Efficacy, High Procedural Safety And Rapid Optimization Of Cryoballoon Atrial Fibrillation Ablation In The Hands Of A New Operator

Regional variations in patient selection and procedural characteristics for cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation in the cryo global registry

BACKGROUND

Cryoballoon ablation is a well-established anatomical approach for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although widely adopted, regional variations in standards of care have not been well characterized.

METHODS

Patients with AF were enrolled in the Cryo Global Registry (NCT02752737) from May 2016 to Sept 2021 at 128 sites in 37 countries and treated with cryoballoon ablation according to local clinical practice. Baseline patient and procedural characteristics were summarized for 8 regions (Central Asia & Russia, East Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, South Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia). Serious procedure-related adverse events (SAEs) were evaluated in a subset of patients with ≥ 7 days of follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 3,680 patients undergoing initial PVI for AF were included. Cryoballoon ablation was commonly performed in patients with paroxysmal AF. Mean age ranged from 47 ± 12 years in the Middle East to 64 ± 11 years in East Asia. Mean procedure time was ≤ 95 min in all regions. Average freeze duration ranged from 153 ± 41 s in Southeast Asia to 230 ± 29 s in Central Asia & Russia. Acute procedural success was ≥ 94.7% in all geographies. In 3,126 subjects with ≥ 7 days of follow-up, 122 procedure-related SAEs were reported in 111 patients (3.6%) and remained low in all regions. One procedure-related death was reported during data collection.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite regional variations in patient selection and procedural characteristics, PVI using cryoballoon ablation was performed with high acute success and short procedural times around the world.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02752737.

Implementation of the multielectrode radiofrequency-balloon in real-world clinical practice-operator learning curve and procedural outcome at a high-volume center

Background

The novel multielectrode radiofrequency (RF) balloon catheter (HELIOSTAR™, Biosense Webster) is a new technology for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF), combining RF-ablation and 3D-mapping visualization with the concept of a "single-shot"-ablation device. This study evaluates the operator learning curve und procedural outcome during implementation of the multielectrode RF-balloon at a high-volume center.

Methods

The first 40 patients undergoing PVI by multielectrode RF-balloon catheter at Heidelberg University Hospital were included in this prospective study. Procedural outcome was analyzed over the course of increasing experience with the device.

Results

157/157 pulmonary veins (PVs) were successfully isolated with the RF-balloon catheter, in 73.2% by a single RF-application. Median time to isolation (TTI) was 11.0 s (Q1 = 8.0 s; Q3 = 13.8 s). Median procedure time was 62.5 min (Q1 = 50.0 min; Q3 = 70.5 min). LA-dwell time was 28.5 min (Q1 = 23.3 min; Q3 = 36.5 min). Median fluoroscopy duration was 11.6 min (Q1 = 10.1 min; Q3 = 13.7 min). No serious procedure-related complications were observed, apart from one case of unclear, post-procedural acute-on-chronic kidney injury. With increasing operator experience, an additional reduction in procedure duration was observed.

Conclusion

Rapid implementation of a "single shot"-ablation device combining RF-ablation and 3D-mapping can be achieved with high acute procedural efficacy and safety at a high-volume center. Previous experience with "single-shot" ablation devices may be advantageous for time-efficient introduction of the novel RF-balloon catheter into clinical practice.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier NCT0560361.

Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation-mediated rise of sinus rate in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Background

Modulation of the cardiac autonomic nervous system by pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) influences the sinoatrial nodal rate. Little is known about the causes, maintenance and prognostic value of this phenomenon. We set out to explore the effects of cryoballoon PVI (cryo-PVI) on sinus rate and its significance for clinical outcome.

Methods and results

We evaluated 110 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), who underwent PVI using a second-generation 28 mm cryoballoon by pre-, peri- and postprocedural heart rate acquisition and analysis of clinical outcome. Ninety-one patients could be included in postinterventional follow-up, indicating that cryo-PVI resulted in a significant rise of sinus rate by 16.5% (+ 9.8 ± 0.9 beats/min, p < 0.001) 1 day post procedure compared to preprocedural acquisition. This effect was more pronounced in patients with initial sinus bradycardia (< 60 beats/min.) compared to patients with faster heart rate. Increase of rate was primarily driven by ablation of the right superior pulmonary vein and for a subset of patients, in whom this could be assessed, persisted ≥ 1 year after the procedure. AF recurrence was neither predicted by the magnitude of the initial rate, nor by the extent of rate change, but postprocedural sinus bradycardia was associated with higher recurrence of AF in the year post PVI.

Conclusions

Cryo-PVI causes a significant rise of sinus rate that is more pronounced in subjects with previous sinus bradycardia. Patient follow-up indicates persistence of this effect and suggests an increased risk of AF recurrence in patients with postprocedural bradycardia.

Graphic abstract

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00392-020-01659-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.