Midterm results of stand-alone thoracoscopic epicardial ablation with box lesion for atrial fibrillation

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESThe short-term results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical ablation (VTSA) with box lesion have been highly variable, and the actual efficacy requires clarification through longer follow-ups. We aimed to report which patients might benefit more from VTSA with box lesion by longer follow-up.METHODSFrom September 2010 to November 2016, patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent VTSA with box lesion were screened. All enrolled patients visited the outpatient clinic and underwent 24-h Holter monitoring at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and annually thereafter.RESULTSA total of 91 consecutive patients [age, 58.0 (interquartile interval from 52.0 to 62.0) years; male, 71.4%] with paroxysmal (67%) or persistent/long-standing persistent (33%) AF were enrolled. After a median follow-up of 48 months (interquartile interval from 36 to 60 months), freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias without antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) was 76.5%, 66.0% and 66.0% for paroxysmal AF and 58.6%, 47.8% and 34.2% for persistent/long-standing persistent AF at 12, 36 and 60 months, respectively (P = 0.017). The preoperative left atrial diameter >40 mm (hazard ratio: 2.837, 95% confidence interval: 1.408–5.716; P = 0.004) and age >50 years (hazard ratio: 2.927, 95% confidence interval: 1.359–6.305; P = 0.006) were associated with recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias. In patients with paroxysmal AF and left atrial diameter ≤40 mm (n = 43), freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias without AADs was 81.4%, 74.3% and 74.3% at 12, 36 and 60 months, respectively.CONCLUSIONSIn patients with paroxysmal AF and left atrial diameter ≤40 mm, 5-year freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias without AADs was 74.3%, which was better than that in patients with left atrial diameter >40 mm. A larger sample size and improved study design are needed to confirm our conclusions.     

全胸腔镜下左心房后壁隔离治疗非瓣膜性心房颤动

目的 评价全胸腔镜下左心房后壁隔离法治疗非瓣膜性心房颤动(非瓣膜性房颤)的可行性和有效性.方法 2010年9月至2011年12月,应用全胸腔镜下左心房后壁隔离法治疗非瓣膜性房颤患者20例,其中男18例,女2例.年龄47 ～ 71岁,平均(61.5±5.6)岁.房颤病史2～ 25年,平均(6.2±4.0)年.术前心功能Ⅰ～Ⅱ级,左心室射血分数0.632±0.055.手术在全麻双腔气管插管下进行,胸腔镜下实施心外膜房颤射频消融术.术后应用胺碘酮和华法林3个月,术后1、3、6、12个月及每年随访患者并检查24 h动态心电图.结果 全组无死亡,无并发症,所有患者均顺利出院.平均手术(60.5±30.1) min,术后呼吸机使用(11.5±2.1)h.术后随访2.6～14.2个月,无阵发心悸、短脉、偏瘫等症状,无死亡或卒中,24 h动态心电图示患者均为窦性心律,房颤转复率100％.结论 初步经验显示全胸腔镜下左心房后壁隔离法治疗非瓣膜性房颤安全、有效.     

全胸腔镜左心房后入路射频迷宫手术治疗32例孤立性心房纤颤

目的 探讨全胸腔镜下左心房后入路射频迷宫手术治疗孤立性心房纤颤的实用性及安全性.方法 2010年2月至201 1年11月,采用全胸腔镜下左心房后入路射频迷宫手术治疗孤立性心房纤颤(房颤)患者32例,其中阵发性21例,持续性11例.左后胸壁3个胸腔镜套管切口入胸,完全胸腔镜下视野,肺门后、食管前、左心房后切开心包,暴露左心房,行左心房迷宫射频消融、左心耳切除手术.结果 全组无手术死亡及严重手术并发症,1例因右肺上静脉出血中转开胸手术.手术时间87～238 min,术后住院期间10例出现阵发性房颤,出院时均为窦性心律.均出院,随访4～20个月,31例为窦性心律,1例持续性房颤患者出现阵发性房扑.结论 胸腔镜左心房后入路左心房暴露好,可行左心房射频消融、左心耳切除手术,效果好、创伤小.     

Long-term follow-up of thoracoscopic ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESCatheter ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) remains challenging, with suboptimal success rates obtained following multiple procedures. Thoracoscopic ablation has shown effective at creating transmural lesions around the pulmonary veins and box; however, long-term rhythm follow-up data are lacking. This study aims, for the first time, to assess the long-term outcomes of thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box ablation in LSPAF.METHODSRhythm follow-up consisted of continuous rhythm monitoring using implanted loop recorders or 24-h Holter recordings. Rhythm status and touch-up interventions were assessed up to 5 years.RESULTSSeventy-seven patients with symptomatic LSPAF underwent thoracoscopic ablation in 2 centres. Freedom from atrial arrhythmias at 5 years was 50% following a single thoracoscopic procedure and 68% allowing endocardial touch-up procedures (performed in 21% of patients). The mean atrial fibrillation burden in patients with continuous monitoring was reduced from 100% preoperatively to 0.1% at the end of the blanking period and 8.0% during the second year. Antiarrhythmic drug use decreased from 49.4% preoperative to 12.1% and 14.3% at 2 and 5 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Continuous rhythm monitoring resulted in higher recurrence detection rates compared to 24-h Holter monitoring at 2-year follow-up (hazard ratio: 6.5, P = 0.003), with comparable recurrence rates at 5-year follow-up.CONCLUSIONSThoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation are effective in long-term restoration of sinus rhythm in LSPAF, especially when complemented by endocardial touch-up procedures, as demonstrated by the 68% freedom rate at 5 years. Continuous rhythm monitoring revealed earlier, but not more numerous documentation of recurrences at 5-year follow-up.     

An experimental sheep model used to develop an ablation procedure for chronic atrial fibrillation

Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of serious arrhythmia in humans. The therapeutic options offered are medical, surgical, and interventional. The surgical approach is justified in cases of atrial fibrillation already subjected to cardiac surgery for an associated organic heart disease such as a valvular or ischemic disease. A minimally invasive surgical approach is needed to extend the possibility of surgical treatment to patients with lone atrial fibrillation and those who cannot be treated by interventional procedures. This study aimed to use sheep as an experimental model in developing a minimally invasive surgical procedure for chronic atrial fibrillation therapy in humans. Methods The investigation was conducted with 20 animals using a video-assisted thoracoscopic approach, in which a flexible microwave energy ablating probe was positioned on the epicardial surface encircling the pulmonary veins. Results In 10 of the 20 animals, it was possible to encircle the pulmonary veins using the thoracoscopic approach in less than 3 h without major complications. Conclusion The epicardial ablation procedure using the thoracoscopic approach is feasible, safe, and reproducible.     

Preliminary results with a training program for thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation therapy

Background  Novel devices have been designed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) using minimally invasive approaches. This study aimed to determine the usefulness of a sheep model for training in cardiac surgical ablation using a minimally invasive approach in an experimental hands-on training course. Methods  After initial training using a laparoscopic pelvic trainer, 15 sheep were subjected to surgery by six thoracic surgeons attending a hands-on thoracoscopic course. Dissection to the posterior wall of the pulmonary veins was followed by insertion of a microwave device around both the caudal cava vein and the pulmonary veins. The complications were recorded, and the effectiveness of the surgery was evaluated by complete deployment of the microwave device. The animals were killed after completion of the procedure. Results  Isolation of the cava vein and the pulmonary veins and placement of the microwave probe were performed successfully for 10 animals using a complete thoracoscopic approach. Two animals died during the procedure. The main complications of the procedure were hemorrhage and difficulty isolating the blood vessels using a minimally invasive procedure. After the training period, the thoracoscopic surgical maneuvers were accurate and reliable. Conclusion  The technical feasibility of performing safe and efficient thoracoscopic placement of a microwave device in a sheep model was demonstrated in this study, suggesting that the results of this study are a useful contribution to the development of an animal model for surgical training and experimental cardiac surgeries.     

分站式杂交消融术与微创迷宫消融术治疗长程持续性心房颤动随机对照研究的中长期随访结果

目的 评价并比较长程持续性心房颤动(房颤)患者接受分站式杂交消融术治疗的有效性是否优于单纯微创迷宫消融术.方法 纳入广东省人民医院南海医院2017～ 2018年行微创迷宫消融术术后3个月维持窦性心律患者108例,其中男82例、女26例,年龄(56.5±9.4)岁.其中50例为杂交手术(HA)组,补充行导管射频消融术;另...     

Surgical or interventional treatment for adult patients with atrial septal defect and atrial fibrillation: A systemic review and meta-analysis

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in adult patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) who did not undergo ASD repair in the childhood is higher than that in general population. The primary aim of this study is to collect various related articles published in the literature and to compare the clinical outcomes with different treatment strategies by systemic reviews and meta-analyses. Of the 1299 initially screened articles, 13 studies with 213 patients were included in this study. All the patients were adults and the mean age at presentation was 55.7 years (range 34–79 years) and 47.8% of the patients were male. Regarding the types of the AFib, there were paroxysmal AFib in 62 patients, persistent AFib in 40 patients and long-standing persistent AFib in 111 patients. For adult patients with ASD and AFib, ASD closure is beneficial for most of the patients if significant left-to-right shunt exists but risk stratification cannot be overlooked because worsening of the functional class may be experienced by some patients post-operatively, especially for the patients with advanced age (>75 years). Reduction of prevalence of AFib could be observed after ASD closure alone which is mainly effective for paroxysmal AFib but not for persistent or long-standing persistent AFib. The successful ablation rate of paroxysmal AFib by catheter ablation is similar to that of all kinds of AFib by surgical ablation. Regarding AFib recurrence, bi-atrial surgical ablation is better than right-atrial ablation for the adult patients with ASD and AFib.     

射频消融迷宫术治疗心房纤颤

作者采用射频消融迷宫术治疗心房纤颤２０例，其中１９例合并风湿性二尖瓣病的患者，同时行瓣膜替换术，１例合并房间隔缺损患者进行修复。射频消融的路线采用小板井嘉夫的手术径路。术后１６例恢复窦性心律，占８０％，未恢复窦性心律的４例，２例为房颤，１例为房扑，另１例为结性心律。射频消融迷宫术耗时短，仅增加钳闭主动脉时间平均２０．５分钟，无术后出血的潜在危险。但术后７～１０天之内，有１８例出现过房颤、房扑、房速等室上性心律失常，可能由于射频消融不均匀，干扰心房的心电活动所致。     

心内膜合并心外膜改良迷宫射频消融治疗心房纤颤

目的评价心内膜合并心外膜改良迷宫射频消融治疗心房纤颤的疗效。方法对295例房颤患者进行射频消融,185例进行心内膜加心外膜消融,另110例行心内膜消融。其中男124例,女171例;年龄19—77岁,平均（52±11）岁。90．8％（268／295）患者为风湿性病变。瓣膜手术289例,19例合并冠状动脉旁路移植术。结果手术死亡10例（3．4％）,其中4例死于低心排综合征,5例死于多器官功能衰竭,1例死于脑疝。随访3～47个月,平均（28±5）个月。随访每组各有1例死亡,均死于神经系统并发症。全组术后窦性心律占77．3％（228／295）,其中心内膜组70．9％（78／110）;心内膜加心外膜组81．1％（150／185）（P〈0．05）。最近随访的259例,窦性心律191例,占73．7％,其中心内膜组66．0％（64／97）,心内膜加心外膜组78．4％（127／162）（P〈0．05）。组织学可见心内膜组心肌细胞凝固性坏死灶集中在心内膜侧,近心外膜的坏死灶减少。而心内膜加心外膜组可见病灶分布组织全层,局部有炎症细胞浸润,心肌细胞网状结构破坏消失。结论心内膜合并心外膜射频消融是一种简易、安全、有效的治疗房颤的外科方法,而且效果优于心内膜消融。     

导管射频消融治疗阵发性心房颤动两种术式疗效对比

目的比较节段性肺静脉电隔离术（SPVI）和环肺静脉前庭电隔离术（CPVA）对阵发性心房颤动射频消融治疗的临床疗效。方法选取68例行导管射频消融治疗的阵发性心房颤动患者,根据所采用的术式分为SPVI组（30例）和CPVA组（38例）,比较两组手术时间、X线暴露时间及复发率。结果CPVA组手术时间为（171．0±25．8）min,SPVI组为（168．2±21．7）min,两组比较差异无统计学意义（P：0．579）。CPVA组x线暴露时间为（38．5±8．4）min,SPVI组为（45．8±16．1）min,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P=0．019）。所有病例平均随访（17．1±7．8）个月,CPVA组复发率为5．3％,SPVI组为233％,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P=0．029）。两组均未发生严重并发症。结论导管射频消融治疗阵发性心房颤动,CPVA比SPVI具有更少的X线暴露时间和更低的复发率,且不增加手术时间和手术风险。     

胸腔镜辅助微创射频消融治疗持续性心房颤动

目的 回顾性研究胸腔镜辅助微创射频消融联合应用厄贝沙坦治疗持续性心房颤动的临床疗效.方法 对2006年1月至2009年12月收治的83例持续性心房颤动患者进行胸腔镜辅助微创射频消融治疗.其中男性58例,女性25例;年龄32～79岁,平均(57±11)岁.心房颤动病史平均(61±65)个月.随访1. 0～3.6年,平均(2.2±0.8)年.术后将患者随机分为厄贝沙坦组(n=42)与未用药组(n=41),比较两组心律转复情况.结果 全组无手术死亡,随访期间1例猝死.全组术后窦性心律38例(45.7%),起搏心律4例(4.9%),心房扑动、房性心动过速样心律5例(6.0%),心房颤动心律36例(43.4%).出院时窦性心律53例(63.9%),心房颤动心律24例(28.9%).末次随访窦性心律65例(80.2%),心房颤动/心房扑动心律14例(17.3%).厄贝沙坦组与未用药组的窦性心律和心房颤动/心房扑动心律分别为38例、3例和27例、11例,差异有统计学意义(P=0.017).Kaplan-Meier分析显示,厄贝沙坦组与未用药组随访中的非心房颤动/心房扑动心律差异有统计学意义(P=0.020).与未用药组相比,厄贝沙坦组心房颤动复发风险较低(RR=0.24,95%CI:0.087～0.637,P=0.004).结论 胸腔镜辅助微创射频消融治疗持续性心房颤动安全有效,术后联合应用厄贝沙坦可以有效降低心房颤动的复发.     

微创房颤术中电生理标测和迷走神经节消融技术的应用

目的 总结微创房颤术中电生理标测和迷走神经节消融技术的治疗效果.方法 2007年9月至2010年5月共185例阵发性心房颤动(房颤)患者接受微创胸腔镜辅助下射频消融术,术前、术后分别标测电生理,标测双向阻滞隔离效果,观察和总结迷走神经节的分布规律.随访记录患者术后窦性心律结果.结果 全组微创手术均顺利完成.住院期间无患者死亡,无永久起搏器置入等严重并发症.92％的阵发性房颤患者的肺静脉左心房电位可以被隔离,达到传入和传出双向阻滞.89％的患者为神经节标测阳性,阳性迷走神经节的分布呈一定规律,右肺静脉侧阳性神经节较左侧多.86％的患者迷走神经节分布在肺静脉前庭侧,而非肺静脉口侧.微创射频消融平均需5～6道方可达到肺静脉双向阻滞和去神经化.随访术后3、6、12、24个月的窦性心律分别为83.7％、82.4％、85.4％和83.9％.术后12个月的随访结果显示,消融术中迷走神经节阳性位点多的患者(＞6个)81.3％为窦性心律,而迷走神经节阳性位点较少(≤2个)的患者52.6％为实性心律.结论术中电生理隔离双向阻滞验证和迷走神经节标测与消融技术可获得良好的远期房颤消融效果.     

Incidence and clinical predictors of subsequent atrial fibrillation requiring additional ablation after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for typical atrial flutter

Objectives: We sought to investigate the incidence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation for typical atrial flutter and to determine the predictors for symptomatic atrial fibrillation that required a further additional dedicated ablation procedure.

Design: 127 patients underwent elective cavotricuspid isthmus ablation with the indication of symptomatic, typical atrial flutter. The occurrence of atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular events and the need for additional ablation procedures for symptomatic atrial fibrillation was assessed during long-term follow-up.

Results: The majority of patients (70%) manifested atrial fibrillation during a follow-up period of 68?±?24 months, and a significant proportion (42%) underwent one or multiple atrial fibrillation ablation procedures after an average of 26 months from the index procedure. Recurrence of typical atrial flutter was rare. Ten patients (8%) suffered cerebrovascular events. Earlier documentation of atrial fibrillation (OR 3.53), previous use of flecainide (OR 3.33) and left atrial diameter (OR 2.96) independently predicted occurrence of atrial fibrillation during the follow-up. A combination of pre- and intra-procedural documentation of atrial fibrillation (OR 3.81) and previous use of flecainide (OR 2.43) independently predicted additional atrial fibrillation ablation.

Discussion: Atrial fibrillation occurred in the majority of patients after ablation for typical atrial flutter and 42% of them required an additional dedicated ablation procedure. Pre- and intraprocedural documentation of atrial fibrillation together with previous use of flecainide independently predicted atrial fibrillation occurrence and a need for additional ablation. Anticoagulation treatment should be continued in high-risk patients in spite of clinical disappearance of atrial flutter.     

胸腔镜下房颤射频消融术中不同肺隔离措施的临床效果

目的比较左侧型双腔导管与支气管封堵器在胸腔镜下房颤射频消融术中的临床效果和安全性。方法选择拟行全麻下射频消融术的房颤患者48例,男26例,女22例,年龄45~65岁,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机分为双腔导管组(A组)和支气管封堵器组(B组),每组24例。记录插管前、定位准确即刻的MAP和HR;记录两组插管时间和单肺通气5min时的气道峰压(Ppeak);评估肺萎陷及手术视野暴露效果;记录拔管呛咳、声音嘶哑和咽喉痛等不良反应的发生情况。结果两组插管时间差异无统计学意义;与插管前比较,定位准确即刻两组MAP明显升高,HR明显加快,且A组明显高于和快于B组(P0.05)。左侧单肺通气时,A组Ppeak明显高于B组(P0.05),右上肺萎陷效果明显优于B组(P0.05);右侧单肺通气时,两组Ppeak差异无统计学意义。A组拔管呛咳、声音嘶哑和咽喉痛发生率明显高于B组(P0.05)。结论左侧型双腔导管与支气管封堵器均能满足胸腔镜下房颤射频消融术的手术需求,左侧型双腔导管肺隔离效果优于支气管封堵器,但其引起的插管应激反应更重,拔管呛咳、声音嘶哑和咽喉痛的发生率更高。     

Long-term outcomes of the current remote magnetic catheter navigation technique for ablation of atrial fibrillation

Objectives. Comparisons between remote magnetic (RMN) and manual catheter navigation for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation have earlier been reported with controversial results. However, these reports were based on earlier generations of the RMN system. Design. To evaluate the outcomes of the most current RMN system for AF ablation in a larger patient population with longer follow-up time, 112 patients with AF (78 paroxysmal, 34 persistent) who underwent AF ablation utilizing RMN (RMN group) were compared to 102?AF ablation patients (72 paroxysmal, 30 persistent) utilizing manual technique (Manual group). Results. The RMN group was associated with significantly shorter fluoroscopy time (10.4?±?6.4 vs. 16.3?±?10.9?min, p?p?p?p?Conclusion. Differing from previous reports, our data from a larger patient population and longer follow-up time demonstrates that compared to manual technique, the most current RMN technique is associated with better procedural and clinical outcomes for AF ablation.     

Experience with unipolar radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: The cut and sew Cox maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF), although effective, is not widely used because of technical complexity, prolonged duration and significant risk of postoperative bleeding. This study reviews our experience with the unipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure, which was used to create a modified maze to treat AF. METHODS: A retrospective review of 31 patients undergoing consecutive cardiac surgery who had concomitant RFA for AF over a 16-month period was carried out. A Cobra unipolar RFA probe (EPT; Boston Scientific, San Jose, CA, USA) was used to create a standard set of lesions. RESULTS: There were 20 men and 11 women (mean age, 66 +/- 9 years; range, 48-87 years). AF was continuous in 21 patients and intermittent in 10. The median duration of AF leading up to surgery was 48 months (range, 6 months-20 years). Left atrium was enlarged in 81% of the patients. Operations included mitral valve repair (7 patients), replacement (5), coronary artery bypass (10), aortic valve replacement (1) and combined procedures (8). There were no complications directly attributable to RFA. There were three early deaths. One patient required a permanent pacemaker. Median follow up was 22 months (range, 12-30 months). One patient died 2 years after the operation from a stroke. Cardioversion was attempted in five patients within 3 months of operation and was successful in four. At 2 years following the procedure, the probability of the patient remaining in sinus rhythm was 0.71 +/- 0.15. CONCLUSION: Surgical RFA can be carried out as a useful adjunct to conventional cardiac surgery. Although the results were satisfactory in this series, further studies are needed to refine the indication of the procedure and to assess its longer-term efficacy.     

外科射频消融术与经导管消融术治疗瓣膜病性房颤的疗效对比

目的 比较心内直视下射频迷宫术与介入导管消融术治疗合并心脏瓣膜病的心房颤动临床结果.方法 2004年1月到2006年3月因心脏瓣膜病合并心房颤动行瓣膜置换时加射频迷宫术60例,其中男34例,女26例;平均(57±11)岁.瓣膜置换术后在三维电解剖标测系统(CABTO)指导下进行经皮经导管环肺静脉消融治疗66例,其中男40例,女26例;平均(55±10)岁.结果 导管消融组随访(14±10)个月,窦性心律维持率64%.外科射频迷宫组随访(13±9)个月,窦性心律维持率75%,二者差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).对于病史小于1年、左房直径<50mm的阵发性房颤,导管消融组亦有较高的窦性心律维持率(分别为90%、82%).两组术后并发症无显著性差异.结论 射频迷宫术对瓣膜病合并心房颤动病人是简单、有效的治疗方法.若未行迷宫术,对于病史小于1年,左房直径小于50mm的阵发性心房颤动,瓣膜置换术后行经皮经导管消融术亦为一种有效的治疗方法.