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Elias P, Jain SS, Poterucha T, Randazzo M, Lopez Jimenez F, Khera R, Perez M, Ouyang D, Pirruccello J, Salerno M, Einstein AJ, Avram R, Tison GH, Nadkarni G, Natarajan V, Pierson E, Beecy A, Kumaraiah D, Haggerty C, Avari Silva JN, Maddox TM. Artificial Intelligence for Cardiovascular Care-Part 1: Advances: JACC Review Topic of the Week. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024; 83:2472-2486. [PMID: 38593946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.03.400] [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: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Recent artificial intelligence (AI) advancements in cardiovascular care offer potential enhancements in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Innovations to date focus on automating measurements, enhancing image quality, and detecting diseases using novel methods. Applications span wearables, electrocardiograms, echocardiography, angiography, genetics, and more. AI models detect diseases from electrocardiograms at accuracy not previously achieved by technology or human experts, including reduced ejection fraction, valvular heart disease, and other cardiomyopathies. However, AI's unique characteristics necessitate rigorous validation by addressing training methods, real-world efficacy, equity concerns, and long-term reliability. Despite an exponentially growing number of studies in cardiovascular AI, trials showing improvement in outcomes remain lacking. A number are currently underway. Embracing this rapidly evolving technology while setting a high evaluation benchmark will be crucial for cardiology to leverage AI to enhance patient care and the provider experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Elias
- Seymour, Paul and Gloria Milstein Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sneha S Jain
- Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Timothy Poterucha
- Seymour, Paul and Gloria Milstein Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael Randazzo
- Division of Cardiology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Rohan Khera
- Division of Cardiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Marco Perez
- Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - David Ouyang
- Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - James Pirruccello
- Division of Cardiology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael Salerno
- Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Andrew J Einstein
- Seymour, Paul and Gloria Milstein Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert Avram
- Division of Cardiology, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Geoffrey H Tison
- Division of Cardiology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Girish Nadkarni
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Emma Pierson
- Department of Computer Science, Cornell Tech, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ashley Beecy
- NewYork-Presbyterian Health System, New York, New York, USA; Division of Cardiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Deepa Kumaraiah
- Seymour, Paul and Gloria Milstein Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; NewYork-Presbyterian Health System, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chris Haggerty
- Department of Biomedical Informatics Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; NewYork-Presbyterian Health System, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer N Avari Silva
- Division of Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Thomas M Maddox
- Division of Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
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2
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Tiver KD, Strong C, Dharmaprani D, Chapman D, Jenkins E, Shahrbabaki SS, Ganesan AN. A real-time signal processing software package for the electrophysiology laboratory. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2024; 35:1229-1231. [PMID: 38654418 DOI: 10.1111/jce.16281] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Real-time signal processing has to date been difficult to implement in the clinical electrophysiology laboratory. To date, no open access software solutions are available in electrophysiology (EP) laboratories to facilitate real-time intraprocedural signal analysis. We aimed to develop an open access, scalable Python plug-in to allow real-time signal processing during human EP procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS A Python-based plug in for the widely available EnsiteX mapping system was developed. This plug-in utilized the LiveSync feature of the system to allow real-time signal analysis. An open access library was developed to allow end-users to implement real-time signal analysis using this platform, implemented in the Python programming language https://github.com/anand9176/WaveWatch5000Public. CONCLUSION We have developed and demonstrated the feasibility of a readily scalable and open-access Python-based plug in to an electroanatomic mapping system (EnSiteX) to allow real-time processing and display of electrogram (EGM) based information for the procedural electrophysiologist to view intraprocedurally in the electrophysiology laboratory. The availability, to the clinician, of traditional and novel EGM-based metrics at the time of intervention, such as atrial fibrillation ablation, allows for key mechanistic insights into critical unresolved questions regarding arrhythmia mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn D Tiver
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Campbell Strong
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Dhani Dharmaprani
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Darius Chapman
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Evan Jenkins
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Anand N Ganesan
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia
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3
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Hassouna S, Osmancik P. Catheter ablation for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A review. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2024; 168:1-14. [PMID: 38230517 DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.053] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The higher mortality is due to the risk of heart failure and cardioembolic events. This in-depth review focuses on the strategies and efficacy of catheter ablation for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The main medical databases were searched for contemporary studies on catheter ablation for non-paroxysmal AF. Catheter ablation is currently proven to be the most effective treatment for AF and consists of pulmonary vein isolation as the cornerstone plus additional ablations. In terms of SR maintenance, it is less effective in non-paroxysmal AF than in paroxysmal patients. but the clinical benefit in non-paroxysmal patients is substantially higher. Since pulmonary vein isolation is ineffective, a variety of techniques have been developed, e.g. linear ablations, ablation of complex atrial fractionated electrograms, etc. Another paradox consists in the technique of catheter ablation. Despite promising results in early observation studies, further randomized studies have not confirmed the initial enthusiasm. Recently, a new approach, pulsed-field ablation, appears promising. This is an in-depth summary of current technologies and techniques for the ablation of non-paroxysmal AF. We discuss the benefits, risks and implications in the treatment of patients with non-paroxysmal AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabri Hassouna
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Osmancik
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Weipert KF, Hutter J, Kuniss M, Kahle P, Yogarajah J, Hain A, Sperzel J, Berkowitsch A, Hamm CW, Neumann T. Pulmonary Vein Isolation Followed by Biatrial Ablation of Rotational Activity in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Results of the Cryo-Vest Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1118. [PMID: 38398432 PMCID: PMC10889131 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13041118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Noninvasive mapping allows the identification of patient-specific atrial rotational activity (RA) that might play a key role in the perpetuation of persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF). So far, the impact of pulmonary vein isolation by cryoballoon (Cryo-PVI) on RA is unclear. Moreover, the long-term effect of periprocedural termination of AF during the ablation procedure is controversial. Methods: Noninvasive electrocardiographic mapping with a 252-electrode vest was performed in 42 patients with PsAF. After the first analysis, Cryo-PVI was performed. The RA was analyzed again and then targeted by radiofrequency catheter ablation. The primary clinical endpoint was periprocedural termination of AF. The secondary endpoint was freedom from any atrial arrhythmia >30 s during a 12-month follow-up. Results: In 33 patients (79%), right atrial RA was identified leading to biatrial ablation, and nine patients (21%) had left atrial RA only. Twelve patients (28.6%) converted from AF to sinus rhythm (SR) (Group A). Thirteen patients (30.9%) converted to atrial tachycardia (AT) (Group B). In 17 patients (40.5%), AF was not terminated by ablation (Group C). After a mean follow-up time of 13.8 months, 26 patients were free from AF and AT (61.9%). In terms of rhythm, control Group A (75%) and B (83.3%) showed higher success rates than Group C (33.3%) (p < 0.01). Cryo-PVI had no substantial impact on RA. Conclusions: The RA-based ablation approach showed acceptable success rates. Periprocedural termination of AF had a positive predictive impact on the outcome. No difference was observed between conversion to SR or to AT. Cryo-PVI had no impact on RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Felix Weipert
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Julie Hutter
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Malte Kuniss
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Patrick Kahle
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Joerg Yogarajah
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Andreas Hain
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Johannes Sperzel
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Alexander Berkowitsch
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Christian W. Hamm
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Rhein-Main Partner Site, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Neumann
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; (J.H.); (M.K.); (P.K.); (J.Y.); (A.H.); (J.S.); (A.B.); (C.W.H.); (T.N.)
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Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, Benjamin EJ, Chyou JY, Cronin EM, Deswal A, Eckhardt LL, Goldberger ZD, Gopinathannair R, Gorenek B, Hess PL, Hlatky M, Hogan G, Ibeh C, Indik JH, Kido K, Kusumoto F, Link MS, Linta KT, Marcus GM, McCarthy PM, Patel N, Patton KK, Perez MV, Piccini JP, Russo AM, Sanders P, Streur MM, Thomas KL, Times S, Tisdale JE, Valente AM, Van Wagoner DR. 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation 2024; 149:e1-e156. [PMID: 38033089 PMCID: PMC11095842 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 156.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
AIM The "2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 12, 2022, to November 3, 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through November 2022, during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables, where appropriate. STRUCTURE Atrial fibrillation is the most sustained common arrhythmia, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the United States and globally. Recommendations from the "2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" and the "2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk assessment, anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occlusion, atrial fibrillation catheter or surgical ablation, and risk factor modification and atrial fibrillation prevention have been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anita Deswal
- ACC/AHA Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines liaison
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul L Hess
- ACC/AHA Joint Committee on Performance Measures liaison
| | | | | | | | | | - Kazuhiko Kido
- American College of Clinical Pharmacy representative
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6
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Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, Benjamin EJ, Chyou JY, Cronin EM, Deswal A, Eckhardt LL, Goldberger ZD, Gopinathannair R, Gorenek B, Hess PL, Hlatky M, Hogan G, Ibeh C, Indik JH, Kido K, Kusumoto F, Link MS, Linta KT, Marcus GM, McCarthy PM, Patel N, Patton KK, Perez MV, Piccini JP, Russo AM, Sanders P, Streur MM, Thomas KL, Times S, Tisdale JE, Valente AM, Van Wagoner DR. 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024; 83:109-279. [PMID: 38043043 PMCID: PMC11104284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM The "2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 12, 2022, to November 3, 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through November 2022, during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables, where appropriate. STRUCTURE Atrial fibrillation is the most sustained common arrhythmia, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the United States and globally. Recommendations from the "2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" and the "2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk assessment, anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occlusion, atrial fibrillation catheter or surgical ablation, and risk factor modification and atrial fibrillation prevention have been developed.
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7
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Guckel D, Piran M, Bergau L, Hamriti ME, Fink T, Sciacca V, Reil JC, Braun M, Khalaph M, Imnadze G, Kramer K, Friedrich S, Rühl J, Körperich H, Sommer P, Sohns C. The individual relationship between atrial fibrillation sources from CARTOFINDER mapping and atrial cardiomyopathy: The catch me if you can trial. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2023; 46:1553-1564. [PMID: 37885302 DOI: 10.1111/pace.14847] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting individual sources identified during atrial fibrillation (AF) has been used as an ablation strategy with varying results. OBJECTIVE Aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between regions of interest (ROIs) from CARTOFINDER (CF) mapping and atrial cardiomyopathy from late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). METHODS Twenty consecutive patients underwent index catheter ablation for persistent AF (PERS AF). Pre-processed LGE CMR images were merged with the results from CF mapping to visualize harboring regions for focal and rotational activities. Atrial cardiomyopathy was classified based on the four Utah stages. RESULTS Procedural success was achieved in all patients (n = 20, 100%). LGE CMR revealed an intermediate amount of 21.41% ± 6.32% for LA fibrosis. ROIs were identified in all patients (mean no ROIs per patient n = 416.45 ± 204.57). A tendency towards a positive correlation between the total amount of atrial cardiomyopathy and the total number of ROIs per patient (regression coefficient, β = 10.86, p = .15) was observed. The degree of fibrosis and the presence of ROIs per segment showed no consistent spatial correlation (posterior: β = 0.36, p-value (p) = .24; anterior: β = -0.08, p = .54; lateral: β = 0.31, p = 39; septal: β = -0.12; p = .66; right PVs: β = 0.34, p = .27; left PVs: β = 0.07, p = .79; LAA: β = -0.91, p = .12). 12 months AF-free survival was 70% (n = 14) after ablation. CONCLUSION The presence of ROIs from CF mapping was not directly associated with the extent and location of fibrosis. Further studies evaluating the relationship between focal and rotational activity and atrial cardiomyopathy are mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Guckel
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Misagh Piran
- Institute for Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Leonard Bergau
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Mustapha El Hamriti
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Thomas Fink
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Sciacca
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Jan-Christian Reil
- Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology/Angiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Martin Braun
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Moneeb Khalaph
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Guram Imnadze
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Katharina Kramer
- Mathematical Statistics and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, University Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Friedrich
- Mathematical Statistics and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, University Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Rühl
- Mathematical Statistics and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, University Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Körperich
- Institute for Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Philipp Sommer
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Christian Sohns
- Clinic for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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8
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Silva Garcia E, Lobo-Torres I, Fernández-Armenta J, Penela D, Fernandez-Garcia M, Gomez-Lopez A, Soto-Iglesias D, Fernández-Rivero R, Vazquez-Garcia R, Acosta J, Bisbal F, Cano-Calabria L, Berruezo A. Functional mapping to reveal slow conduction and substrate progression in atrial fibrillation. Europace 2023; 25:euad246. [PMID: 37961921 PMCID: PMC10644200 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad246] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of our study was to analyse the response to short-coupled atrial extrastimuli to identify areas of hidden slow conduction (HSC) and their relationship with the atrial fibrillation (AF) phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF and persistent AF (10:10) underwent the first pulmonary vein isolation procedure. Triple short-coupled extrastimuli were delivered in sinus rhythm (SR), and the evoked response was analysed: sites exhibiting double or highly fragmented electrograms (EGM) were defined as positive for HSC (HSC+). The delta of the duration of the bipolar EGM was analysed, and bipolar EGM duration maps were built. High-density maps were acquired using a multipolar catheter during AF, SR, and paced rhythm. Spatial co-localization of HSC+ and complex fractionated atrial EGMs (CFAE) during AF was evaluated. Persistent AF showed a higher number and percentage of HSC+ than paroxysmal AF (13.9% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.001). The delta of EGM duration was 53 ± 22 ms for HSC+ compared with 13 ± 11 (10) ms in sites with negative HSC (HSC-) (P < 0.001). The number and density of HSC+ were lower than CFAE during AF (19 vs. 56 per map, P < 0.001). The reproducibility and distribution of HSC+ in repeated maps were superior to CFAE (P = 0.19 vs. P < 0.001). Sites with negative and positive responses showed a similar bipolar voltage in the preceding sinus beat (1.65 ± 1.34 and 1.48 ± 1.47 mV, P = 0.12). CONCLUSION Functional mapping identifies more discrete and reproducible abnormal substrates than mapping during AF. The HSC+ sites in response to triple extrastimuli are more frequent in persistent AF than in paroxysmal AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etel Silva Garcia
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Ivan Lobo-Torres
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | | | - Diego Penela
- Teknon Medical Center, Heart Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Andrea Gomez-Lopez
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Juan Acosta
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Felipe Bisbal
- Institut del Cor (iCor), Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucas Cano-Calabria
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
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9
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Nesapiragasan V, Hayıroğlu Mİ, Sciacca V, Sommer P, Sohns C, Fink T. Catheter Ablation Approaches for the Treatment of Arrhythmia Recurrence in Patients with a Durable Pulmonary Vein Isolation. Balkan Med J 2023; 40:386-394. [PMID: 37817408 PMCID: PMC10613749 DOI: 10.4274/balkanmedj.galenos.2023.2023-9-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Catheter ablation has emerged as an effective treatment for atrial arrhythmias, and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of ablation strategies. Significant technological evolution and widespread increase in operator experience have facilitated the effectiveness of catheter ablation to achieve durable PVIs in single or multiple ablation procedures. Nevertheless, arrhythmia recurrence is a common problem even after establishing PVI. Data on catheter ablation in these patients are sparse and repeat ablation in this population is highly challenging. In this review we have summarized the available data as well as potential strategies of catheter ablation following the initial PVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinitha Nesapiragasan
- Clinics for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Mert İlker Hayıroğlu
- Clinic Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Vanessa Sciacca
- Clinics for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Philipp Sommer
- Clinics for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Christian Sohns
- Clinics for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Thomas Fink
- Clinics for Electrophysiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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10
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Calvert P, Lip GYH, Gupta D. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: A review of techniques. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2023; 33:405-415. [PMID: 35421538 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ablation of atrial fibrillation is a key area of current research. A multitude of techniques have been tested, some of which are poorly evidenced and not recommended in routine clinical practice whilst others are more promising. Additionally, a plethora of issues exist when researching ablation techniques, from control arm ablation strategy to the relevance of outcome measures. In this review article, we discuss these issues in the context of the current evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Calvert
- Department of Cardiology, Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Thomas Drive, Liverpool L14 3PE, UK
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Department of Cardiology, Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Thomas Drive, Liverpool L14 3PE, UK; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - Dhiraj Gupta
- Department of Cardiology, Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Thomas Drive, Liverpool L14 3PE, UK.
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11
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Yadan Z, Jian L, Jian W, Yifu L, Haiying L, Hairui L. An expert review of the inverse problem in electrocardiographic imaging for the non-invasive identification of atrial fibrillation drivers. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 240:107676. [PMID: 37343376 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) has emerged as a non-invasive approach to identify atrial fibrillation (AF) driver sources. This paper aims to collect and review the current research literature on the ECGI inverse problem, summarize the research progress, and propose potential research directions for the future. METHODS AND RESULTS The effectiveness and feasibility of using ECGI to map AF driver sources may be influenced by several factors, such as inaccuracies in the atrial model due to heart movement or deformation, noise interference in high-density body surface potential (BSP), inconvenient and time-consuming BSP acquisition, errors in solving the inverse problem, and incomplete interpretation of the AF driving source information derived from the reconstructed epicardial potential. We review the current research progress on these factors and discuss possible improvement directions. Additionally, we highlight the limitations of ECGI itself, including the lack of a gold standard to validate the accuracy of ECGI technology in locating AF drivers and the challenges associated with guiding AF ablation based on post-processed epicardial potentials due to the intrinsic difference between epicardial and endocardial potentials. CONCLUSIONS Before performing ablation, ECGI can provide operators with predictive information about the underlying locations of AF driver by non-invasively and globally mapping the biatrial electrical activity. In the future, endocardial catheter mapping technology may benefit from the use of ECGI to enhance the diagnosis and ablation of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Yadan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Jian
- Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wu Jian
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li Yifu
- Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Haiying
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Hairui
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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12
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Jaramillo AP, Jaramillo L, Briones Andriuoli RR, Revilla JC, Castells J, Ibrahimli S, Villacres JL, Garzon Mora N. The Effectiveness of Ablation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e43992. [PMID: 37641724 PMCID: PMC10460603 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43992] [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] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
It is expected that the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia among people aged 65 to 85, would be mostly classified using the CHAS2DS2-VASc approach for anticoagulation therapy. A high number of people in the entire world will be living with AF by 2030. Long-term follow-up data are sparse, although radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) for symptomatic AF patients has the potential to be a curative therapy. Although women are referred later and less often than men, the outcomes following ablation are comparable across both genders. Health-related quality of life suffers from AF, and patients often find themselves less active as a result of their condition. AF may have a wide variety of symptoms and signs from the clinic's point of view. Women are more likely to exhibit symptoms than men; one reason for this is that women have an average QT interval that is 10-20 milliseconds longer than men, which is more likely to exacerbate tachycardia symptoms. In search of medical databases for relevant medical literature, we looked at PubMed/Medline, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Ten publications were gathered after the papers were located, assessed, and qualifying criteria applied were used to select them. The finished articles were done to give an overview of the effectiveness of ablation therapy for AF. Some studies showed that there was no statistical significance between invasive and pharmacological treatments. Other research found no difference in the recurrence of atrial arrhythmia between pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) CA alone and PVI + enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided fibrosis ablation in individuals with persistent AF. The oldest individuals in studies comparing CA to medical treatment for AF demonstrated no improvement in prognosis after CA. Also, complications from therapy and CA's efficacy in preventing future atrial arrhythmias were similarly low across all age groups. Based on the above, we concluded that more studies are required to establish the most effective approach to treating AF to apply it in daily practice and gain more knowledge about it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luisa Jaramillo
- Internal Medicine, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, ECU
| | | | | | - Javier Castells
- Medicine, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, ECU
| | | | - Jossua L Villacres
- Internal Medicine, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, ECU
| | - Neyla Garzon Mora
- Medicine, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, ECU
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13
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Betts TR, Good WW, Melki L, Metzner A, Grace A, Verma A, Murray S, James S, Wong T, Boersma LVA, Steven D, Sultan A, Busch S, Neužil P, de Asmundis C, Lee J, Szili-Török T. Treatment of pathophysiologic propagation outside of the pulmonary veins in retreatment of atrial fibrillation patients: RECOVER AF study. Europace 2023; 25:euad097. [PMID: 37072340 PMCID: PMC10228624 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS RECOVER AF evaluated the performance of whole-chamber non-contact charge-density mapping to guide the ablation of non-pulmonary vein (PV) targets in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients following either a first or second failed procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS RECOVER AF was a prospective, non-randomized trial that enrolled patients scheduled for a first or second ablation retreatment for recurrent AF. The PVs were assessed and re-isolated if necessary. The AF maps were used to guide the ablation of non-PV targets through elimination of pathologic conduction patterns (PCPs). Primary endpoint was freedom from AF on or off antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) at 12 months. Patients undergoing retreatment with the AcQMap System (n = 103) were 76% AF-free at 12 months [67% after single procedure (SP)] on or off AADs (80% free from AF on AADs). Patients who had only received a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) prior to study treatment of non-PV targets with the AcQMap System were 91% AF-free at 12 months (83% SP). No major adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION Non-contact mapping can be used to target and guide the ablation of PCPs beyond the PVs in persistent AF patients returning for a first or second retreatment with 76% freedom from AF at 12 months. The AF freedom was particularly high, 91% (43/47), for patients enrolled having only a prior de novo PVI, and freedom from all atrial arrhythmias for this cohort was 74% (35/47). These early results are encouraging and suggest that guiding individualized targeted ablation of PCPs may therefore be advantageous to target at the earliest opportunity in patients with persistent AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R Betts
- Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | | | - Lea Melki
- R&D Algorithms, Acutus Medical, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | - Andreas Metzner
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrew Grace
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Atul Verma
- Division of Cardiology, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stephen Murray
- Cardiology Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Simon James
- Cardiology Department, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Tom Wong
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| | - Lucas V A Boersma
- Cardiology Department, Sint Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Steven
- Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Arian Sultan
- Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sonia Busch
- Department Cardiology and Angiology, Klinikum Coburg, Coburg, Germany
| | - Petr Neužil
- Department of Cardiology, Homolka Hospital (Na Homolce Hospital), Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Carlo de Asmundis
- Heart Rhythm Management Centre, Cardiovascular Division, UZ Brussel—Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Justin Lee
- Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tamás Szili-Török
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Nelson DW, Dhorepatil A, Kreidieh O, Mekhael M, Noujaim C, Assaf A, Feng H, Marrouche N. Differences in postablation cardiac MRI scar between radiofrequency and cryoballoon ablation: A DECAAF II subanalysis. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2023; 34:810-822. [PMID: 36871178 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (Cryo) ablation are standard approaches for rhythm control in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Both strategies create scars in the left atrium (LA). There have been few studies investigating the difference in scar formation between patients undergoing RF and Cryo using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. METHODS The current study is a subanalysis of the control arm of the Delayed-Enhancement MRI Determinant of Successful Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation study (DECAAF II). The study was a multicenter, randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial that evaluated atrial arrhythmia recurrence (AAR) between PVI alone and PVI plus CMR atrial fibrosis-guided ablation. Preablation CMR and 3- to 6-month postablation CMR were obtained to assess baseline LA fibrosis and scar formation, respectively. RESULTS Of the 843 patients randomized in the DECAAF II trial, we analyzed the 408 patients in the primary analysis control arm that received standard PVI. Five patients received combined RF and Cryo ablations, so they were excluded from this subanalysis. Of the 403 patients analyzed, 345 underwent RF and 58 Cryo. The average procedure duration was 146 min for RF and 103 min for Cryo (p = .001). The rate of AAR at ~15 months occurred in 151 (43.8%) patients in the RF group and 28 (48.3%) patients in the Cryo group (p = .62). On 3-month post-CMR, the RF arm had significantly more scar (8.8% vs. 6.4%, p = .001) compared to Cryo. Patients with ≥6.5% LA scar (p < .001) and ≥2.3% LA scar around the PV antra (p = .01) on 3-month post-CMR had less AAR independent of the ablation technique. Cryo caused a greater percentage of right and left pulmonary vein (PV) antral scar (p = .04, p = .02) and less non-PV antral scar (p = .009) compared to RF. On Cox regression, Cryo patients free of AAR had a greater percentage of left PV antral scar (p = .01) and less non-PV antral scar (p = .004) compared to RF free of AAR. CONCLUSION In this subanalysis of the control arm of the DECAAF II trial, we observed that Cryo formed a more significant percentage of PV antral scar and less non-PV antral scar compared to RF. Post ablation LA scar ≥6.5% predicted freedom from AAR, independent of ablation technique. These findings may have prognostic implications in ablation technique selection and freedom from AAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wetherbee Nelson
- Division of Cardiovascular, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,TRIAD Research Group, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Aneesh Dhorepatil
- Division of Cardiovascular, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,TRIAD Research Group, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Omar Kreidieh
- Division of Cardiovascular, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,TRIAD Research Group, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Mario Mekhael
- TRIAD Research Group, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Charbel Noujaim
- TRIAD Research Group, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ala Assaf
- TRIAD Research Group, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Han Feng
- TRIAD Research Group, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Nassir Marrouche
- Division of Cardiovascular, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,TRIAD Research Group, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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15
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Spitzer SG, Miller JM, Sommer P, Szili-Torok T, Reddy VY, Nölker G, Williams C, Sarver A, Wilber DJ. Randomized evaluation of redo ablation procedures of atrial fibrillation with focal impulse and rotor modulation-guided procedures: the REDO-FIRM study. Europace 2023; 25:74-82. [PMID: 36056882 PMCID: PMC10103554 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS REDO-FIRM evaluated safety and effectiveness of conventional vs. focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM)-guided ablation of recurrent persistent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) after an initial AF ablation procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS This prospective, multicentre, randomized study included patients with a single prior AF ablation, but with recurrent AF and reconnected pulmonary veins (PVs). Conventional ablation generally included PV re-isolation; however, additional ablation was permitted per physician discretion. In the FIRM arm, beyond PV re-isolation, basket catheter-based FIRM mapping created dynamic animations of putative rotors, which were targeted for ablation. Between May 2016 and July 2019, 269 subjects were randomized, with 243 subjects completing 12-month follow-up. Ablation beyond re-pulmonary vein isolation, the FIRM vs. Conventional arms did not differ significantly: cavo-tricuspid isthmus -9.0% vs. 15.3%, caval vein isolation -1.5% vs. 0.8%, non-PV trigger -2.2% vs. 3.8%, other -11.9% vs. 13.0%. Single procedure 12-month freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia/atrial flutter-recurrence was 63.3% (76/120) vs. 59.0% (72/122) in the FIRM and Conventional arms (P = 0.3503). Efficacy was similar in the paroxysmal and persistent AF subgroups (P = 0.22 and P = 0.48). The 10-day and 12-month safety endpoints were achieved in 93.3% vs. 93.8% (P = 0.89) and 88.4% vs. 93.4% (P = 0.22) in the FIRM and Conventional arms, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In REDO-FIRM, as compared to standard ablation, FIRM-guided ablation did not provide additional efficacy in redo ablation procedures, but FIRM-guided ablation was equally safe. Additional studies are necessary to identify any potential population able to benefit from FIRM-guided ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan G Spitzer
- Praxisklinik Herz und Gefäße, 01099 Dresden, and Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Institute of Medical Technology, 03046 Cottbus, Germany
| | - John M Miller
- Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Philipp Sommer
- Herz-und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen 32545, Germany
| | | | - Vivek Y Reddy
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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16
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Xu CH, Xiong F, Jiang WF, Liu X, Liu T, Qin M. Rotor mechanism and its mapping in atrial fibrillation. Europace 2023; 25:783-792. [PMID: 36734272 PMCID: PMC10062333 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains challenging despite significant progress in understanding its underlying mechanisms. The first detailed, quantitative theory of functional re-entry, the 'leading circle' model, was developed more than 40 years ago. Subsequently, in decades of study, an alternative paradigm based on spiral waves has long been postulated to drive AF. The rotor as a 'spiral wave generator' is a curved 'vortex' formed by spin motion in the two-dimensional plane, identified using advanced mapping methods in experimental and clinical AF. However, it is challenging to achieve complementary results between experimental results and clinical studies due to the limitation in research methods and the complexity of the rotor mechanism. Here, we review knowledge garnered over decades on generation, electrophysiological properties, and three-dimensional (3D) structure diversity of the rotor mechanism and make a comparison among recent clinical approaches to identify rotors. Although initial studies of rotor ablation at many independent centres have achieved promising results, some inconclusive outcomes exist in others. We propose that the clinical rotor identification might be substantially influenced by (i) non-identical surface activation patterns, which resulted from a diverse 3D form of scroll wave, and (ii) inadequate resolution of mapping techniques. With rapidly advancing theoretical and technological developments, future work is required to resolve clinically relevant limitations in current basic and clinical research methodology, translate from one to the other, and resolve available mapping techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Hao Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 Huaihai West Road, Xuhui
District, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Feng Xiong
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of
Montreal, 5000, Bélanger street, Montréal, Québec H1T
1C8, Canada
| | - Wei-Feng Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 Huaihai West Road, Xuhui
District, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 Huaihai West Road, Xuhui
District, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Corresponding authors. Tao Liu, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang
District, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China. Tel: +86 (027) 8804 1911, Fax:+86-(027)-8804-2292.
E-mail address:; Mu Qin, 241 Huaihai
West Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200030, China. Tel: +8621628219902603, Fax:
+862162821105. E-mail address:
| | - Mu Qin
- Corresponding authors. Tao Liu, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang
District, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China. Tel: +86 (027) 8804 1911, Fax:+86-(027)-8804-2292.
E-mail address:; Mu Qin, 241 Huaihai
West Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200030, China. Tel: +8621628219902603, Fax:
+862162821105. E-mail address:
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17
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Delgado-López M, Heeger CH, Tilz RR. [New mapping tools for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation]. Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2022; 33:380-385. [PMID: 36239817 DOI: 10.1007/s00399-022-00902-7] [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: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The pulmonary veins have been recognized as the primary source of atrial triggers, and their isolation has become the cornerstone for ablation of atrial fibrillation. However, long-term success rates after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are limited. Several promising new mapping techniques are described in this article, aiming to better understand the mechanisms underlying the induction and maintenance of atrial fibrillation and to develop more effective ablation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryuri Delgado-López
- Klinik für Rhythmologie, Universitäres Herzzentrum Lübeck, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland.
| | - Christian-Hendrik Heeger
- Klinik für Rhythmologie, Universitäres Herzzentrum Lübeck, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland
- Partner Site Lübeck, Deutsches Zentrum für Herzkreislaufforschung e. V. (DZHK), Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - Roland Richard Tilz
- Klinik für Rhythmologie, Universitäres Herzzentrum Lübeck, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland
- Partner Site Lübeck, Deutsches Zentrum für Herzkreislaufforschung e. V. (DZHK), Lübeck, Deutschland
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18
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Theofilis P, Oikonomou E, Antonopoulos AS, Siasos G, Tsioufis K, Tousoulis D. Percutaneous Treatment Approaches in Atrial Fibrillation: Current Landscape and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092268. [PMID: 36140368 PMCID: PMC9496262 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice, represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with an increasing prevalence. Pharmacologic treatment remains the cornerstone of its management through rhythm and rate control, as well as the prevention of thromboembolism with the use of oral anticoagulants. Recent progress in percutaneous interventional approaches have provided additional options in the therapeutic arsenal, however. The use of the different catheter ablation techniques can now lead to long arrhythmia-free intervals and significantly lower AF burden, thus reducing the rate of its complications. Particularly encouraging evidence is now available for patients with persistent AF or concomitant heart failure, situations in which catheter ablation could even be a first-line option. In the field of stroke prevention, targeting the left atrial appendage with percutaneous device implantation may reduce the risk of thromboembolism to lower rates than that predicted with conventional ischemic risk scores. Left atrial appendage occlusion through the approved Watchman or Amplatzer devices is a well-established, efficacious, and safe method, especially in high-ischemic and bleeding risk patients with contraindications for oral anticoagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Theofilis
- First Department of Cardiology, “Hippokration” General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- Third Department of Cardiology, Thoracic Diseases General Hospital “Sotiria”, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios S. Antonopoulos
- First Department of Cardiology, “Hippokration” General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- Third Department of Cardiology, Thoracic Diseases General Hospital “Sotiria”, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Tsioufis
- First Department of Cardiology, “Hippokration” General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Tousoulis
- First Department of Cardiology, “Hippokration” General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
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19
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Azzolin L, Eichenlaub M, Nagel C, Nairn D, Sanchez J, Unger L, Dössel O, Jadidi A, Loewe A. Personalized ablation vs. conventional ablation strategies to terminate atrial fibrillation and prevent recurrence. Europace 2022; 25:211-222. [PMID: 35943361 PMCID: PMC9907752 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The long-term success rate of ablation therapy is still sub-optimal in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), mostly due to arrhythmia recurrence originating from arrhythmogenic sites outside the pulmonary veins. Computational modelling provides a framework to integrate and augment clinical data, potentially enabling the patient-specific identification of AF mechanisms and of the optimal ablation sites. We developed a technology to tailor ablations in anatomical and functional digital atrial twins of patients with persistent AF aiming to identify the most successful ablation strategy. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-nine patient-specific computational models integrating clinical information from tomographic imaging and electro-anatomical activation time and voltage maps were generated. Areas sustaining AF were identified by a personalized induction protocol at multiple locations. State-of-the-art anatomical and substrate ablation strategies were compared with our proposed Personalized Ablation Lines (PersonAL) plan, which consists of iteratively targeting emergent high dominant frequency (HDF) regions, to identify the optimal ablation strategy. Localized ablations were connected to the closest non-conductive barrier to prevent recurrence of AF or atrial tachycardia. The first application of the HDF strategy had a success of >98% and isolated only 5-6% of the left atrial myocardium. In contrast, conventional ablation strategies targeting anatomical or structural substrate resulted in isolation of up to 20% of left atrial myocardium. After a second iteration of the HDF strategy, no further arrhythmia episode could be induced in any of the patient-specific models. CONCLUSION The novel PersonAL in silico technology allows to unveil all AF-perpetuating areas and personalize ablation by leveraging atrial digital twins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Azzolin
- Corresponding author. Tel: +393381319986, E-mail address:
| | | | - Claudia Nagel
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Building 30.33, Fritz-Haber-Weg 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Deborah Nairn
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Building 30.33, Fritz-Haber-Weg 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jorge Sanchez
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Building 30.33, Fritz-Haber-Weg 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Laura Unger
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Building 30.33, Fritz-Haber-Weg 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Olaf Dössel
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Building 30.33, Fritz-Haber-Weg 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
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20
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Marrouche NF, Wazni O, McGann C, Greene T, Dean JM, Dagher L, Kholmovski E, Mansour M, Marchlinski F, Wilber D, Hindricks G, Mahnkopf C, Wells D, Jais P, Sanders P, Brachmann J, Bax JJ, Morrison-de Boer L, Deneke T, Calkins H, Sohns C, Akoum N. Effect of MRI-Guided Fibrosis Ablation vs Conventional Catheter Ablation on Atrial Arrhythmia Recurrence in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: The DECAAF II Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2022; 327:2296-2305. [PMID: 35727277 PMCID: PMC9214588 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.8831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a challenge. Left atrial fibrosis plays an important role in the pathophysiology of AF and has been associated with poor procedural outcomes. Objective To investigate the efficacy and adverse events of targeting atrial fibrosis detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in reducing atrial arrhythmia recurrence in persistent AF. Design, Setting, and Participants The Efficacy of Delayed Enhancement-MRI-Guided Fibrosis Ablation vs Conventional Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation trial was an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized clinical trial involving 44 academic and nonacademic centers in 10 countries. A total of 843 patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic persistent AF and undergoing AF ablation were enrolled from July 2016 to January 2020, with follow-up through February 19, 2021. Interventions Patients with persistent AF were randomly assigned to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus MRI-guided atrial fibrosis ablation (421 patients) or PVI alone (422 patients). Delayed-enhancement MRI was performed in both groups before the ablation procedure to assess baseline atrial fibrosis and at 3 months postablation to assess for ablation scar. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was time to first atrial arrhythmia recurrence after a 90-day blanking period postablation. The primary safety composite outcome was defined by the occurrence of 1 or more of the following events within 30 days postablation: stroke, PV stenosis, bleeding, heart failure, or death. Results Among 843 patients who were randomized (mean age 62.7 years; 178 [21.1%] women), 815 (96.9%) completed the 90-day blanking period and contributed to the efficacy analyses. There was no significant difference in atrial arrhythmia recurrence between groups (fibrosis-guided ablation plus PVI patients, 175 [43.0%] vs PVI-only patients, 188 [46.1%]; hazard ratio [HR], 0.95 [95% CI, 0.77-1.17]; P = .63). Patients in the fibrosis-guided ablation plus PVI group experienced a higher rate of safety outcomes (9 [2.2%] vs 0 in PVI group; P = .001). Six patients (1.5%) in the fibrosis-guided ablation plus PVI group had an ischemic stroke compared with none in PVI-only group. Two deaths occurred in the fibrosis-guided ablation plus PVI group, and the first one was possibly related to the procedure. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with persistent AF, MRI-guided fibrosis ablation plus PVI, compared with PVI catheter ablation only, resulted in no significant difference in atrial arrhythmia recurrence. Findings do not support the use of MRI-guided fibrosis ablation for the treatment of persistent AF. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02529319.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassir F. Marrouche
- Cardiology Department, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | | | | | | | | | - Lilas Dagher
- Cardiology Department, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | | | - Moussa Mansour
- Cardiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | | | - David Wilber
- Cardiology Department, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | | | | | - Pierre Jais
- Cardiology Department, Segalen University, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - Jeroen J. Bax
- Cardiology Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Cardiology Department, Turku Heart Center, Turku, Finland
| | | | | | - Hugh Calkins
- Cardiology Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Nazem Akoum
- Cardiology Department, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle
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21
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Management of atrial fibrillation: two decades of progress - a scientific statement from the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2022; 65:287-326. [PMID: 35419669 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-022-01195-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. The aim of this review was to evaluate the progress made in the management of AF over the two last decades. RESULTS Clinical classification of AF is usually based on the presence of symptoms, the duration of AF episodes and their possible recurrence over time, although incidental diagnosis is not uncommon. The majority of patients with AF have associated cardiovascular diseases and more recently the recognition of modifiable risk factors both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular which should be considered in its management. Among AF-related complications, stroke and transient ischaemic accidents (TIAs) carry considerable morbidity and mortality risk. The use of implantable devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators, wearable garments and subcutaneous cardiac monitors with recording capabilities has enabled to access the burden of "subclinical AF". The recent introduction of non-vitamin K antagonists has led to improve the prevention of stroke and peripheral embolism. Agents capable of reversing non-vitamin K antagonists have also become available in case of clinically relevant major bleeding. Transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage represents an option for patients unable to take oral anticoagulation. When treating patients with AF, clinicians need to select the most suitable strategy, i.e. control of heart rate and/or restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm. The studies comparing these two strategies have not shown differences in terms of mortality. If an AF episode is poorly tolerated from a haemodynamic standpoint, electrical cardioversion is indicated. Otherwise, restoration of sinus rhythm can be obtained using intravenous pharmacological cardioversion and oral class I or class III antiarrhythmic is used to prevent recurrences. During the last two decades after its introduction in daily practice, catheter ablation has gained considerable escalation in popularity. Progress has also been made in AF associated with heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS Significant progress has been made within the past 2 decades both in the pharmacological and non-pharmacological managements of this cardiac arrhythmia.
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22
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Muffoletto M, Qureshi A, Zeidan A, Muizniece L, Fu X, Zhao J, Roy A, Bates PA, Aslanidi O. Toward Patient-Specific Prediction of Ablation Strategies for Atrial Fibrillation Using Deep Learning. Front Physiol 2021; 12:674106. [PMID: 34122144 PMCID: PMC8187921 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.674106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia that affects 1% of the population worldwide and is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. Catheter ablation (CA) has become one of the first line treatments for AF, but its success rates are suboptimal, especially in the case of persistent AF. Computational approaches have shown promise in predicting the CA strategy using simulations of atrial models, as well as applying deep learning to atrial images. We propose a novel approach that combines image-based computational modelling of the atria with deep learning classifiers trained on patient-specific atrial models, which can be used to assist in CA therapy selection. Therefore, we trained a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) using a combination of (i) 122 atrial tissue images obtained by unfolding patient LGE-MRI datasets, (ii) 157 additional synthetic images derived from the patient data to enhance the training dataset, and (iii) the outcomes of 558 CA simulations to terminate several AF scenarios in the corresponding image-based atrial models. Four CNN classifiers were trained on this patient-specific dataset balanced using several techniques to predict three common CA strategies from the patient atrial images: pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), rotor-based ablation (Rotor) and fibrosis-based ablation (Fibro). The training accuracy for these classifiers ranged from 96.22 to 97.69%, while the validation accuracy was from 78.68 to 86.50%. After training, the classifiers were applied to predict CA strategies for an unseen holdout test set of atrial images, and the results were compared to outcomes of the respective image-based simulations. The highest success rate was observed in the correct prediction of the Rotor and Fibro strategies (100%), whereas the PVI class was predicted in 33.33% of the cases. In conclusion, this study provides a proof-of-concept that deep neural networks can learn from patient-specific MRI datasets and image-derived models of AF, providing a novel technology to assist in tailoring CA therapy to a patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Muffoletto
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Biomolecular Modelling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed Qureshi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aya Zeidan
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laila Muizniece
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xiao Fu
- Biomolecular Modelling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Aditi Roy
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. Bates
- Biomolecular Modelling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oleg Aslanidi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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23
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Nattel S, Sager PT, Hüser J, Heijman J, Dobrev D. Why translation from basic discoveries to clinical applications is so difficult for atrial fibrillation and possible approaches to improving it. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:1616-1631. [PMID: 33769493 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained clinical arrhythmia, with a lifetime incidence of up to 37%, and is a major contributor to population morbidity and mortality. Important components of AF management include control of cardiac rhythm, rate, and thromboembolic risk. In this narrative review article, we focus on rhythm-control therapy. The available therapies for cardiac rhythm control include antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter-based ablation procedures; both of these are presently neither optimally effective nor safe. In order to develop improved treatment options, it is necessary to use preclinical models, both to identify novel mechanism-based therapeutic targets and to test the effects of putative therapies before initiating clinical trials. Extensive research over the past 30 years has provided many insights into AF mechanisms that can be used to design new rhythm-maintenance approaches. However, it has proven very difficult to translate these mechanistic discoveries into clinically applicable safe and effective new therapies. The aim of this article is to explore the challenges that underlie this phenomenon. We begin by considering the basic problem of AF, including its clinical importance, the current therapeutic landscape, the drug development pipeline, and the notion of upstream therapy. We then discuss the currently available preclinical models of AF and their limitations, and move on to regulatory hurdles and considerations and then review industry concerns and strategies. Finally, we evaluate potential paths forward, attempting to derive insights from the developmental history of currently used approaches and suggesting possible paths for the future. While the introduction of successful conceptually innovative new treatments for AF control is proving extremely difficult, one significant breakthrough is likely to revolutionize both AF management and the therapeutic development landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley Nattel
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,IHU LIYRC Institute, Bordeaux, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Philip T Sager
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascuar Research Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jörg Hüser
- Research and Development, Preclinical Research, Cardiovascular Diseases, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Jordi Heijman
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dobromir Dobrev
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.,Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
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