Repeat catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established therapy that reduces AF burden, improves quality of life, and reduces the risks of cardiovascular outcomes. Although there are clear guidelines for the application of de novo catheter ablation, there is less evidence to guide recommendations for repeat catheter ablation in patients who experience recurrent AF. In this review, we examine the rationale for repeat ablation, mechanisms of recurrence, patient selection, optimal timing, and procedural strategies. We discuss additional important considerations, including treatment of comorbidities and risk factors, risk of complications, and effectiveness. Mechanisms of recurrent AF are often due to non-pulmonary vein (non-PV) triggers; however, there is insufficient evidence supporting the routine use of empiric lesion sets during repeat ablation. The emergence of pulsed field ablation may alter the safety and effectiveness of de novo and repeat ablation. Extrapolation of data from randomized trials of de novo ablation does not optimally inform efficacy in cases of redo ablation. Additional large, randomized controlled trials are needed to address important clinical questions regarding procedural strategies and timing of repeat ablation.

Relationship between anatomical characteristics of pulmonary veins and atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential relationship between anatomical characteristics of pulmonary veins (PVs) and atrial fibrillation recurrence (AFR) following radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), specifically focusing on PV diameter and cross-sectional orifices index (CSOA). The analysis was based on a comprehensive review of currently available literature, providing valuable insights for the prevention and treatment of AFR.

Methods

Data was collected from five databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane, spanning the period from 2004 to October 2022. The search strategy utilized Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to PV diameter, PV size, PV anatomy, and AFR. Indicators of PV diameter and CSOA from the included studies were collected and analyzed, with Weight mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) representing continuous variables.

Results

The meta-analysis included six studies. The results revealed that patients with AFR had a significant larger mean PV diameter compared to those without AFR (MD 0.33; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.66; P = 0.04; I2 = 33.80%). In a meta-analysis of two studies involving a total of 715 participants, we compared the diameters of the left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV), left inferior pulmonary vein (LIPV), right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV) between patients with AFR and patients without AFR. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in any of the four data items (all P > 0.05). Additionally, the pooled estimate revealed that LSPV-CSOA, LIPV-COSA, RSPV-COSA, and RIPV-CSOA were greater in the AFR group compared to the non-AFR group, but the differences were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

We found evidence supporting the notion that the PV diameter of patients who experienced AFR after RFCA was significantly larger than that of patients without AFR. The findings suggested that the PV diameter could serve as a potential predictor of the risk of AFR following RFCA.

Impact of pulmonary veins anatomy on the outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the era of contact force-sensing ablation catheters

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) has become the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF). PVI durability is influenced by many factors including PVs anatomy. Data regarding the influence of PVs anatomical variations on the outcomes of PAF ablation in the era of contact force-sensing ablation catheters are scarce and contradictory.

METHODS

Consecutive patients referred to our center for a first ablation of PAF using radiofrequency (RF) were included. PVs anatomy was classified into 3 groups: typical anatomy (4 distinct veins), left common ostium (LCO), and right accessory PV (RAPV). The primary outcome was recurrence of atrial arrhythmia episode during a 12-month follow-up after ablation.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-three patients were included (mean age 58.4 ± 10.8 years and 70.9% male). Among this cohort, 141 patients (63.2%) had typical PV anatomy, 53 (23.8%) had a LCO, and 29 (13.0%) had a RAPV. The existence of a RAPV was not associated with a higher rate of AF recurrences (22 (14.3%) vs. 7 (10.1%), p = 0.519). After multivariate analysis, the presence of an LCO did not appear to be associated with the AF recurrence rate at 12 months (OR = 1.69, 95%CI 0.95-2.49, p = 0.098). Maintenance of antiarrhythmic drugs after ablation was the only factor independently associated with a decreased risk of AF recurrence at 12 months (OR = 0.76, 95%CI 0.60-0.97, p = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the presence of an LCO or a RAPV is not associated with a higher rate of AF recurrence at 12 months after radiofrequency PVI using contact force-sensing catheters in PAF patients.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in a Patient with Cor Triatriatum Sinister and Left Common Pulmonary Vein: Impact of Left Atrium Anatomy on Ablation Approach

Atrial fibrillation is the most common presentation in adult patients with cor triatriatum sinister. The key to successful and safe catheter ablation in these patients is an accurate exploration and thorough understanding of the left atrial anatomy, both before and during the procedure. Catheter manipulation is highly dependable on left atrial anatomy, including the interatrial septum, insertion of pulmonary veins and cor triatriatum membrane. Anatomical variants such as the left common pulmonary trunk may influence the ablation approach and outcome. We report the case of a 52-year-old patient with cor triatriatum sinister and the left common pulmonary vein variant who underwent successful high-power, short-duration catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Impact of the left common ostium following pulmonary vein isolation in AF : Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Purpose

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) through catheter ablation is the basis for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The left common ostium (LCO) is a high prevalence anatomical variation and has conflicting results in the effects on the prognosis following ablation. We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies that compared the arrhythmia recurrence rate after radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation balloon between patients with normal pattern pulmonary vein and patients with LCO.

Methods and Results

Results were pooled using a fixed or random effect, at the discretion of heterogeneity (>25%), in addition, we associated subgroup analysis in these cases and when clinically indicated. Fourteen non‐randomized studies totaling 3278 patients were included. In analyses using the two energies all patients: OR 1.01 (95% CI 0.84–1.23; P = .90, I² = 67%) and excluding patients with any type of persistent AF (PeAF) and those submitted to linear atrial lesion (LAL) OR 0.80 (95% CI 0.52–1.22; P = .30, I² = 71%). Using CRYO: all patients OR 1.34 (95% CI 1.03–1.74; P = .03, I² = 0%). Using RF: all patients—OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.32–0.95; P = .03, I² = 49%); excluding studies with long duration PeAF and the performance of LAL concomitant—OR 0.45 (95% CI 0.23–0.91; P = .03, I² = 44%).

Conclusion

The results suggest a better prognosis in patients with LCO, submitted to PVI without additional LAL under RF energy in paroxysmal AF and short‐duration PeAF. In patients undergoing CRYO, the presence of LCO suggests a worse prognosis.

Unique Left Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Straight Common Trunk Based on Longitudinal Conduction of Left Lateral Ridge

BACKGROUND

A left common pulmonary vein (LCPV) is the most common anatomical variation in the pulmonary vein (PV) and often influences strategies of PV isolation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Our objective was to elucidate the electrical properties of the specific shape of LCPV and to apply it to an ablation procedure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We investigated consecutive 12 out of 204 paroxysmal AF patients who had the shape of a straight common trunk in LCPV defined by the formation of a single conduit with parallel cranial and caudal walls after the coalescence of superior and inferior pulmonary veins on the distal side. The distance between the top of the bifurcation of LPVs and the level coinciding with the middle of the anterior wall of LCPV (left lateral ridge: LLR) was more than 10 mm in all the patients. The activation pattern of the LLR showed longitudinal conduction without outside connections. All the LCPV except one were successfully isolated without ablating the LLR (C-shape ablation). Only one patient had AF recurrence during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The LLR in LCPV with a straight common trunk has longitudinal conduction without outside connections, which permits the isolation of LCPV without ablating LLR. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Orientation of the right superior pulmonary vein affects outcome after pulmonary vein isolation

AIMS

Controversial results have been published regarding the influence of pulmonary vein (PV) anatomical variations on outcomes after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, no data are available on the impact of PV orientation on the long-term success rates of point-by-point PVI. We sought to determine the impact of PV anatomy and orientation on atrial fibrillation (AF)-free survival in patients undergoing PVI using the radiofrequency point-by-point technique.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively included 448 patients who underwent initial point-by-point radiofrequency ablation for AF at our department. Left atrial computed tomography angiography was performed before each procedure. PV anatomical variations, ostial parameters (area, effective diameter, and eccentricity), orientation, and their associations with 24-month AF-free survival were analysed. PV anatomical variations and ostial parameters were not predictive for AF-free survival (all P > 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that female sex (P = 0.025) was associated with higher rates of AF recurrence, ventral-caudal (P = 0.002), dorsal-cranial (P = 0.034), and dorsal-caudal (P = 0.042) orientation of the right superior PV (RSPV), on the other hand, showed an association with lower rates of AF recurrence, when compared with the reference ventral-cranial orientation. On multivariate analysis, both female sex [odds ratio (OR) 1.83, 95% CI 1.15-2.93, P = 0.011] and ventral-caudal RSPV orientation, compared with ventral-cranial orientation, proved to be independent predictors of 24-month AF recurrence (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19-0.71, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Female sex and ventral-caudal RSPV orientation have an impact on long-term arrhythmia-free survival. Assessment of PV orientation may be a useful tool in predicting AF-free survival and may contribute to a more personalized management of AF.

Presence of a left common pulmonary vein and pulmonary vein anatomical characteristics as predictors of outcome following cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

PURPOSE

Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is a common therapy for patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). However, initial CBA is successful in only 70-80% of patients. The role of an atypical left common PV (LCPV) and PV anatomical indices on CBA outcomes remains unclear.

METHODS

We followed 80 patients (age 60.7 ± 9.7, 31 % women) with PAF undergoing CBA for 1-year post-procedure for the development of recurrent atrial arrhythmias (AA). Recurrence was assessed by documented AA on EKG or any form of long-term cardiac rhythm monitoring. The presence of an LCPV and individual PV diameters were evaluated using cardiac CT. Based on the maximum and minimum PV ostial diameters, the eccentricity index (EI), ovality index (OI), and PV ostial area (PVA) were calculated for all the veins. A multivariable Cox-proportional hazard model assessed whether the presence of an LCPV or PV anatomic indices (EI, OI, and PVA) predicted recurrence of AA following CBA.

RESULTS

After 1-year follow-up, 19 (23.7%) participants developed recurrence of AA. On multivariable regression, the presence of an LCPV did not predict the recurrence of AA (p = 0.38). Among the PV anatomical indices, on univariate analysis, only the area of the left inferior PV showed a trend towards predicting recurrence, though this result was not significant on multivariate analysis (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with PAF, neither the presence of an LCPV nor individual PV anatomical indices predicted recurrence of AA following CBA.

The Impact of Pulmonary Vein Anatomy on the Outcomes of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Background and Objectives: Prior studies have identified a number of predictors for Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation success, including comorbidities, the type of AF, and left atrial (LA) size. Ectopic foci in the initiation of paroxysmal AF are frequently found in pulmonary veins. Our aim was to assess how pulmonary vein anatomy influences the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients diagnosed with paroxysmal or persistent AF underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) between November 2016 and December 2017. All of these patients underwent computed tomography before AF ablation. PV anatomy was classified according to the presence of common PVs or accessory PVs. Several clinical and imagistic parameters were recorded. After hospital discharge, all patients were scheduled for check-up in an outpatient clinic at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after RFCA to detect AF recurrence. Results: A total of 80 consecutive patients, aged 53.8 ± 9.6 years, 54 (67.5%) men and 26 (32.5%) women were enrolled. The majority of patients had paroxysmal AF 53 (66.3%). Regular PV anatomy (2 left PVs, 2 right PVs) was identified in 59 patients (73.7%), a left common trunk (LCT) was detected in 15 patients (18.7%), an accessory right middle pulmonary vein (RMPV) was found in 5 patients (6.25%) and one patient presented both an LCT and an RMPV. The median follow-up duration was 14 (12; 15) months. Sinus rhythm was maintained in 50 (62.5%) patients. Age, gender, antiarrhythmic drugs, and the presence of cardiac comorbidities were not predictive of AF recurrence. The diagnosis of persistent AF before RFCA was more closely associated with an increase in recurrent AF after RFCA than after paroxysmal AF (p = 0.01). Longer procedure times (>265 minutes) were associated with AF recurrence (p = 0.04). Patients with an LA volume index of over 48.5 (mL/m²) were more likely to present AF recurrence (p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis of recurrence risk showed that only the larger LA volume index and variant PV anatomy were independently associated with AF recurrence. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that an increased volume of the left atrium was the most important predictive factor for the risk of AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Variant anatomy of PV was the only other independent predictive factor associated with a higher rate of AF recurrence.