Analysis of risk factors for recurrence after video-assisted pulmonary vein isolation of lone atrial fibrillation—results of 5 years of follow-up

Effectiveness of P-wave ECG index and left atrial appendage volume in predicting atrial fibrillation recurrence after first radiofrequency catheter ablation

BACKGROUND

The primary aim was to observe the predictive value of P-wave ECG index and left atrial appendage volume (LLAV) for atrial fibrillation recurrence after first radiofrequency catheter ablation.

METHODS

A total of 196 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were enrolled. The preoperative LLAV was measured by cardiac enhanced CT. The P-wave ECG index including minimum P-wave duration (P-min), maximum P-wave duration (P-max), mean P-wave duration (mPWD), P-wave dispersion (PWD), P-wave terminal force in lead V1 (PtfV1), PR interval prolongation, and interatrial block (IAB) were analyzed and recorded in 12-lead ECG of sinus rhythm.

RESULTS

According to the follow-up results, the patients were divided into two groups: the non-recurrence group and the recurrence group. P-min, PWD, P-max, PtfV1 ≥ 0.04 mV·s, PR interval prolongation, and the ratio of first and third-degree IAB in the recurrence group were higher than those in the non-recurrence group, with significant statistical differences (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was performed on time to atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation when PtfV1 ≥ 0.04 mv s by comparison between groups (Log Rank test: 2 = 4.739, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the survival rate without recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation was lower when the LLAV exceeded 8.0 mL (log-rank test P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

PWD, P-max, PtfV1, PR interval prolongation, first and third-degree IAB, and LLAV can effectively predict atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation. The combination might be a valid and alternative independent predictor of recurrence.

Pulmonary vein parameters are similar or better predictors than left atrial diameter for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after cryoablation

Left atrial diameter (LAD) has been considered an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) relapse after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, whether LAD or other factors are more predictive of late recurrence in patients with paroxysmal AF remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the value of pulmonary vein (PV) parameters for predicting AF relapse 1 year after patients underwent cryoablation for paroxysmal AF. Ninety-seven patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent PVI successfully were included. PV parameters were measured through computed tomography scans prior to PVI. A total of 28 patients had recurrence of AF at one-year follow-up. The impact of several variables on recurrence was evaluated in multivariate analyses. LAD and the time from first diagnosis of AF to ablation maintained its significance in predicting the relapse of AF after relevant adjustments in multivariate analysis. When major diameter of right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV) (net reclassification improvement (NRI) 0.179, CI=0.031–0.326, P<0.05) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of RIPV (NRI: 0.122, CI=0.004–0.240, P<0.05) entered the AF risk model separately, the added predictive capacity was large. The accuracy of the two parameters in predicting recurrence of AF were not inferior (AUC: 0.665 and 0.659, respectively) to echocardiographic LAD (AUC: 0.663). The inclusion of either RIPV major diameter or CSA of RIPV in the model increased the C-index (0.766 and 0.758, respectively). We concluded that major diameter of RIPV had predictive capacity similar to or even better than that of LAD for predicting AF relapse after cryoablation PVI.

Hybrid thoracoscopic surgical and transvenous catheter ablation versus transvenous catheter ablation in persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (HARTCAP-AF): study protocol for a randomized trial

Background

Success rates with conventional transvenous endocardial pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are variable due to advanced electrical and structural remodeling of the atria. As a consequence, more extensive endocardial lesions, minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgical techniques, and hybrid ablation (combining thoracoscopic epicardial surgical and endocardial catheter ablation) have been developed.

Hypothesis

The HARTCAP-AF trial hypothesizes that hybrid AF ablation is more effective than (repeated) transvenous endocardial catheter ablation in (longstanding) persistent AF, without increasing the number of associated major adverse events.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial will include 40 patients with persistent or longstanding persistent AF who will be 1:1 randomized to either hybrid ablation or (repeated) catheter ablation. The procedures and follow-up are conducted according to the guidelines. The primary effectiveness endpoint is freedom from any supraventricular arrhythmia lasting longer than 5 min without the use of Vaughan-Williams class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs through 12 months of follow-up after the last procedure. In the catheter ablation arm, a second procedure planned within 6 months after the index procedure is allowed for obtaining the primary endpoint. Additionally, adverse events, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life data will be recorded.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02441738. Registered on 12 May 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3365-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Predictive risk factors for recurrent atrial fibrillation after modified endoscopic ablation: A 2-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Our previous study reported a modified endoscopic procedure for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) that requires only 3 ports in the left chest wall.

HYPOTHESIS

Certain preoperative variables might be predictive risk factors for AF recurrence among patients who underwent this procedure.

METHODS

From October 2010 to April 2014, 114 patients with either paroxysmal AF (PAF) or nonparoxysmal AF (non-PAF) underwent the procedure and completed postoperative cardiac-rhythm measurement via electrocardiography and Holter monitoring. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the possible AF-related risk factors were conducted.

RESULTS

During 2-year follow-up, 99 of 114 patients (86.8%) were free from atrial tachyarrhythmia. Results from univariate analyses showed that AF duration, left atrial diameter (LAD), left atrial minimum volume, left atrial empty fraction, left atrial expansion index, and left atrial active empty fraction (LAAEF) were significantly associated with postoperative AF recurrence. Results from multivariate analyses showed that AF duration (odds ratio [OR]: 1.194, 95% CI: 1.063-1.340, P = 0.003), LAD (OR: 1.101, 95% CI: 1.005-1.205, P = 0.039), and LAAEF (OR: 0.490, 95% CI: 0.277-0.865, P = 0.014) were independent risk factors. There was no difference in AF recurrence between patients with PAF and non-PAF (P = 0.250).

CONCLUSIONS

Our 2-year follow-up study suggested that low LAAEF, long AF duration, and large LAD might be potential predictive risk factors for AF recurrence. Patients with PAF and non-PAF had a similar AF recurrence rate after modified endoscopic ablation.

One-stage Approach for Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

The one-stage approach for hybrid atrial fibrillation involves the simultaneous and close cooperation of different medical specialties. This review attempts to describe its challenging issues, exposing a plan to balance thrombotic risk and bleeding risk. It describes the combined surgical-electrophysiological procedure. Specific topics, involving hemodynamic, fluid and respiratory management during surgery are considered, and problems related to postoperative pain are surveyed.

The totally thoracoscopic maze procedure for the treatment of atrial fibrillation

The purpose of this study was to update the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of the totally thoracoscopic maze (TT-maze) procedure for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Fourteen studies published between 2011 and 2016 and comprising 1171 patients were included as follows: 545 (46%) patients had paroxysmal AF (pAF), 268 (23%) persistent AF (persAF) and 358 (31%) longstanding persistent AF (LSPAF). Fixed- and random-effect models were used to calculate the pooled overall freedom from atrial arrhythmias. The 1- and 2-year pooled overall antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) free (off-AAD) success rates were 78% (95% confidence interval (CI): 72-83%, n = 13) and 77% (95% CI: 64-86%, n = 6), respectively. The 1- and 2-year pooled on-AAD success rates were 84% (95% CI: 78-89%, n = 5) and 85% (95% CI: 78-90%, n = 3), respectively. Subanalysis regarding the different types of AF revealed a 1-year pooled off-AAD success rate of 81% (95% CI: 73-86%, n = 7) for pAF, 63% (95% CI: 57-69%, n = 5) for persAF and 67% (95% CI: 52-79%, n = 3) for LSPAF. The overall in-hospital complication rate was <3% (n = 36). We conclude that the TT-maze is an effective strategy for the treatment of AF with maintained efficacy at the 2-year follow-up. Furthermore, the TT-maze has demonstrated similar efficacy to the Cox Maze IV procedure at the midterm follow-up with a lower complication rate. Extended follow-up research is needed to determine whether the high success rates after TT-maze will be stable over time.