1
|
Nair GM, Birnie DH, Nery PB, Redpath CJ, Sarrazin JF, Roux JF, Parkash R, Bernier M, Sterns LD, Sapp J, Novak P, Veenhuyzen G, Morillo CA, Singh SM, Sadek MM, Golian M, Klein A, Sturmer M, Chauhan VS, Angaran P, Green MS, Bernick J, Wells GA, Essebag V. Standard vs Augmented Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation for Reduction of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: The AWARE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol 2023; 8:475-483. [PMID: 36947030 PMCID: PMC10034661 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2023.0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Importance Recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly occurs after catheter ablation and is associated with patient morbidity and health care costs. Objective To evaluate the superiority of an augmented double wide-area circumferential ablation (WACA) compared with a standard single WACA in preventing recurrent atrial arrhythmias (AA) (atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, or atrial fibrillation [AF]) in patients with paroxysmal AF. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a pragmatic, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open, blinded end point superiority clinical trial conducted at 10 university-affiliated centers in Canada. The trial enrolled patients 18 years and older with symptomatic paroxysmal AF from March 2015 to May 2017. Analysis took place between January and April 2022. Analyses were intention to treat. Interventions Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive radiofrequency catheter ablation for pulmonary vein isolation with either a standard single WACA or an augmented double WACA. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was AA recurrence between 91 and 365 days postablation. Patients underwent 42 days of ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring after ablation. Secondary outcomes included need for repeated catheter ablation and procedural and safety variables. Results Of 398 patients, 195 were randomized to the single WACA (control) arm (mean [SD] age, 60.6 [9.3] years; 65 [33.3%] female) and 203 to the double WACA (experimental) arm (mean [SD] age, 61.5 [9.3] years; 66 [32.5%] female). Overall, 52 patients (26.7%) in the single WACA arm and 50 patients (24.6%) in the double WACA arm had recurrent AA at 1 year (relative risk, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.66-1.29; P = .64). Twenty patients (10.3%) in the single WACA arm and 15 patients (7.4%) in the double WACA arm underwent repeated catheter ablation (relative risk, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.38-1.36). Adjudicated serious adverse events occurred in 13 patients (6.7%) in the single WACA arm and 14 patients (6.9%) in the double WACA arm. Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized clinical trial of patients with paroxysmal AF, additional ablation by performing a double ablation lesion set did not result in improved freedom from recurrent AA compared with a standard single ablation set. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02150902.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Girish M. Nair
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David H. Birnie
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pablo B. Nery
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Ratika Parkash
- Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Martin Bernier
- McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - John Sapp
- Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Paul Novak
- Victoria Cardiac Arrhythmia Trials, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - George Veenhuyzen
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carlos A. Morillo
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Mehrdad Golian
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andres Klein
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcio Sturmer
- Hôpital Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Vijay S. Chauhan
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul Angaran
- St Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martin S. Green
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan Bernick
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - George A. Wells
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vidal Essebag
- McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Hôpital Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nair GM, Birnie DH, Wells GA, Nery PB, Redpath CJ, Sarrazin JF, Roux JF, Parkash R, Bernier M, Sterns LD, Novak P, Veenhuyzen G, Morillo CA, Singh SM, Sturmer M, Chauhan VS, Angaran P, Essebag V. Augmented wide area circumferential catheter ablation for reduction of atrial fibrillation recurrence (AWARE) trial: Design and rationale. Am Heart J 2022; 248:1-12. [PMID: 35219715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after a pulmonary vein isolation procedure is often due to electrical reconnection of the pulmonary veins. Repeat ablation procedures may improve freedom from AF but are associated with increased risks and health care costs. A novel ablation strategy in which patients receive "augmented" ablation lesions has the potential to reduce the risk of AF recurrence. OBJECTIVE The Augmented Wide Area Circumferential Catheter Ablation for Reduction of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence (AWARE) Trial was designed to evaluate whether an augmented wide-area circumferential antral (WACA) ablation strategy will result in fewer atrial arrhythmia recurrences in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF, compared with a conventional WACA strategy. METHODS/DESIGN The AWARE trial was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open, blinded endpoint trial that has completed recruitment (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02150902). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either the control arm (single WACAlesion set) or the interventional arm (augmented- double WACA lesion set performed after the initial WACA). The primary outcome was atrial tachyarrhythmia (AA; atrial tachycardia [AT], atrial flutter [AFl] or AF) recurrence between days 91 and 365 post catheter ablation. Patient follow-up included 14-day continuous ambulatory ECG monitoring at 3, 6, and 12 months after catheter ablation. Three questionnaires were administered during the trial- the EuroQuol-5D (EQ-5D) quality of life scale, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity of Atrial Fibrillation scale, and a patient satisfaction scale. DISCUSSION The AWARE trial was designed to evaluate whether a novel approach to catheter ablation reduced the risk of AA recurrence in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Girish M Nair
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | - Pablo B Nery
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Ratika Parkash
- Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Martin Bernier
- McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laurence D Sterns
- Victoria Cardiac Arrhythmia Trials, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul Novak
- Victoria Cardiac Arrhythmia Trials, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - George Veenhuyzen
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carlos A Morillo
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Marcio Sturmer
- Hôpital Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Vijay S Chauhan
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul Angaran
- St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vidal Essebag
- McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Hôpital Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Unni RR, Prager RT, Odabashian R, Zhang JJ, Fat Hing NN, Nery PB, Pi L, Aldawood W, Sadek MS, Redpath CJ, Birnie DH, Alqarawi W, Zagzoog A, Golian M, Klein A, Ramirez FD, Green MS, Chen L, Visintini S, Wells GA, Nair GM. Rhythm Monitoring Strategy and Arrhythmia Recurrence in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Trials: A Systematic Review. CJC Open 2022; 4:488-496. [PMID: 35607484 PMCID: PMC9123375 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background : The rhythm-monitoring strategy after catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) impacts the detection of atrial arrhythmia recurrence and is not well characterized. We performed a systematic review and meta-regression analysis to determine whether the duration and mode of rhythm monitoring after CA affects detection of atrial arrhythmia recurrence. Methods Databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials of adult patients undergoing first CA for AF from 2007 to 2021. Duration and strategy of rhythm monitoring were extracted. Meta-regression was used to identify any association between duration of monitoring and detection of atrial arrhythmia recurrence. The primary measure of outcome was single-procedure recurrence of atrial arrhythmia. Results The search strategy yielded 57 trial arms from 56 randomized controlled trials comprising 5322 patients: 36 arms of patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF), and 21 arms of patients with persistent AF (PeAF) or both PAF/PeAF. Intermittent monitoring was associated with detection of significantly less atrial arrhythmia recurrence than continuous monitoring in PAF arms (31.2% vs 46.9%, P = 0.001), but not in PeAF/PAF-PeAF combined arms (43.3% vs 63.6%, P = 0.12). No significant relationship was seen between the duration of intermittent rhythm monitoring and atrial arrhythmia recurrence detection in either the PAF (P = 0.93) or PeAF/PAF-PeAF combined arms (P = 0.20). Conclusions Continuous rhythm monitoring detected higher atrial arrhythmia recurrence rates, compared to intermittent rhythm monitoring, in patients with PAF. The duration of intermittent monitoring did not show a statistically significant relationship to the yield of arrhythmia detection, in near identical cohorts of trial subjects undergoing similar interventions, with clinical and research implications.
Collapse
|
4
|
Macle L, Frame D, Gache LM, Monir G, Pollak SJ, Boo LM. Atrial fibrillation ablation with a spring sensor-irrigated contact force-sensing catheter compared with other ablation catheters: systematic literature review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e023775. [PMID: 31189669 PMCID: PMC6575819 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of our review was to systematically assess available evidence on the effectiveness, safety and efficiency of a spring sensor-irrigated contact force (CF) catheter (THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH Catheter (ST)) for percutaneous ablation of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), compared with other ablation catheters, or with the ST with the operator blinded to CF data. DESIGN Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests improved clinical outcomes of AF ablation using CF-sensing catheters; however, reviews to date have included data from multiple, distinct CF technologies. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies comparing the use of ST versus other ablation catheters for the treatment of AF. A comprehensive search of electronic and manual sources was conducted. The primary endpoint was freedom from recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) at 12 months. Procedural and safety data were also analysed. RESULTS Thirty-four studies enrolling 5004 patients were eligible. The use of ST was associated with increased odds of freedom from AT at 12 months (71.0%vs60.8%; OR 1.454, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.88, p=0.004) over the comparator group, and the effect size was most evident in paroxysmal AF patients (75.6%vs64.7%; OR 1.560, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.24, p=0.015). Procedure and fluoroscopy times were shorter with ST (p=0.05 and p<0.01, respectively, vs comparator groups). The reduction in procedure time is estimated at 15.5 min (9.0%), and fluoroscopy time 4.8 min (18.7%). Complication rates, including cardiac tamponade, did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS Compared with the use of other catheters, AF ablation using the CF-sensing ST catheter for AF is associated with improved success rates, shorter procedure and fluoroscopy times and similar safety profile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Macle
- Department of Medicine, Institut De Cardiologie de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Diana Frame
- Real World Evidence (RWE), CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services Inc., Covington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Larry M Gache
- Real World Evidence (RWE), CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services Inc., Covington, Kentucky, USA
| | - George Monir
- Cardiology, Arrhythmia and Ablation Center, Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Scott J Pollak
- Cardiology, Arrhythmia and Ablation Center, Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Lee Ming Boo
- Clinical Research, Biosense Webster, Inc., Irvine, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nair GM, Yeo C, MacDonald Z, Ainslie MP, Alqarawi WA, Nery PB, Redpath CJ, Sadek M, Spence S, Green MS, Birnie DH. Three-year outcomes and reconnection patterns after initial contact force guided pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2017. [PMID: 28635046 DOI: 10.1111/jce.13280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Contact force (CF) sensing is a novel technology used for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). We compared the single procedure success of CF-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with that of non-CF guided PVI during a 3-year (1,095 days) follow up period and analyzed the pattern of pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection. METHODS A cohort of 167 subjects (68 CF vs. 99 non-CF) with paroxysmal AF were included in the study. Atrial arrhythmia (AA) recurrence was defined as documented AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia lasting >30 seconds and occurring after 90 days. RESULTS Subjects in the CF group showed a statistically nonsignificant improvement in AA free survival compared to those in the non-CF group (66.2% vs. 51.5%; P value: 0.06). A greater propensity for reconnection was noted around the right-sided PVs compared to left-sided PVs related in both catheter ablation groups. For example, in the CF group 36% of right-sided segments reconnected compared to 16% of left-sided segments (P value <0.01). CONCLUSIONS A greater propensity for reconnection was noted around the right sided PV segments in both the CF and non-CF groups. The explanation for this finding was related to greater catheter instability around the right sided veins. Further research is needed to explore the utility of a "real-time" composite indicator that includes RF energy, CF and catheter stability in predicting transmural lesion formation during catheter ablation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Girish M Nair
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Colin Yeo
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Zachary MacDonald
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Mark P Ainslie
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Wael A Alqarawi
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Pablo B Nery
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Calum J Redpath
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Mouhannad Sadek
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Stewart Spence
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - Martin S Green
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| | - David H Birnie
- Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada
| |
Collapse
|