Clinical outcome of very late recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION: High recurrence rate is still a major problem associated with ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Most of the recurrences occur within 6 months after ablation. The characteristics of very late recurrent AF (>12 months after ablation) have not been reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred seven patients with drug-refractory AF underwent successful focal ablation or isolation of AF foci. After the first ablation procedure, Holter monitoring and event recorders were used to evaluate symptomatic recurrent AF. A second ablation procedure was recommended if the antiarrhythmic drugs could not control recurrent AF. During long-term follow-up (mean 30 +/- 11 months, up to 51 months), 70 patients had recurrent AF, including 13 patients (6%) with very late (>12 months) recurrent AF (group 1) and 57 patients (28%) with late (within 12 months after ablation) recurrent AF (group 2). Group 1 patients had a significantly lower incidence of multiple (> or = 2) AF foci (23% vs 63%, P = 0.02) than group 2 patients. In addition, the incidence of antiarrhythmic drugs use (38% vs 84%, P = 0.001) to maintain sinus rhythm after the first episode of recurrent AF was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 patients, and the incidence of a second intervention procedure (8% vs 35%, P = 0.051) tended to be lower in group 1 than group 2 patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of very late recurrent AF after ablation of paroxysmal AF is very low, and the clinical outcome of patients with very late recurrent AF is benign.     

Acquired pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION: Elimination of the initiating focus within the pulmonary vein (PV) using radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is a new treatment modality for treatment of drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. However, information on the long-term safety of RF ablation within the PV is limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 102 patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation and at least one initiating focus from the PV, series transesophageal echocardiography was performed to monitor the effect of RF ablation on the PV. There were 66 foci in the right upper PV and 65 foci in the left upper PV. Within 3 days of ablation, 26 of the ablated right upper PVs (39%) had increased peak Doppler flow velocity (mean 130+/-28 cm/sec, range 106 to 220), and 15 of the ablated left upper PVs (23%) had increased peak Doppler flow velocity (mean 140+/-39 cm/sec, range 105 to 219). Seven patients had increased peak Doppler flow velocity in both upper PVs. No factor (including age, sex, site of ablation, number of RF pulses, pulse duration, and temperature) could predict PV stenosis after RF ablation. Three patients with stenosis of both upper PVs experienced mild dyspnea on exertion, but only one had mild increase of pulmonary pressure. There was no significant change of peak and mean flow velocity and of PV diameter in sequential follow-up studies up to 16 (209+/-94 days) months. CONCLUSION: Focal PV stenosis is observed frequently after RF catheter ablation applied within the vein, but usually is without clinical significance. However, ablation within multiple PVs might cause pulmonary hypertension and should be considered a limiting factor in this procedure.     

Demographic profile of patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Demographic Profile of Patients Undergoing AF Ablation. Background: Catheter ablation is a widely accepted treatment for drug refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of our study was to examine secular trends in the demographic profile of patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods and Results: Data for 792 patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF at Johns Hopkins Hospital between years 2001 and 2009 were systematically reviewed. There has been a steady increase in total number of procedures and repeat procedures. The majority of patients undergoing AF ablation at our institution are men (76.6%). Females accounted for 36.0% of patients in 2001 versus 19.6% in 2009. A total of 93.3% of patients undergoing AF ablation were Caucasian. The mean age of patients has increased over time (52 years in 2001 to 60 years in 2009, P = 0.015) and the number of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) used prior to first ablation has decreased (2.3 to 1.2, P = 0.009). In addition, the mean duration of AF prior to first referral has decreased (7.8 years in 2001 vs 4.2 years in 2009). Conclusion: There is a significant gender and racial disparity in patients undergoing AF ablation favoring Caucasian men that warrants further investigation. We also observed a significant increase in age of patients, decrease in number of AADs, and increase in number of repeat procedures. These results are important when interpreting outcomes of AF ablation and designing future trials. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 994‐998, September 2011)     

心房颤动导管消融术后早期心力衰竭12例临床分析

目的:认识心房颤动(房颤)导管消融术的另一种并发症--急性心力衰竭(心衰).方法:回顾分析12例既往无心力衰竭史、因房颤经导管消融术后早期发生急性心衰患者的临床资料.结果:1 032例房颤导管消融术后48 h内发生急性心衰12例(1.2%),12例中慢性房颤11例,阵发性房颤1例.临床表现为呼吸急促12例(100%),其中端坐呼吸8例(67%),剧烈胸痛2例(17%),发热(37.5℃～38.5℃)6例(50%),肺部湿性啰音12例(100%),心室率增快12例(100%),低血压1例(8%),胸片提示胸腔积液3例(25%)、肺水肿改变4例(33%),经胸超声心动图提示少量心包积液5例(42%),白细胞计数大于10.0×109/L 7例(58%),左室射血分数(59.6±3.2)%.所有患者于治疗后2～7 d内临床症状消失.结论:房颤导管消融术后早期可能会发生心衰,合理的支持治疗可在短期内改善病情.     

Pulmonary vein stenosis complicating catheter ablation of focal atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION: A recently described focal origin of atrial fibrillation, mainly inside pulmonary veins, is creating new perspectives for radiofrequency catheter ablation. However, pulmonary venous stenosis may occur with uncertain clinical consequences. This report describes a veno-occlusive syndrome secondary to left pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency catheter ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 36-year-old man who experienced daily episodes of atrial fibrillation that was refractory to antiarrhythmic medication, including amiodarone, was enrolled in our focal atrial fibrillation radiofrequency catheter ablation protocol. The left superior pulmonary vein was the earliest site mapped, and radiofrequency ablation was performed. Atrial fibrillation was interrupted and sinus rhythm restored after one radiofrequency pulse inside the left superior pulmonary vein. Atrial fibrillation recurred and a new procedure was performed in an attempt to isolate (26 radiofrequency pulses around the ostium) the left superior pulmonary vein. Ten days later, the patient developed chest pain and hemoptysis related to severe left superior and inferior pulmonary veins stenosis. Balloon angioplasty of both veins was followed by complete relief of symptoms after 2 months of recurrent pulmonary symptoms. The patient has been asymptomatic for 12 months, without antiarrhythmic drugs. CONCLUSION: Multiple radiofrequency pulses applied inside the pulmonary veins ostia can induce severe pulmonary venous stenosis and veno-occlusive pulmonary syndrome.     

EnSite NavX指导下无肺静脉造影的阵发性心房颤动导管消融术

目的探讨不作肺静脉造影行阵发性心房颤动(房颤)环肺静脉电隔离术的有效性和可行性。方法 34例阵发性房颤患者分为无肺静脉造影组(n=18)和肺静脉造影组(n=16),无肺静脉造影组不作肺静脉造影,余步骤与肺静脉造影组相同,两组均在EnSiteNavX三维标测系统指导下重建左心房及肺静脉,再分别行左、右环肺静脉电隔离术,消融终点为肺静脉与心房完全电隔离。结果无肺静脉造影组消融术时间[(92.78±19.46)minvs.(106.44±20.18)min,P0.05]及X-线曝光时间[(11.47±4.32)minvs.(16.06±8.72)min,P0.05]少于肺静脉造影组,差异有统计学意义。两组左心房三维重建时间[(6.22±2.65)minvs.(6.31±3.00)min,P0.05]、左、右侧环肺静脉消融时间[(21.61±7.66)minvs.(20.50±8.09)min,P0.05;(17.33±10.22)minvs.(17.48±7.86)min,P0.05]及即刻消融成功率[100%(18/18)vs.100%(16/16),P0.05]比较,差异无统计学意义。结论不作肺静脉造影,仅在三维标测系统指导下行房颤消融治疗,可达到相同消融效果,可节省消融术及X-线曝光时间,减少手术步骤、耗材和费用。     

Impact of catheter ablation of the coronary sinus on paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of catheter ablation of the coronary sinus (CS) region during paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).
Background: The CS musculature and connections have been implicated in the genesis of atrial arrhythmias.
Methods: Forty-five patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF were studied. The CS was targeted if AF persisted after ablation of pulmonary veins and selected left atrial tissue. CS ablation was commenced endocardially by dragging along the inferior paramitral left atrium. Ablation was continued from within the vessel (epicardial) if CS electrograms had cycle lengths shorter than that of the left atrial appendage.
RF energy was limited to 35 W endocardially and 25 W epicardially. The impact of ablation was evaluated on CS electrogram cycle length (CSCL) and activation sequence, atrial fibrillatory cycle length measured in the left atrial appendage (AFCL) and on perpetuation of AF.
Results: Endocardial ablation significantly prolonged CSCL by 17 ± 5 msec and organized the CS activation sequence (from 13% of patients before to 51% after ablation); subsequent epicardial ablation further increased local CSCL by 32 ± 27 msec (P < 0.001). AFCL prolonged significantly both during endocardial and epicardial ablation (median: 152 to 167 msec P = 0.03) and was associated with AF termination in 16 (35%) patients (46% of paroxysmal and 30% of persistent AF). AFCL prolongation ≥5 msec and/or AF termination was associated with more rapid activity in the CS region originally: P ≤ 0.04.
Conclusion: Catheter ablation targeting both the endocardial and epicardial aspects of the CS region significantly prolongs fibrillatory cycle length and terminates AF persisting after PV isolation in 35% of patients.     

峡部依赖性心房扑动对心房颤动发作的影响

目的观察导管射频消融治疗峡部依赖性心房扑动(房扑)对心房颤动(房颤)发作的影响,进一步探讨房扑和房颤的关系。方法86例房扑患者,其体表心电图均提示典型房扑,男性54例、女性32例,年龄50.0±15.6(11～74)岁,病程5.6±6.4(0.1～30)年。将所有患者分成A、B两组,A组为房扑合并房颤患者,共25例;B组为不合并房颤患者,共61例;其中A组同时合并房室结折返性心动过速(AVNRT)3例,房室折返性心动过速(AVRT)4例,阵发性房性心动过速(PAT)10例;B组合并房室结折返性心动过速5例,房室折返性心动过速7例。对峡部依赖性房扑者,线性消融下腔静脉—三尖瓣环峡部致双向传导阻滞;房室折返性心动过速者行旁道消融术;房室结折返性心动过速者行慢径改良术,阵发性房速术中持续或可诱发,予以射频消融。平均随访27.1±14.1(6～63)月。结果A组25例患者中,术后68%(17/25)患者不再发作房颤;其余8例仍有房颤发作,其中1例为术前同时合并房室折返性心动过速,5例为合并阵发性房速。61例术前不合并房颤者,术后随访中有16.4%(10/61)新发房颤。86例患者中,6例因病态窦房结综合征行起搏器植入术,随访未诉心悸、胸闷,心电图为窦性心律与起搏心律交替出现。结论房扑可能与房颤具有共同的发生基质,也可以是房颤的触发因素,成功消融房扑后可以阻止房颤的发生。但房颤发生机制多样,消融峡部依赖性房扑,仍会发生房颤,术前合并房颤或房速者是最强的预测因子。     

心房颤动射频消融术后复发危险因素的研究进展

心房颤动（房颤）是临床最常见的心律失常类型之一,给患者和社会带来沉重的生活和经济负担。尽管目前射频消融术已经成为房颤的重要治疗手段,但术后复发一直是医生面临的难题,也成为研究者关注的热点。本文总结了国内外有关房颤射频消融术后复发危险因素的最新研究进展。     

环肺静脉与复合消融治疗阵发性心房颤动的远期疗效

目的比较环肺静脉消融和复合消融治疗阵发性心房颤动(paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,PAF)后长期随访的成功率,探讨导管消融治疗PAF的路线和终点。方法选择2006年1月至2007年8月接受导管消融治疗的PAF患者141例,分为两组。第1组:单纯环肺静脉消融,在三维心脏电解剖标测系统(CARTO系统)和单环状标测电极(LASSO电极)指导下行同侧环肺静脉左心房线性消融至左心房-肺静脉电活动双向传导阻滞;第2组:复合消融,即在环肺静脉消融后,常规进行心房高频刺激,根据术中是否有自发或诱发的房性心律失常而选择右心房峡部、左心房峡部、左心房顶部、冠状窦左心房心内膜面、左心耳部、碎裂电位、冠状静脉窦内消融或上腔静脉隔离等附加消融方式。比较两组的消融结果和并发症发生情况。结果第1组消融过程中6例出现自发的持续房性心动过速(auricular tachycardia,AT)转为复合消融。结果按照实际治疗原则进行分析,即第1组64例,第2组77例。两组性别、年龄、病程、左心房内径、左心室射血分数及手术时间比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。第2组X-线曝光时间较第1组显著增加,差异有统计学意义[(39.8±14.2)min vs.(33.1±10.7)min,P=0.002]。随访(39.2±5.2)个月,两组单次消融术后房性心律失常复发率比较,差异无统计学意义[23.4%(15/64)vs.26.0%(20/77),P=0.729]。第1组5例AT和4例PAF接受重复消融,其中5例AT及2例PAF治疗成功;第2组6例AT和6例PAF接受重复消融,其中5例AT和3例PAF治疗成功。两组两次或三次消融后总的窦性心律维持率比较,差异无统计学意义[87.5%(56/64)vs.84.4%(65/77),P=0.603)。结论导管消融治疗PAF的远期成功率高;环肺静脉消融与复合消融治疗PAF的远期效果相似,但X-线曝光时间相对较短,损伤较小;对于复发的患者,寻找肺静脉以外的靶点可进一步提高导管消融治疗PAF的成功率。     

射频消融治疗老年房扑房颤患者疗效及安全性的评价

目的展望射频消融治疗老年房扑房颤患者的前景，评价其安全性及疗效。方法回顾3年来在北京大学第一医院进行射频消融的年龄在60～82岁的房扑房颤患者的病例。结果46名患者中1例因不能耐受未能继续消融治疗；20例房扑患者全部消融成功，成功率100％，随访1～30个月无复发；25例房颤患者消融肺静脉78条，以肺静脉电位消失为标准，成功率96％，随访1～30个月，5例复发，成功率80．0％。5例复发患者药物控制心室率；1例出现急性心脏压塞，治疗后好转。将该组并发症的发生率与同期在北京大学第一医院因阵发性室上性心动过速行射频消融的年龄16～60岁组并发症的发生率进行比较，差异无显著性。结论射频消融因其安全性、有效性，对老年患者可明显减少药物副作用，提高生活质量，可成为无禁忌房扑房颤患者的一线治疗方案。     

经导管环肺静脉左房线性消融术对阵发性心房颤动患者左心房结构和功能的影响

目的: 评价环肺静脉左房线性消融术对阵发性心房颤动（房颤）患者左心房结构和功能的影响。方法: 阵发性房颤患者33例,Carto系统下行环肺静脉左房线性消融术,应用超声心动图测定其消融术前1～3 d、术后1、3、6、12个月静息时窦性心律下左心房内径、容积指标、二尖瓣口A波速度峰值(VA)及E波速度峰值(VE),并计算左心房排空分数,分析消融术前后左心房结构和功能的变化。结果: 33例阵发性房颤患者均成功施行环肺静脉左房线性消融术,1年治愈率82%。左房前后径消融术后1个月较术前显著增大［(44±4)mm vs. （41±3）mm,P<0.01］,术后3个月、6个月时与术前比较无显著差异,随访1年时左房前后径较术前有显著减小［（40±3）mm vs. (41±3)mm,P<0.05］。与左心房辅助泵功能相关的左心房最小容积,术后1个月显著增大,左心房主动排空分数、左心房总排空分数显著降低（P<0.05),术后3个月时恢复到术前水平。VA术后均低于术前（P<0.05,P<0.01）,而VE/VA术后1个月显著上升（P<0.05,P<0.01）,但在随后的随访中与术前无显著差异。 结论: 阵发性房颤患者左房环肺静脉线性消融术后近期左房前后径增大,辅助泵功能下降,术后3个月恢复至术前水平,术后1年左房结构可部分逆重构。     

冷冻球囊消融与射频消融对阵发性心房颤动患者心房重构的影响

目的:比较冷冻球囊消融(CBA)与射频消融(RFA)对阵发性心房颤动(房颤)患者心房重构的影响.方法:本研究选取在2014年5月-2017年5月于郑州大学第一附属医院因阵发性房颤行CBA或RFA治疗的患者.所有患者均于术前、术后半年、1年、2年和3年时行12导联心电图或24 h动态心电图和超声心动图检查.左心房电重构通...     

Approach and strategy for repeat catheter ablation of recurrent atrial fibrillation

Patients with atrial fibrillation often undergo repeat catheter ablation for the recurrence of tachyarrhythmia. If the pulmonary veins were isolated in prior procedure, the operator should focus on substrate homogenization with identification and ablation of only arrhythmogenic areas.     

The effect of left atrial remodeling after cryoballoon ablation and radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

BackgroundCryoballoon ablation (CBA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are the most common procedures used to treat refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) and are performed through pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Studies have shown that CBA can approximately match the therapeutic effects of RFA against AF. However, few studies have investigated the difference between CBA and RFA of the effects on left atrial remodeling for paroxysmal AF.ObjectiveAtrial remodeling is considered pivotal to the occurrence and development of AF, therefore we sought to assess the influence of atrial remodeling in patients with paroxysmal AF after CBA and RFA in this study.MethodsIn this nonrandomized retrospective observational study, we enrolled 328 consecutive patients who underwent CBA or RFA for refractory paroxysmal AF in May 2014 to May 2017 in our hospital. After propensity score matching, 96 patients were included in the CBA group, and 96 were included in the RFA group. Patients were asked to undergo a 12‐lead electrocardiogram, a 24‐h Holter monitor, and an echocardiogram and to provide their clinical history and symptoms at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years postprocedurally. Electrical remodeling of the left atrium was assessed by P wave dispersion (Pdis); structural remodeling was assessed by the left atrium diameter (LAD) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) during scheduled visits.ResultsAs of January 2020, compared with baseline, at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after ablation, the average changes in Pdis (∆Pdis), LAD (∆LAD), and LAVI (∆LAVI) were significant in both the CBA and RFA groups. Six months after ablation, ∆Pdis, ∆LAD, and ∆LAVI were greater in the CBA group than in the RFA group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in AF/flutter recurrence, but the AF/flutter‐free survival time of CBA group may be longer than RFA group after 2 years after ablation. A higher ∆Pdis, ∆LAD, or ∆LAVI at 1 year after ablation may increase AF/flutter‐free survival.ConclusionsAlthough CBA and RFA are both effective in left atrial electrical and structural reverse‐remodeling in paroxysmal AF, CBA may outperform RFA for both purposes 6 months after ablation. However, during long‐term follow‐up, there was no significant intergroup difference.     

经导管射频消融治疗老年阵发性心房颤动临床分析

目的评价射频消融治疗老年阵发性房颤患者的有效性和安全性。方法连续入选接受首次房颤射频消融术治疗的药物难治性阵发性房颤患者85例,按年龄大小分为老年人房颤组（≥60岁,45例）和非老年人房颤组（〈60岁,40例）,所有患者接受环肺静脉隔离术治疗。观察患者房颤的复发情况。结果通过（37.2±3.2）月的随访,85例患者中,共23例（27.1%）出现房颤复发,其中≥60岁与〈60岁年龄组在复发率上无显著性差异（12/45 vs 11/40,P=0.931）。85例患者中无1例出现消融相关严重并发症。结论经导管射频消融是治疗老年阵发性房颤的有效手段,其有效性及安全性与非老年人群并无临床差异。