Distortion of Right Superior Pulmonary Vein Anatomy by Balloon Catheters as a Contributor to Phrenic Nerve Injury

Introduction: Cryothermal, HIFU, and laser catheter-based balloon technologies have been developed to simplify ablation for AF. Initial enthusiasm for their widespread use has been dampened by phrenic nerve (PN) injury. The interaction between PN and pulmonary vein (PV) geometry contributing to PN injury is unclear.
Methods and Results: After right thoracotomy, the PN course along the epicardial right atrial surface was mapped directly in 10 dogs. The location of the PN and its relationship with the right superior (RS) PV, and potential RSPV surface distortions after balloon inflation were established by electroanatomic mapping. In 5 dogs, the PN was captured within the RSPV, but could not be stimulated in the remaining 5 dogs. The distance between the RSPV and the PN was significantly shorter in the captured group than in the noncaptured group (6.3 ± 3.1 mm vs 10.2 ± 3.2 mm, P < 0.001). Importantly, 96% of the captured sites within the RSPV were observed at a distance >5 mm into the PV. The inflated balloon surface anteriorly extended 5.6 ± 3.7 mm outside the PV diameter, with distortion of anatomy narrowing the distance from the balloon surface to the PN to 4.8 ± 2.3 mm. (Distance of the original RSPV-to-PN: 9.4 ± 2.7 mm, P < 0.001.)
Conclusion: PN injury with balloon technologies may stem from anatomic distortion of the PV orifice/PN relationship, through increasing contact or shortening the relative distance between the ablation site and the PN, even without displacement of the balloon into the PV. These data are important in the refinement of these technologies to improve procedural safety.     

Atrioesophageal Fistula During Cryoballoon Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

To date, there is 1 case report publication of AE fistula during the employment of the first‐generation cryoballoon (Gen‐1). Recently the Arctic Front Advance system (second‐generation cryoballoon) was introduced into the US and EU markets. For the purpose of peer education, we report a case of AE fistula that occurred during the utilization of the second‐generation cryoballoon (Gen‐2). Additionally, we review current best practices that may reduce the risk of AE fistula during any AF ablation procedure.     

冷冻球囊消融与射频消融实现肺静脉隔离治疗阵发性心房颤动的比较

【】 目的 探讨阵发性心房颤动(AF)患者采用冷冻球囊消融( CBA) 与射频导管消融(RFCA)治疗效果的差异。 方法 回顾性分析2014年6月至2015年6月在华中科技大学附属协和医院接受导管消融治疗的AF患者的住院病历资料、手术记录和门诊随访资料,并进行对比。 结果 76例AF患者纳入研究,CBA组及RFCA组各38例。CBA组与RFCA组术中即时肺静脉隔离(PVI)成功率( 92% vs 96%) 和主要并发症发生率( 2.6% vs 10.53%) 均无明显差异。CBA组手术时间［(105.5±22.2)min vs (136±25) min,P＜0.01］、X线曝光时间［(19.3±6.0) min vs (22.4±5.2) min,P＜0.05］及消融时间［( 36.9±12.8) min vs(47±20.1) min,P＜0.05］均短于RFCA组。两组患者主要并发症的发生率均较低,其中CBA组的发生率为2.6%,RFCA的发生率为10.53%,二者的差异无统计学意义。随访结果显示,CBA组12个月的复发率为2.63%,RFCA组12个月的复发率为7.89%,二者的差异无统计学意义。 结论在AF患者的导管治疗中,CBA组和RFCA组具有相似的手术安全性及有效性。     

Right Atrial Remodeling is More Advanced in Patients with Atrial Flutter Than with Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Remodeling in Atrial Flutter. Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are related arrhythmias with common triggers, yet in individual patients either AF or AFL often predominates. We performed detailed electrophysiologic (EP) and electroanatomic (EA) studies of the right atrium (RA) in patients with AF and AFL to determine substrate differences that may explain the preferential expression of AF/AFL in individual patients. Methods: Patients with AF (n = 13) were compared to patients with persistent AFL (n = 10). Detailed studies were performed, and 3‐dimensional electroanatomic mapping studies were created and the RA was divided into 4 segments for regional analysis. Global, septal, lateral, anterior, and posterior segments were compared for analysis of: bipolar voltage; proportion of low‐voltage areas and areas of electrical silence; conduction times; and proportion of abnormal signals (fractionated signals and double potentials). Results: Compared to patients with AF, patients with AFL had (1) lower bipolar voltage and an increase in the proportion of low‐voltage areas; (2) an increase in the proportion of complex signals; and (3) prolongation of activation times. Conclusions: Patients with AFL showed more advanced remodeling than patients with AF with slowed conduction, lower voltage areas with regions of electrical silence, and a greater proportion of complex signals, particularly in the posterior RA. These changes facilitate the stabilization of AFL and may explain why some patients are more likely to develop AFL as a sustained clinical arrhythmia. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23 pp. 1067‐1072, October 2012)     

心房颤动上腔静脉节段性电隔离方法及安全性评估

目的:分析心房颤动(房颤)上腔静脉节段性电隔离的具体手术方法,并评估其安全性.方法:入选2017年11月至2018年9月期间我院阵发性房颤患者50例,患者常规进行肺静脉隔离后,继续行上腔静脉隔离.消融前进行上腔静脉造影,显示上腔静脉与右心房解剖关系,并在CARTO系统运用PentaRay电极导管进行上腔静脉及右心房三维...     

Reduced Fluoroscopy During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Benefits of Robotic Guided Navigation

Reduced Fluoroscopy in PVI Using RN.   Background: Recently, a nonmagnetic robotic navigation system (RN, Hansen-Sensei™) has been introduced for remote catheter manipulation.
Objective: To investigate the influence of RN combined with intuitive 3-dimensional mapping on the fluoroscopy exposure to operator and patient during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in a prospective randomized trial.
Methods: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to undergo PVI either using a RN guided (group 1; n = 30, 20 male, 62 ± 7.7 years) or conventional ablation approach (group 2; n = 30, 14 male, 61 ± 7.6 years). A 3-dimensional mapping system (NavX™) was used in both groups.
Results: Electrical disconnection of the ipsilateral pulmonary veins (PVs) was achieved in all patients. Use of RN significantly lowered the overall fluoroscopy time (9 ± 3.4 vs 22 ± 6.5 minutes; P < 0.001) and reduced the operator's fluoroscopy exposure (7 ± 2.1 vs 22 ± 6.5 minutes; P < 0.001). The difference in fluoroscopy duration between both groups was most pronounced during the ablation part of the procedure (3 ± 2.4 vs 17 ± 6.3 minutes; P < 0.001). The overall procedure duration tended to be prolonged using RN without reaching statistical significance (156 ± 44.4 vs 134 ± 12 minutes, P = 0.099). No difference regarding outcome was found during a midterm follow-up of 6 months (AF freedom group 1 = 73% vs 77% in group 2 [P = 0.345]).
Conclusion: The use of RN for PVI seems to be effective and significantly reduces overall fluoroscopy time and operator's fluoroscopy exposure without affecting mid-term outcome after 6-month follow-up. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 6–12, January 2010)     

Comparison of Radiofrequency and Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Ablation for the Early and Late Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation

Objective Early recurrence (ER) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is expected to resolve within the recommended 3-month blanking period, irrespective of the ablation device used. To compare the occurrence and relationship of AF within the blanking period and subsequent late recurrence (LR) with radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CB) ablation. Methods A retrospective analysis of 294 patients (mean age=62±9, 70.0% male) undergoing PVI for drug-refractory paroxysmal AF was done. After categorizing the patients into the RF group (n=152) and the CB group (n=142), a group-wise comparison was done to investigate the impact of ER on LR throughout a 2-year follow-up. Results The groups were similar regarding the occurrence of ER (RF=22.4%, CB=24.6%, p=0.62), while LR was significantly higher in the RF group (p=0.003). ER was associated with LR in the RF group (p<0.01) but not in the CB group (p=0.08), while a significant independent association with an increased LR risk was observed [hazard ratio (HR) 6.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.56-10.51, p<0.01]. RF ablation also significantly increased the risk of LR (HR=2.93; 95% CI=1.64-5.23, p<0.01). Conclusion A recurrence of atrial arrhythmia is more frequent with RF-PVI than with CB-PVI for patients with paroxysmal AF. ER and RF-ablation are strong predictors for LR after the 3-month blanking period.