Hybrid Convergent Procedure for the Treatment of Persistent and Long-standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
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SUBMITTER: DeLurgio D
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8576514 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundThe efficacy of catheter-based or thoracoscopic ablation for treating long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) with a dilated atrium remains suboptimal. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and initial results of simultaneous hybrid ablation with a new biatrial lesion set in these patients.MethodsTwenty-seven consecutive patients with long-standing persistent AF and dilated atrium underwent simultaneous hybrid ablation with a new biatrial lesion set consistent with the principle of the Cox maze procedure at our institution. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure and annually thereafter.ResultsAfter thoracoscopic epicardial ablation, endocardial mapping confirmed complete bilateral pulmonary vein isolation in 25 patients (96.2%). All patients were followed for a mean of 18.7 ± 8.9 months. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia at 1 year after the single hybrid procedure was 64% with antiarrhythmic drugs and 60% without antiarrhythmic drugs. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia at latest follow-up after the hybrid procedure and redo catheter ablation was 77.8% with antiarrhythmic drugs and 74.1% without antiarrhythmic drugs. In patients with sinus rhythm restoration, mean left atrial diameter decreased from 54.4 ± 4.3 mm to 45.2 ± 4.1 mm (P < .001), and mean right atrial diameter decreased from 59.4 ± 3.9 mm to 54.9 ± 4.4 mm (P < .001). Postoperative pleural effusion was observed in 3 patients (11.1%), and no adverse events occurred during follow-up.ConclusionsIn patients with long-standing persistent AF and a dilated atrium, simultaneous hybrid ablation with the new biatrial lesion set, in combination with touch-up catheter ablation when necessary, can achieve promising results. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.
| S-EPMC8300042 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundFavorable clinical outcomes are difficult to achieve in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) with catheter ablation (CA). The CONVERGE (Convergence of Epicardial and Endocardial Ablation for the Treatment of Symptomatic Persistent Atrial FIbrillation) trial evaluated the effectiveness of hybrid convergent (HC) ablation vs endocardial CA.ObjectiveThe study sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of HC vs CA in the LSPAF subgroup from the CONVERGE trial.MethodsThe CONVERGE trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial that enrolled 153 patients at 27 sites. A post hoc analysis was performed on LSPAF patients. The primary effectiveness was freedom from atrial arrhythmias off new or increased dose of previously failed or intolerant antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) through 12 months. The primary safety endpoint was major adverse event incidence through 30 days with HC. Key secondary effectiveness measures included (1) percent of patients achieving ≥90% AF burden reduction vs baseline and (2) AF freedom.ResultsSixty-five patients (42.5% of total enrollment) had LSPAF; 38 in HC and 27 in CA. Primary effectiveness was 65.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 50.7%-80.9%) with HC vs 37.0% (95% CI 5.1%-52.4%) with CA (P = .022). Through 18 months, these rates were 60.5% (95% CI 50.0%-76.1%) with HC vs 25.9% (95% CI 9.4%-42.5%) with CA (P = .006). Secondary effectiveness rates were higher than CA with HC at 12 and 18 months. Freedom from atrial arrhythmias off AADs was 52.6% (95% CI 36.8%-68.5%) and 47.4% (95% CI 31.5%-63.2%) with HC at 12 and 18 months vs 25.9% (95% CI 9.4%-42.5%) and 22.2% (95% CI 6.5%-37.9%) with CA, respectively (12 months: P = .031; 18 months: P = .038). Three (7.9%) major adverse events occurred within 30 days of HC.ConclusionPost hoc analysis demonstrated effectiveness and acceptable safety of HC compared with CA in LSPAF.
| S-EPMC9975017 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Objective The relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with depressed ejection fraction (EF) is complex. AF-related tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy (TMC) can lead to worsening EF and clinical heart failure. We sought to determine whether a hybrid team ablation approach (HA) can be performed safely and restore normal sinus rhythm in patients with TMC and heart failure and to delineate the effect on heart failure. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients with nonparoxysmal (ie, persistent and long-standing persistent) AF-related TMC with depressed left ventricular EF (LVEF ≤40%) and heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class ≥2) who underwent HA between 2013 and 2018 and had at least 1 year of follow-up. Pre-HA and post-HA echocardiograms were compared for LVEF and left atrial (LA) size. Rhythm success was defined as <30 seconds in AF/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia without class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs. Results are expressed as mean ± SD and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mean. Results Forty patients met the criteria for inclusion in our analysis. The mean patient age was 67 ± 9.4 years. The majority of patients had long-standing persistent AF (26 of 40; 65%), and the remainder had persistent AF (14 of 40; 35%). All patients had NYHA class II or worse heart failure (NYHA class II, 36 of 40 [90%]; NYHA class III, 4 of 40 [10%]). The mean time in AF pre-HA was 5.6 ± 6.7 years. All patients received both HA stages. No deaths or strokes occurred within 30 days. Three new permanent pacemakers (7.5%) were placed. Rhythm success was achieved in >60% of patients during a mean 3.5 ± 1.9 years of follow-up. LVEF improved significantly by 12.0% ± 12.5% (95% CI, 7.85%-16.0%; P < .0001), and mean LA size decreased significantly by 0.40 cm ± 0.85 cm (95% CI, 0.69-0.12 cm; P < .01), with a mean of 3.0 ± 1.5 years between pre-HA and post-HA echocardiography. NYHA class improved significantly after HA (mean pre-HA NYHA class, 2.1 ± 0.3 [95% CI, 2.0-2.2]; mean post-HA NYHA class, 1.5 ± 0.6 [95% CI, 1.3-1.7]; P < .0001). Conclusions Thoracoscopic HA of AF in selected patients with TMC heart failure is safe and can result in rhythm success with structural heart changes, including improvements in LVEF and LA size. Graphical abstract Thoracoscopic and endocardial hybrid ablation (HA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). HA in patients with tachycardia-mediated heart failure is safe and provides freedom from AF in the majority of patients. In our cohort, >60% of patients achieved rhythm success, with an average absolute LVEF improvement of 12% and an absolute left atrial size decrease of 0.4 cm, and no patient experienced stroke or death. Video Abstract
| S-EPMC9801285 | biostudies-literature
Project description: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.
| S-EPMC9159446 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundLeft atrial (LA) function following catheter or surgical ablation of de-novo long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and its impact on AF recurrence was studied in patients participating in the CASA-AF trial (Catheter Ablation vs. Thoracoscopic Surgical Ablation in Long Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation).MethodsAll patients underwent echocardiography preablation, 3 and 12 months post-ablation. LA structure and function were assessed by 2-dimensional volume and speckle tracking strain measurements of LA reservoir, conduit, and contractile strain. Left ventricular diastolic function was measured using transmitral Doppler filling velocities and myocardial tissue Doppler velocities to derive the e', E/e', and E/A ratios. Continuous rhythm monitoring was achieved using an implantable loop recorder.ResultsEighty-three patients had echocardiographic data suitable for analysis. Their mean age was 63.6±9.7 years, 73.5% were male, had AF for 22.8±11.6 months, and had a mean LA maximum volume of 48.8±13.8 mL/m2. Thirty patients maintained sinus rhythm, and 53 developed AF recurrence. Ablation led to similar reductions in LA volumes at follow-up in both rhythm groups. However, higher LA emptying fraction (36.3±10.6% versus 27.9±9.9%; P<0.001), reservoir strain (22.6±8.5% versus 16.7±5.7%; P=0.001), and contractile strain (9.2±3.4% versus 5.6±2.5%; P<0.001) were noted in the sinus rhythm compared with AF recurrence group following ablation at 3 months. Diastolic function was better in the sinus rhythm compared with the AF recurrence group with an E/A ratio of 1.5±0.5 versus 2.2±1.2 (P<0.001) and left ventricular E/e' ratio of 8.0±2.1 versus 10.3±4.1 (P<0.001), respectively. LA contractile strain at 3 months was the only independent predictor of AF recurrence.ConclusionsFollowing ablation for long-standing persistent AF, improvement in LA function was greater in those who maintained sinus rhythm. LA contractile strain at 3 months was the most important determinant of AF recurrence following ablation.RegistrationURL: https://www.Clinicaltrialsgov; Unique identifier: NCT02755688.
| S-EPMC10281195 | biostudies-literature
Project description:In patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), outcomes from catheter ablation remain suboptimal. The convergent procedure combines minimally invasive surgical ablation with subsequent catheter ablation, and may contribute towards maintenance of sinus rhythm in this patient group. We performed the convergent procedure on 43 patients with longstanding persistent AF from 2013-2018. Patients underwent clinical review at 3, 6, and 12 months and thereafter as necessitated by their symptoms. Our dataset describes patients' baseline characteristics and rhythm control protocols, as well as outcomes including arrhythmia recurrence, the need for antiarrhythmic drugs, requirement for repeat rhythm control procedures, and complications. These data provide a real world insight into the risks and benefits of the convergent procedure in patients with longstanding persistent AF.
| S-EPMC7118295 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The success rate of catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to be lower in females than in males. However, while the exact mechanism for this phenomenon remains to be elucidated, tissue fibrosis may play an important role in this regard. It has been shown that fibrosis promotes AF and its recurrence, thereby substantially reducing the efficacy of catheter ablation in AF patients. Thus, we hypothesized that fibrosis may contribute to gender differences in the outcomes of AF catheter ablation. Here we systematically assessed pulmonary vein sleeves obtained from 166 patients with and without long-standing persistent-AF (LSP-AF) in order to identify gender-specific mechanistic differences in fibrosis remodeling of AF patients. Histological analysis revealed that the female LSP-AF group, rather than its male counterpart, had a higher degree of fibrosis when compared to the NON-AF group. Further analysis using microarray, immunohistochemistry and Western Blot displayed that gender differences in fibrosis remodeling of LSP-AF were mainly due to the inherent differential expression of fibrosis-related genes (n=32) and proteins (n=6). Especially, those related to the TGF?/Smad3 pathway appeared to be up-regulated in the female LSP-AF group thus promoting an aggravation of fibrosis remodeling. In summary, our data suggest that the aggravation of fibrosis remodeling in women may be an important reason for the low success rate of AF catheter ablation when compared to men. Therefore, inhibiting the TGF?/Smad3 pathway-mediated fibrosis could represent an interesting target for future therapeutic concepts to improve the success rate of AF catheter ablation in women.
| S-EPMC5581144 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesThe CArdioSurgEry Atrial Fibrillation (CASE-AF) registry is a prospective, multicentre study for collecting and analysing real-world data of surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes of surgery for long-standing persistent AF at 1 year.MethodsIn total, 17 centres consecutively include all eligible patients with continuous AF lasting for ≥1 year. Exclusion criteria are missing informed consent or age <18 years. For patient-reported outcomes measures, the European Heart Rhythm Association score was used. No presence of AF (based on ECG findings including Holter ECG and/or implanted devices), no re-ablation, no further cardioversion and no rehospitalization due to AF after a 3-month blanking period defined no AF recurrence at 1 year.ResultsFrom January 2017 to January 2020, a total of 1115 patients were enrolled in CASE-AF. Of them, 202 patients (mean age 69.7 ± 7.8 years, 27.2% female) underwent surgical ablation of long-standing persistent AF (study cohort), mostly accompanied by left atrial appendage closure (n = 180 [89%], resection n = 75 [42%]) and predominantly performed as concomitant (n = 174 [86%]) and left atrial only procedure (n = 144 [71%]). Early mortality (30 days) was 2.0% and morbidity was low. At follow-up (median 14.4 months, interquartile range, 12.7-17.6 months, 100% complete), 106 patients (56%) had no AF recurrence and 93% of them were asymptomatic. AF recurrence was accompanied by AF-related rehospitalization (n = 12, P = 0.003), direct current shock cardioversion (n = 23, P < 0.001), AF ablation (n = 7, P = 0.003) and stroke (n = 3, P = 0.059). Multivariable analysis identified cryoablation, predominantly performed endocardially including additional left atrial (74%) and biatrial (42%) lesions, as a significant factor for freedom from AF recurrence (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.07-6.79, P = 0.035).ConclusionsAccording to CASE-AF, surgical ablation of long-standing persistent AF is most effective when concomitantly performed using endocardial cryoablation. Ongoing follow-up allows further elucidation of efficacious treatment strategies.
| S-EPMC10749739 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) may represent a phenomenon associated with sources of atrial fibrillation (AF) and are being used increasingly as targets of catheter ablation. However, current methods have limited efficacy for characterizing CFAEs important to substrate arrhythmogenicity and do not measure electrogram morphology.The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology for quantifying the degree of morphologic heterogeneity in CFAE deflections, and to determine whether there are differences in this measurement between paroxysmal and persistent AF patients.Two successive bipolar CFAEs of length 8.4 seconds each were acquired during AF from two sites each at the ostia of the four pulmonary veins (PVs) and from the anterior and posterior left atrial free wall in patients with paroxysmal AF (N = 10) and long-standing persistent AF (N = 10). Extrinsic and intrinsic features of electrogram shape were used to characterize fractionation in CFAE sequences. The extrinsic parameters were the amplitude, upslope, downslope, and width of each deflection. The intrinsic parameter was the voltage profile as characterized by the sum of absolute values. These measurements were compared to the mean interval between CFAE deflections, a standard fractionation indicator.The variability of intrinsic/extrinsic morphologic parameters was higher in paroxysmal than persistent AF at the left superior PV (P < or =.003), the posterior left atrial free wall, anterior left atrial free wall, left inferior PV, and right superior PV (P <.05 for most parameters), and the right inferior PV (not significant). Mean CFAE deflection intervals were longer at all locations in paroxysmal AF but were significant only at the left superior PV and posterior left atrial free wall (P <.05). Quantitative morphologic parameters were not well correlated with dominant frequency (r(2) <0.32); thus, our new measures are robust to changes in activation rate.A novel method for quantifying CFAEs, independent of activation rate, has been developed. The method demonstrates greater significance in the difference between CFAE morphology in paroxysmal and long-standing AF compared with mean interval between CFAE deflections. The differences identified suggest that CFAE morphology may evolve as AF persists.
| S-EPMC4287370 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The management of non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. We examined the efficacy and safety of the 2 stage Hybrid AF ablation approach by analysing the largest series of this technique reported so far.MethodsThe approach aims to electrically isolate the left atrial posterior wall incorporating the pulmonary veins ('box-set'pattern). An initial video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) epicardial ablation is followed after a minimum of 8 weeks by endocardial radiofrequency catheter ablation.ResultsOf 175 patients from 4 European cardiothoracic centers, who underwent the surgical (COBRA Fusion, AtriCure Inc) 1st stage ablation, 166 went on to complete 2nd stage catheter ablation. At median follow up of 18 months post 2nd stage procedure 93/166 (56%) had remained free of AF or atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence off antiarrhythmic drugs. 110/175 62.9% were in sinus rhythm off all antiarrhythmic drugs at last clinic follow-up (132/175 75.4% including those on antiarrhythmic drugs). 18 patients (10.8%) underwent a further re-do ablation (mean of 1.1 ablations per patient) 105/166 (63%) remained free of AF/AT recurrence off antiarrhythmic drugs following last ablation procedure.Latterly, ILRs have been implanted in patients (n = 56); 60% have remained fully arrhythmia free and 80% have shown AF burden < 5% at a median 14 months follow-up [IQR: 13.5 (8-21.5)]. Only 10.9% have reverted to persistent AF. 5 patients (2.9%) had a perioperative stroke and 4 patients (2.3%) exhibited persistent weakness of the right hemidiaphragm following stage 1 VATS epicardial ablation. One patient died following stroke (overall mortality 0.6%).ConclusionsIn patients with non-paroxysmal AF with unfavourable characteristics for catheter ablation, the staged hybrid approach results in acceptable levels of freedom from recurrent atrial arrhythmia, however, complication rates are higher than with catheter ablation alone.
| S-EPMC7046539 | biostudies-literature