Intracardiac Doppler echocardiographic quantification of pulmonary vein flow velocity: an effective technique for monitoring pulmonary vein ostia narrowing during focal atrial fibrillation ablation

INTRODUCTION: Ablation at the pulmonary vein (PV) ostium to isolate triggers for atrial fibrillation (AF) may induce PV narrowing. The AcuNav ultrasound catheter can image PV flow and quantify peak velocity and may be useful in assessing the degree of narrowing of PV ostia. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 93 patients with AF undergoing PV ostial ablation (up to 40 W, 52 degrees C, 90 sec), the ultrasound catheter was placed in the right atrium and PV peak flow velocities were measured during systole and diastole before and after ablation. Ostial PV electrical isolation was achieved in 216 of the 219 targeted PVs. The ultrasound catheter provided flow imaging of all PVs. The ostial peak flow velocities measured 56 +/- 12 cm/sec before ablation and increased to 101 +/- 22 cm/sec after ablation (P < 0.001). Peak velocity >100 cm/sec was detected in 103 (47%) of 219 and > or = 158 cm/sec (estimated pressure gradient 10 mmHg) with turbulent flow features, in 7 (3.2%) of 219 PVs. The highest velocity detected in one PV was 211 cm/sec (17.7 mmHg). Follow-up ultrasound catheter measurements were obtained in 13 patients (30 previously ablated PVs) during repeat ablations. The ostial peak velocity had decreased by 22 +/- 14 cm/sec and in 25 (83%) of 30 PVs was within the baseline range (<100 cm/sec) at a mean follow-up of 4.9 +/- 2.2 months. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or contrast-enhanced CT was obtained at 7.0 +/- 3.8 months in seven patients with PV velocity > 158 cm/sec after initial ablation. No significant stenosis (<30%) was identified, and no patient suffered clinical symptoms (follow-up 6-18 months) related to the described acute changes in PV flow after an initial ablation procedure. Of 13 patients with repeat ablation, two had PV velocities >100 cm/sec before repeat ablation, and three PVs in two patients had flow velocity >158 cm/sec after repeat ablation. One of these patients developed symptoms of exertional dyspnea; MRI at 4 months showed 50% to 60% ostial narrowing. CONCLUSION: Ostial ablation for PV isolation may induce a mild-to-moderate increase in PV flow velocity, which can be identified using an ultrasound catheter with Doppler color flow imaging. Increases in PV flow velocity (<158 cm/sec) after a primary ablation procedure appear to be well tolerated, and a return toward baseline flow characteristics should be anticipated by 3 months. A more cautious approach may be required for patients undergoing repeat PV isolation.