Several predictors of relapse after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been established, but assessing each patient's individual risk remains challenging. Our aim was to develop and ...validate a score to estimate the risk of AF recurrence after the first radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure.
Independent predictors of AF relapse were identified retrospectively in a two-centre registry of 1934 patients who underwent a first PVI procedure. Using the Cox regression hazard ratios of designated variables, a risk score was developed in a random sample of 50% of the patients (development cohort) and validated in the remaining (validation cohort) half. The accuracy and discriminative power of the predictive model were assessed in both subgroups. During a follow-up of 4.2 ± 2.7 years, 522 patients (27%) relapsed. Five independent predictors of AF recurrence were identified and included in the score: age >60 years (1 point), female sex (4 points), non-paroxysmal AF (2 points), current smoking (7 points) and indexed left atrial volume (1 point for each 10 mL/m2). The score showed good discriminative power (censored c-statistic of 0.75 in both cohorts). In the development group, AF relapse rates were 8, 11, and 17%/year for low (<6 points), intermediate (6-10 points), and high-risk patients (>10 points), respectively (P < 0.001). In the validation group, AF recurrence rates were 8, 11, and 18%/year, respectively (P < 0.001).
A simple risk score to estimate the rate of AF recurrence after ablation was developed and validated. An external assessment of its usefulness as a patient selection tool seems warranted.
Abstract Background The type of atrial fibrillation (AF) is the sole prognostic factor that affects the level of recommendation for catheter ablation in the current guidelines. Despite being ...recognized as a predictor of recurrence, relatively little emphasis is given to left atrium (LA) size. The aim of this study was to assess the relative importance of LA volume and type of AF as predictors of outcome after PVI. Methods We assessed 809 consecutive patients with symptomatic drug-refractory AF (584 male, mean age 57 ± 11 years) undergoing 905 percutaneous PVI procedures in two centers. LA volume was assessed by cardiac CT and/or electroanatomical mapping prior to AF ablation. The study endpoint was symptomatic and/or documented AF recurrence. Results The majority of patients (73.2%, n = 592) had paroxysmal AF. The mean indexed LA volume was 55 ± 20 ml/m2 . During a follow-up of 2.4 ± 1.7 years, there were 280 recurrences. The relapse rate of patients with paroxysmal AF in the highest tertile of LA volume was higher than the relapse rate of patients with non-paroxysmal AF in the lowest tertile (20.0% vs. 10.9% per person-year, respectively, p = 0.041). LA volume (HR 1.16 for each 10 ml/m2 , 95% CI 1.09–1.23, p < 0.001), female gender (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.19–2.03, p = 0.001), and non-paroxysmal AF (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.01–1.69, p = 0.039) were the only independent predictors of AF recurrence. Split-sample cross-validation resampling confirmed LA volume as the strongest predictor of relapse after PVI. Conclusion Left atrial volume seems to be more important than the type of atrial fibrillation in predicting the long-term success of pulmonary vein isolation.
Discrete potentials, low voltage and fragmented electrograms, have been previously reported at ablation site, in patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating in the right ...ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). The aim of this study was to review the electrograms at ablation site and assess the presence of diastolic potentials and their association with success.
We retrospectively reviewed the electrograms obtained at the radiofrequency (RF) delivery sites of 48 patients subjected to ablation of RVOT frequent PVCs. We assessed the duration and amplitude of local electrogram, local activation time, and presence of diastolic potentials and fragmented electrograms.
We reviewed 134 electrograms, median 2 (1-4) per patient. Success was achieved in 40 patients (83%). At successful sites the local activation time was earlier- 54 (-35 to -77) ms vs -26 (-12 to -35) ms, p<0.0001; the local electrogram had lower amplitude 1 (0.45-1.15) vs 1.5 (0.5-2.1) mV, p = 0.006, and longer duration 106 (80-154) vs 74 (60-90) ms, p<0.0001. Diastolic potentials and fragmented electrograms were more frequently present, respectively 76% vs 9%, p <0.0001 and 54% vs 11%, p<0.0001. In univariable analysis these variables were all associated with success. In multivariable analysis only the presence of diastolic potentials OR 15.5 (95% CI: 3.92-61.2; p<0.0001), and the value of local activation time OR 1.11 (95% CI: 1.049-1.172 p<0.0001), were significantly associated with success.
In this group of patients the presence of diastolic potentials at the ablation site was associated with success.
Although not routinely used, cardioneuroablation or modulation of the cardiac autonomic nervous system has been proposed as an alternative approach to treat young individuals with enhanced vagal tone ...and significant atrioventricular (AV) disturbances.
We report the case of a 42-year-old athlete with prolonged ventricular pauses associated with sinus bradycardia and paroxysmal episodes of AV block (maximum of 6.6 s) due to enhanced vagal tone who was admitted to our hospital for pacemaker implantation. Cardiac magnetic resonance and stress test were normal. Although he was asymptomatic, safety concerns regarding possible neurological damage and sudden cardiac death were raised, and he accordingly underwent electrophysiological study (EPS) and cardiac autonomic denervation. Mapping and ablation were anatomically guided and radiofrequency pulses were delivered at empirical sites of ganglionated plexi. Modulation of the parasympathetic system was confirmed through changes in heart rate and AV nodal conduction properties associated with a negative cardiac response to atropine administration.
After a follow-up of nine months, follow-up 24-hour Holter revealed an increase in mean heart rate and no AV disturbances, with rare non-significant ventricular pauses, suggesting that this technique may become a safe and efficient procedure in this group of patients.
Ainda que raramente utilizada, a cardioneuroablação ou modulação do sistema nervoso autónomo cardíaco tem vindo a ser proposta como abordagem alternativa ao tratamento de indivíduos jovens com tónus vagal aumentado e, consequentemente, perturbações significativas da condução auriculoventricular (AV).
É apresentado um caso de um homem, atleta de 42 anos, referenciado para implantação de pacemaker por bradicardia sinusal e bloqueio auriculoventricular (BAV) de predomínio noturno por provável hipertonia vagal. As pausas noturnas por bradicardia sinusal associada a BAV atingiam os 6,6 segundos. Exames de imagem e prova de esforço foram normais. O doente foi submetido a estudo eletrofisiológico (EP) e desenervação autonómica cardíaca. O mapeamento e a ablação foram guiados anatomicamente, tendo sido aplicada energia por radiofrequência, de forma empírica, em locais da aurícula esquerda e direita onde previamente tinha sido descrita a existência de plexos ganglionares. A modulação do sistema parassimpático foi confirmada através da variação da frequência cardíaca e das propriedades de condução nodal AV no final do procedimento e ainda através de resposta cardíaca negativa à administração de atropina.
No seguimento de nove meses, o Holter de 24 horas evidenciou aumento da frequência cardíaca média e ausência de perturbações significativos da condução AV, sugerindo que essa técnica poderá vir a constituir uma alternativa à implantação de pacemaker neste subgrupo de doentes.
Background Outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) are variable and the predictors of success require further elucidation since the identification of correctable risk factors could ...help to optimize therapy. We aimed to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) in the overall safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of AF, with emphasis on the use of cryoballoon ablation and novel oral anticoagulants. Methods and Results There were 2497 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF in 7 European high volume centers were stratified according to BMI (normal weight <25 kg/m
, pre-obese 25-30 kg/m
, obesity 30-35 kg/m
, and morbid obesity ≥35 kg/m
) and comparisons of procedural outcomes evaluated. Pre-obese and obese patients presented more comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea), and had higher rates of non-paroxysmal AF ablation procedures. The rate of atrial 12-month arrhythmia relapse increased alongside with BMI (35.2%, 35.7%, 43.6%, and 48.0%
<0.001). During a median follow-up of 18.8 months (interquartile range 11-28), after adjusting for all baseline differences, BMI was an independent predictor of relapse (hazard ratio=1.01 per kg/m
; 95% CI 1.01-1.02;
=0.002), adding incremental predictive value to obstructive sleep apnea. BMI was not a predictor for any of the reported complications. Using novel oral anticoagulants and cryoballoon ablation was safe and efficacy was comparable with vitamin-K antagonists and radiofrequency ablation. Conclusions Obese patients present with a more adverse comorbidity profile, more advanced forms of AF, and have lower chances of being free from AF relapse after ablation. Use of novel oral anticoagulants and cryoballoon ablation may be an option in this patient group.
Catheter ablation (CA) is effective in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Although some observational data suggest patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) have less favorable ...outcomes when compared to those with an ischemic etiology (ICM), direct comparisons are rarely reported. We aimed to compare the outcomes of VT ablation in a propensity-score matched population of ICM or NICM patients.
Single-center retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing VT ablation from 2012 to 2023. A propensity score (PS) was used to match ICM and NICM patients in a 1:1 fashion according to age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), NYHA class, electrical storm (ES) at presentation, and previous endocardial ablation. The outcomes of interest were VT-free survival and all-cause mortality.
The PS yielded two groups of 71 patients each (mean age 63±10 years, 92% male, mean LVEF 35±10%, 36% with ES at presentation, and 23% with previous ablation), well matched for baseline characteristics. During a median follow-up of 2.3 (interquartile range IQR 1.3–3.8) years, patients with NICM had a significantly lower VT-free survival (53.5% vs. 69.0%, log-rank p=0.037), although there were no differences regarding all-cause mortality (22.5% vs. 16.9%, log-rank p=0.245). Multivariate analysis identified NICM (HR 2.34 95% CI 1.32–4.14, p=0.004), NYHA class III/IV (HR 2.11 95% CI 1.11–4.04, p=0.024), and chronic kidney disease (HR 2.23 95% CI 1.25–3.96, p=0.006), as independent predictors of VT recurrence.
Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients were at increased risk of VT recurrence after ablation, although long-term mortality did not differ.
A ablação por cateter (CA) é eficaz no tratamento da taquicardia ventricular (TV). Embora dados observacionais sugiram que doentes com miocardiopatia não isquémica (NICM) apresentem piores resultados do que aqueles com etiologia isquémica (ICM), comparações diretas são escassamente reportadas. O objetivo foi comparar os resultados da ablação de TV numa população propensity-matched de doentes com NICM ou ICM.
Estudo retrospetivo unicêntrico de doentes submetidos ablação de TV, de 2012 a 2023. Usado propensity-score (PS) para emparelhar doentes com NICM e ICM numa proporção 1:1 de acordo com idade, sexo, fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda (FEVE), classe de NYHA, tempestade arrítmica à admissão e ablação endocárdica prévia. Os outcomes de interesse foram sobrevida livre de TV e morte por todas as causas.
O PS resultou em dois grupos de 71 doentes (idade 63 ± 10 anos, 93% do sexo masculino, FEVE 35 ± 10%, 36% com apresentação em tempestade arrítmica e 23% com ablação prévia). Durante um follow-up de 2,3 (1,3–3,8) anos, os doentes com NICM apresentaram menor sobrevida livre de TV (53,5% versus 69,0%, P log-rank = 0,037), apesar de não haver diferenças significativas em relação à mortalidade (22,5% versus 16,9%, P log-rank = 0,245). A análise multivariada identificou NICM (HR 2,34 IC 95% 1,32–4,14, P = 0,004), NYHA III ou IV (HR 2,11 IC 95% 1,11–4,04, P = 0,024) e doença renal crónica (HR 2,23 IC 95% 1,25–3,96, P = 0,006) como preditores independentes de recidiva de TV.
Doentes com NICM apresentam maior risco de recidiva de TV, apesar de não haver diferenças significativas na mortalidade a longo prazo.
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