Adenosine triphosphate/adenosine guided pulmonary vein isolation does not improve the outcomes of ablation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Adenosine usage during AF ablation in Europe and selected long-term findings from the ESC-EHRA EORP Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term registry

Background

Adenosine can be used to reveal dormant pulmonary vein (PV) conduction after PV isolation (PVI). This study presents a subanalysis of real-world 1-year follow-up data from the ESC-EHRA EORP Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Ablation Long-Term registry to analyze the usage of adenosine during PVI treatment in terms of rhythm outcome and safety.

Methods

The registry consists of 104 participating centers in 27 countries within the European Society of Cardiology. The registry data was split into an adenosine group (AG) and no-adenosine group (NAG). Procedure characteristics and patient outcome were compared.

Results

Adenosine was administered in 10.8% of the 3591 PVI patients included in the registry. Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy included the majority of adenosine cases (48.8%). Adenosine was applied more often in combination with open irrigation radiofrequency (RF) energy (74.7%) and less often in combination with nonirrigated RF energy (1.6%). After 1 year, a higher percentage of the AG was free from AF compared with the NAG (68.9% vs 59.1%, p < 0.001). Adenosine was associated with better rhythm outcome in RF ablation procedures, but not in cryo-ablation procedures (freedom from AF: RF: AG: 70.9%, NAG: 58.1%, p < 0.001, cryo: AG: 63.9%, NAG: 63.8%, p = 0.991).

Conclusions

The use of adenosine was associated with a better rhythm outcome after 1 year follow-up and seems more useful in patients treated with RF energy compared with patients treated with cryo energy. Given the improved rhythm outcome at 1-year follow-up, it seems reasonable to encourage the use of adenosine during RF AF ablation.

Adenosine as a Marker and Mediator of Cardiovascular Homeostasis: A Translational Perspective

Adenosine, a purine nucleoside, is produced broadly and implicated in the homeostasis of many cells and tissues. It signals predominantly via 4 purinergic adenosine receptors (ADORs) - ADORA1, ADORA2A, ADORA2B and ADOosine signaling, both through design as specific ADOR agonists and antagonists and as offtarget effects of existing anti-platelet medications. Despite this, adenosine has yet to be firmly established as either a therapeutic or a prognostic tool in clinical medicine to date. Herein, we provide a bench-to-bedside review of adenosine biology, highlighting the key considerations for further translational development of this proRA3 in addition to non-ADOR mediated effects. Through these signaling mechanisms, adenosine exerts effects on numerous cell types crucial to maintaining vascular homeostasis, especially following vascular injury. Both in vitro and in vivo models have provided considerable insights into adenosine signaling and identified targets for therapeutic intervention. Numerous pharmacologic agents have been developed that modulate adenmising molecule.