Christopher R Ellis1, Nitish Badhwar2, David Tschopp3, Matthew Danter1, Gregory G Jackson1, Faraz Kerendi3, Tomas Walters2, Qizhi Fang2, Tobias Deuse2, Ramin Beygui2, Randall J Lee4. 1. Division of Cardiology and Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. 2. Division of Cardiology and Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. 3. Division of Cardiology and Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Austin Heart Center, Austin, Texas, USA. 4. Division of Cardiology and Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. Electronic address: lee@medicine.ucsf.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a new subxiphoid hybrid epicardial-endocardial atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation approach for the treatment of persistent AF. BACKGROUND: Surgical hybrid ablation procedures have shown promise for maintaining sinus rhythm versus catheter ablation but are associated with increased periprocedural adverse events. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic persistent AF (n = 33, mean age 64 ± 9 years, 25 men) who had antiarrhythmic drug therapy or prior catheter ablation was unsuccessful were referred for hybrid epicardial-endocardial AF ablation and LAA exclusion. LAA closure was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiographic Doppler flow and/or computed tomographic angiography 1 to 3 months post-ligation. The incidence of atrial tachycardia or AF recurrence, LAA closure, thromboembolic events, and post-operative complications were assessed. RESULTS: All 33 patients underwent successful LAA ligation with epicardial ablation of the posterior left atrial wall, as well as endocardial pulmonary vein isolation and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation. Freedom from atrial tachycardia or AF was 91% (20 of 22 patients) at 6 months, 90% (18 of 20 patients) at 12 months, 92% (11 of 12 patients) at 18 months, and 92% (11 of 12) at 24 months. There were no acute periprocedural complications (<7 days). Thirty-day adverse events included 2 patients with pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis and 1 incisional hernia repair. There were no long-term complications, strokes, or deaths. LAA ligation was complete in 27 of 33 subjects (82%), with 6 subjects having leaks of <5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Subxiphoid hybrid epicardial-endocardial ablation with LAA ligation is feasible, safe, and effective. Future prospective studies are needed to validate these initial findings.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a new subxiphoid hybrid epicardial-endocardial atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation approach for the treatment of persistent AF. BACKGROUND: Surgical hybrid ablation procedures have shown promise for maintaining sinus rhythm versus catheter ablation but are associated with increased periprocedural adverse events. METHODS:Patients with symptomatic persistent AF (n = 33, mean age 64 ± 9 years, 25 men) who had antiarrhythmic drug therapy or prior catheter ablation was unsuccessful were referred for hybrid epicardial-endocardial AF ablation and LAA exclusion. LAA closure was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiographic Doppler flow and/or computed tomographic angiography 1 to 3 months post-ligation. The incidence of atrial tachycardia or AF recurrence, LAA closure, thromboembolic events, and post-operative complications were assessed. RESULTS: All 33 patients underwent successful LAA ligation with epicardial ablation of the posterior left atrial wall, as well as endocardial pulmonary vein isolation and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation. Freedom from atrial tachycardia or AF was 91% (20 of 22 patients) at 6 months, 90% (18 of 20 patients) at 12 months, 92% (11 of 12 patients) at 18 months, and 92% (11 of 12) at 24 months. There were no acute periprocedural complications (<7 days). Thirty-day adverse events included 2 patients with pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis and 1 incisional hernia repair. There were no long-term complications, strokes, or deaths. LAA ligation was complete in 27 of 33 subjects (82%), with 6 subjects having leaks of <5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Subxiphoid hybrid epicardial-endocardial ablation with LAA ligation is feasible, safe, and effective. Future prospective studies are needed to validate these initial findings.