J. Christoph Geller
- Division of Cardiology, Arrhythmia Section, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany
- Otto-von-Guericke University School of Medicine Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Kleemann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
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21
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Grosse Meininghaus D, Freund R, Heimbaecher L, Kleemann T, Kushnir A, Geller JC. Incidence and clinical relevance of upper gastrointestinal pathology during preprocedural endoscopy in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation. Clin Res Cardiol 2022; 111:1069-1076. [PMID: 35716196 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-022-02050-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reflux-induced esophagitis might facilitate ablation-induced esophageal lesions (ELs) following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), and these may progress to atrio-esophageal fistula (AEF). In contrast, preexisting ELs are not prone to progression but may affect procedure planning. OBJECTIVE To study the incidence of preexisting esophageal and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) pathology in patients undergoing PVI, and the relation to ablation-induced ELs. METHODS From 08/2018 to 09/2021, consecutive patients undergoing (radiofrequency [RF] or cryoballoon [CB]) PVI were examined by esophagogastroscopy (EGD) before and following ablation. Postprocedural endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was added in 2021. RESULTS 412 patients (median age 67.5 [IQR 61.3-75.0] years, 56.1% male) were studied. Preprocedural EGD showed abnormalities in 226/399 patients, 15% in the lower third of the esophagus. Half (99/226) were relevant for PVI, 13 procedures were postponed, 6 due to pathological EGD results. A third of the patients with new esophageal injury following ablation had preexisting esophagitis which was associated with a trend for a higher incidence of ELs after RF ablation (12.5 vs. 6.9%, p = 0.232), and a six- and two-fold higher rate of food retention after CB-PVI (28.6 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.008) and RF ablation (8.3 vs. 4.4%, p = 0.279), respectively. CONCLUSION (1) EGD before PVI showed UGI abnormalities in > 50% of patients, one-fourth of these relevant for PVI. (2) Esophageal inflammation was associated with a higher incidence of post-ablation (peri)-esophageal injury. Whether having this information before ablation is able to reduce ELs or AEF remains to be shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Grosse Meininghaus
- Department of Cardiology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Thiemstr. 111, 03048, Cottbus, Germany.
| | - Robert Freund
- Thiem Research, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Lukas Heimbaecher
- Department of Cardiology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Thiemstr. 111, 03048, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Tobias Kleemann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Anton Kushnir
- Department of Radiology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
| | - J Christoph Geller
- Arrhythmia Section, Division of Cardiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany.,Otto-Von-Guericke University School of Medicine, Magdeburg, Germany
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22
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Grosse Meininghaus D, Freund R, Kleemann T, Christoph Geller J. Calculated parameters of luminal esophageal temperatures predict esophageal injury following conventional and high-power short-duration radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2022; 33:1167-1176. [PMID: 35445476 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring is not associated with reduced esophageal injury following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). OBJECTIVE Detailed analysis of (the temporal and spatial gradients of) LET measurements may better predict the risk for esophageal injury. METHODS Between January 2020 and December 2021, LET maxima, duration of LET rise above baseline, and area under the LET curve (AUC) were calculated offline and correlated with (endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound detected) esophageal injury (i.e., mucosal esophageal lesions [ELs], periesophageal edema, and gastric motility disorders) following PVI using moderate-power moderate-duration (MPMD [25-30 W/25-30s]) and high-power short-duration (HPSD [50 W/13s]) radiofrequency (RF) settings. RESULTS 63 patients (69 ± 9 years old, 32 male, 51 MPMD and 12 HPSD) were studied. The esophageal injury was frequent (40% in both groups), mucosal ELs were more common with MPMD, and edema was frequently observed following HPSD. RF-duration, total RF-energy at the left atrial (LA) posterior wall, and distance between LA and esophagus were not different between patients with/without esophageal injury. In contrast, to LET and LET duration above baseline, AUC was the best predictor and significantly increased in patients with esophageal injury (3422 vs. 2444 K. s). CONCLUSION For both ablation strategies, AUC of the LET curves best predicted esophageal injury. HPSD is associated with similar rates of esophageal injury when (mostly subclinical) periesophageal alterations (that are of unclear clinical relevance) are included. Whether integration of these calculated LET parameters is useful to prevent esophageal injury remains to be seen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Freund
- Thiem Research, Carl-Thiem-Hospital, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Tobias Kleemann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carl-Thiem-Hospital, Cottbus, Germany
| | - J Christoph Geller
- Division of Cardiology, Arrhythmia Section, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany.,Otto-von-Guericke University School of Medicine, Magdeburg, Germany
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23
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Innovations in atrial fibrillation ablation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2022; 66:737-756. [PMID: 35411440 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-022-01215-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catheter-based ablation to perform pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has established itself as a mainstay in the rhythm control strategy of atrial fibrillation. This review article aims to provide an overview of recent advances in atrial fibrillation ablation technology. METHODS We reviewed the available literature and clinical trials of innovations in atrial fibrillation ablation technologies including ablation catheter designs, alternative energy sources, esophageal protection methods, electroanatomical mapping, and novel ablation targets. RESULTS Innovative radiofrequency (RF) catheter designs maximize energy delivery while avoiding overheating associated with conventional catheters. Single-shot balloon catheters in the form of cryoballoons, radiofrequency, and laser balloons have proven effective at producing pulmonary vein isolation and improving procedural efficiency and reproducibility. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a highly anticipated novel nonthermal energy source under development, which demonstrates selective ablation of the myocardium, producing durable lesions while also minimizing collateral damage. Innovative devices for esophageal protection including esophageal deviation and cooling devices have been developed to reduce esophageal complications. Improved electroanatomical mapping systems are being developed to help identify additional non-pulmonary triggers, which may benefit from ablation, especially with persistent atrial fibrillation. Lastly, the vein of Marshall alcohol ablation has been recently studied as an adjunct therapy for improving outcomes with catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS Numerous advances have been made in the field of atrial fibrillation ablation in the past decade. While further long-term data is still needed for these novel technologies, they show potential to improve procedural efficacy and safety.
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24
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Teres C, Soto-Iglesias D, Penela D, Jáuregui B, Ordoñez A, Chauca A, Carreño JM, Scherer C, Huguet M, Ramírez C, Mandujano JT, Maldonado G, Panaro A, Carballo J, Cámara Ó, Ortiz-Pérez JT, Berruezo A. Relationship between the posterior atrial wall and the esophagus: esophageal position during atrial fibrillation ablation. Heart Rhythm O2 2022; 3:252-260. [PMID: 35734293 PMCID: PMC9207737 DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Atrial fibrillation ablation implies a risk of esophageal thermal injury. Esophageal position can be analyzed with imaging techniques, but evidence for esophageal mobility is inconsistent. Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze esophageal position stability from one procedure to another and during a single procedure. Methods Esophageal position was compared in 2 patient groups. First, preprocedural multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) of first pulmonary vein isolation and redo intervention (redo group) was segmented with ADAS 3D™ to compare the stability of the atrioesophageal isodistance prints. Second, 3 imaging modalities were compared for the same procedure (multimodality group): (1) preprocedural MDCT; (2) intraprocedural fluoroscopy obtained with the transesophageal echocardiographic probe in place with CARTOUNIVU™; and (3) esophageal fast anatomic map (FAM) at the end of the procedure. Esophageal position correlation between different imaging techniques was computed in MATLAB using semiautomatic segmentation analysis. Results Thirty-five redo patients were analyzed and showed a mean atrioesophageal distance of 1.2 ± 0.6 mm and a correlation between first and redo procedure esophageal fingerprint of 91% ± 5%. Only 3 patients (8%) had a clearly different position. The multi-imaging group was composed of 100 patients. Esophageal position correlation between MDCT and CARTOUNIVU was 82% ± 10%; between MDCT and esophageal FAM was 80% ± 12%; and between esophageal FAM and CARTOUNIVU was 83% ± 15%. Conclusion There is high stability of esophageal position between procedures and from the beginning to the end of a procedure. Further research is undergoing to test the clinical utility of the esophageal fingerprinted isodistance map to the posterior atrial wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Teres
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona, Spain
- Cardiology Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Diego Penela
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Alfredo Chauca
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Marina Huguet
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Ramírez
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Julio Carballo
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Óscar Cámara
- PhySense group, BCN-MedTech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Berruezo
- Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona, Spain
- Address reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Antonio Berruezo, Heart Institute, Teknon Medical Center, C/ Vilana, 12, 08022 Barcelona, Spain.
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25
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Leung LWM, Akhtar Z, Sheppard MN, Louis-Auguste J, Hayat J, Gallagher MM. Preventing esophageal complications from atrial fibrillation ablation: A review. Heart Rhythm O2 2022; 2:651-664. [PMID: 34988511 PMCID: PMC8703125 DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrioesophageal fistula is a life-threatening complication of ablation treatment for atrial fibrillation. Methods to reduce the risk of esophageal injury have evolved over the last decade, and diagnosis of this complication remains difficult and therefore challenging to treat in a timely manner. Delayed diagnosis leads to treatment occurring in the context of a critically ill patient, contributing to the poor prognosis associated with this complication. The associated mortality risk can be as high as 70%. Recent important advances in preventative techniques are explored in this review. Preventative techniques used in current clinical practice are discussed, which include high-power short-duration ablation, esophageal temperature probe monitoring, cryotherapy and laser balloon technologies, and use of proton pump inhibitors. A lack of randomized clinical evidence for the effectiveness of these practical methods are found. Alternative methods of esophageal protection has emerged in recent years, including mechanical deviation of the esophagus and esophageal temperature control (esophageal cooling). Although these are fairly recent methods, we discuss the available evidence to date. Mechanical deviation of the esophagus is due to undergo its first randomized study. Recent randomized study on esophageal cooling has shown promise of its effectiveness in preventing thermal injuries. Lastly, novel ablation technology that may be the future of esophageal protection, pulsed field ablation, is discussed. The findings of this review suggest that more robust clinical evidence for esophageal protection methods is warranted to improve the safety of atrial fibrillation ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa W M Leung
- Department of Cardiology, St George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zaki Akhtar
- Department of Cardiology, St George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary N Sheppard
- Cardiac Pathology Unit, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Louis-Auguste
- Department of Gastroenterology, St George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jamal Hayat
- Department of Gastroenterology, St George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark M Gallagher
- Department of Cardiology, St George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Montoya MM, Bustamante TG, Berjano E, Mickelsen SR, Daniels JD, Arango PH, Schieber J, Kulstad E. Proactive esophageal cooling protects against thermal insults during high-power short-duration radiofrequency cardiac ablation. Int J Hyperthermia 2022; 39:1202-1212. [PMID: 36104029 PMCID: PMC9771690 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2022.2121860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proactive cooling with a novel cooling device has been shown to reduce endoscopically identified thermal injury during radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation using medium power settings. We aimed to evaluate the effects of proactive cooling during high-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation. METHODS A computer model accounting for the left atrium (1.5 mm thickness) and esophagus including the active cooling device was created. We used the Arrhenius equation to estimate the esophageal thermal damage during 50 W/ 10 s and 90 W/ 4 s RF ablations. RESULTS With proactive esophageal cooling in place, temperatures in the esophageal tissue were significantly reduced from control conditions without cooling, and the resulting percentage of damage to the esophageal wall was reduced around 50%, restricting damage to the epi-esophageal region and consequently sparing the remainder of the esophageal tissue, including the mucosal surface. Lesions in the atrial wall remained transmural despite cooling, and maximum width barely changed (<0.8 mm). CONCLUSIONS Proactive esophageal cooling significantly reduces temperatures and the resulting fraction of damage in the esophagus during HPSD ablation. These findings offer a mechanistic rationale explaining the high degree of safety encountered to date using proactive esophageal cooling, and further underscore the fact that temperature monitoring is inadequate to avoid thermal damage to the esophagus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Enrique Berjano
- BioMIT, Department of Electronic Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain
| | | | - James D. Daniels
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Jay Schieber
- Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Erik Kulstad
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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27
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Procedural time reduction associated with active esophageal cooling during pulmonary vein isolation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2022; 65:617-623. [PMID: 35416632 PMCID: PMC9726815 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-022-01204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active esophageal cooling is increasingly utilized as an alternative to luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring for protection against thermal injury during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) when treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Published data demonstrate the efficacy of active cooling in reducing thermal injury, but impacts on procedural efficiency are not as well characterized. LET monitoring compels pauses in ablation due to heat stacking and temperature overheating alarms that in turn delay progress of the PVI procedure, whereas active esophageal cooling allows avoidance of this phenomenon. Our objective was to measure the change in PVI procedure duration after implementation of active esophageal cooling as a protective measure against esophageal injury. METHODS We performed a retrospective review under IRB approval of patients with AF undergoing PVI between January 2018 and February 2020. For each patient, we recorded age, gender, and total procedure time. We then compared procedure times before and after the implementation of active esophageal cooling as a replacement for LET monitoring. RESULTS A total of 373 patients received PVI over the study period. LET monitoring using a multi-sensor probe was performed in 198 patients, and active esophageal cooling using a dedicated device was performed in 175 patients. Patient characteristics did not significantly differ between groups (mean age of 67 years, and gender 37.4% female). Mean procedure time was 146 ± 51 min in the LET-monitored patients, and 110 ± 39 min in the actively cooled patients, representing a reduction of 36 min, or 24.7% of total procedure time (p < .001). Median procedure time was 141 [IQR 104 to 174] min in the LET-monitored patients and 100 [IQR 84 to 122] min in the actively cooled patients, for a reduction of 41 min, or 29.1% of total procedure time (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of active esophageal cooling for protection against esophageal injury during PVI was associated with a significantly large reduction in procedure duration.
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28
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Zagrodzky J, Bailey S, Shah S, Kulstad E. Impact of Active Esophageal Cooling on Fluoroscopy Usage During Left Atrial Ablation. J Innov Card Rhythm Manag 2021; 12:4749-4755. [PMID: 34676132 PMCID: PMC8519316 DOI: 10.19102/icrm.2021.121101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Risks to collateral structures exist with radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the left atrium to obtain pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Passive luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring is commonly utilized, but increasing data suggest limited benefits with LET monitoring. In contrast, active cooling of the esophagus has been shown to significantly reduce esophageal injury. Active cooling of the esophagus also avoids the need for stopping and repositioning an LET probe during use, which may reduce the need for fluoroscopy use. This study aimed to measure the impact on fluoroscopy use during RF ablation with esophageal cooling using a dedicated cooling device in a low-fluoroscopy practice. All patients who underwent PVI over a one-year timeframe by a single provider were analyzed. Patients undergoing PVI prior to the incorporation of an esophageal cooling protocol into standard ablation practice were treated with traditional LET monitoring. Patients treated after this point received active esophageal cooling, in which no LET monitoring is utilized. A total of 280 patients were treated; 91 patients were treated using LET monitoring, and 189 patients were treated with esophageal cooling. The mean total fluoroscopy time before the implementation of the esophageal cooling protocol in 91 patients was 194 seconds [standard deviation (SD): 182 seconds] per case, with a median of 144 seconds. The mean total fluoroscopy time after implementation in 189 patients was 126 seconds (SD: 120 seconds) per case with a median of 96 seconds, representing a reduction of 35% per case (p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test). In this largest study to date of active esophageal cooling during PVI, a 35% reduction in fluoroscopy time compared with patients who received LET monitoring was found. This reduction was seen despite an already low fluoroscopy usage rate in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Zagrodzky
- Department of Electrophysiology, St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Shane Bailey
- Department of Electrophysiology, St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Erik Kulstad
- Department of Emergency Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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29
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Esophageal Injury and Progression to Atrial-Esophageal Fistula in Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR RISK REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12170-021-00681-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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30
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[Pulmonary vein isolation using radiofrequency ablation]. Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2021; 32:395-405. [PMID: 34309747 DOI: 10.1007/s00399-021-00794-z] [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: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Catheter ablation represents the primary treatment for most arrhythmias. The effectiveness of catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation is superior to drug therapy. Therefore, catheter ablation has been established as an increasingly common procedure in clinical routine. In this context, the electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVI) constitutes the cornerstone of the interventional therapy of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. This article describes the procedure of pulmonary vein isolation utilizing radiofrequency point-by-point ablation. It shall be a practical guide for the staff in the electrophysiological laboratory. This article continues a series of manuscripts focusing on interventional electrophysiology topics in the course of EP (electrophysiology) training.This article describes the procedure of pulmonary vein isolation utilizing radiofrequency point-by-point ablation. It shall be a practical guide for the staff in the electrophysiological laboratory. This article continues a series of manuscripts dealing with topics of interventional electrophysiology in the course of EP training.
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31
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Houmsse M, Daoud EG. Reply to "Additional data protection of the esophagus during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation". J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:1793. [PMID: 33928701 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Houmsse
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Emile G Daoud
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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32
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Clark B, Kulstad E. Additional data on protection of the esophagus during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:1791-1792. [PMID: 33928699 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brad Clark
- Department of Electrophysiology, St. Vincent Medical Group, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Erik Kulstad
- Department of Emergency Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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33
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Daniels J, Kulstad E. Further mechanistic evidence against luminal esophageal temperature monitoring? J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:1787-1788. [PMID: 33811712 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James Daniels
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Erik Kulstad
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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34
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Wm Leung L, Akhtar Z, Hayat J, M Gallagher M. Intraluminal Esophageal Temperature Monitoring Using the Circa S-Cath™ Temperature Probe to Guide Left Atrial Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. J Atr Fibrillation 2021; 13:2508. [PMID: 34950342 PMCID: PMC8691354 DOI: 10.4022/jafib.2508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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