AIM: Real-time assessment of pulmonary vein (PV) disconnection is possible using an inner circular mapping catheter during cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it has been recently demonstrated that such continuous monitoring may only be possible in <50% of PVs. We hypothesized that a stepwise mapping approach, including pacing manoeuvres, could optimize monitoring of real-time PV disconnection during ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Single-centre, prospective observational study (NCT01843465) including 34 consecutive eligible patients (128 PVs) undergoing a first procedure of cryoballoon ablation of AF using the Artic Front Advance(®) 28 mm catheter and a 20 mm diameter Achieve(®) catheter (AC) in all cases. Monitoring of real-time entrance block was possible, when AC was maintained in the standard position (distal to the tip of the Artic Front Advance(®) catheter) in 47 (36.7%) PVs. In an additional 63 cases (49.2%), such monitoring was possible after moving AC to a more proximal position and using different torqueing movements. Finally, using supplemental systematic pacing manoeuvres to test exit block, real-time assessment of PV disconnection was possible in 15 (11.7%) more PVs. Overall, real-time assessment of PV disconnection was possible in 97.7% of cases, after a mean duration of 48.6 ± 33.0 s. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that optimal use of the AC, with a systematic stepwise mapping approach, may dramatically improve the real-time monitoring of PV disconnection during AF cryoablation. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.
AIM: Real-time assessment of pulmonary vein (PV) disconnection is possible using an inner circular mapping catheter during cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it has been recently demonstrated that such continuous monitoring may only be possible in <50% of PVs. We hypothesized that a stepwise mapping approach, including pacing manoeuvres, could optimize monitoring of real-time PV disconnection during ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Single-centre, prospective observational study (NCT01843465) including 34 consecutive eligible patients (128 PVs) undergoing a first procedure of cryoballoon ablation of AF using the Artic Front Advance(®) 28 mm catheter and a 20 mm diameter Achieve(®) catheter (AC) in all cases. Monitoring of real-time entrance block was possible, when AC was maintained in the standard position (distal to the tip of the Artic Front Advance(®) catheter) in 47 (36.7%) PVs. In an additional 63 cases (49.2%), such monitoring was possible after moving AC to a more proximal position and using different torqueing movements. Finally, using supplemental systematic pacing manoeuvres to test exit block, real-time assessment of PV disconnection was possible in 15 (11.7%) more PVs. Overall, real-time assessment of PV disconnection was possible in 97.7% of cases, after a mean duration of 48.6 ± 33.0 s. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that optimal use of the AC, with a systematic stepwise mapping approach, may dramatically improve the real-time monitoring of PV disconnection during AF cryoablation. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.
Authors: Giacomo Mugnai; Carlo de Asmundis; Burak Hünük; Erwin Ströker; Darragh Moran; Ebru Hacioglu; Diego Ruggiero; Jan Poelaert; Christian Verborgh; Vincent Umbrain; Stefan Beckers; Hugo Enrique Coutino-Moreno; Ken Takarada; Valentina de Regibus; Pedro Brugada; Gian-Battista Chierchia Journal: J Interv Card Electrophysiol Date: 2016-02-12 Impact factor: 1.900
Authors: Francesca Salghetti; Juan-Pablo Abugattas; Valentina De Regibus; Saverio Iacopino; Ken Takarada; Erwin Ströker; Hugo-Enrique Coutiño; Ian Lusoc; Juan Sieira; Lucio Capulzini; Giacomo Mugnai; Vincent Umbrain; Stefan Beckers; Pedro Brugada; Carlo de Asmundis; Gian-Battista Chierchia Journal: J Atr Fibrillation Date: 2018-04-30