Clinical significance of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency ablation-A propensity score matched analysis.

OBJECTIVES: One of the mechanisms of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) after AF ablation is considered to be the inflammatory reaction of the atrial tissue. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical significance of ERAF at each stage for true AF recurrence between cryoballoon (CB) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation. METHODS: Among 798 paroxysmal AF patients who underwent an initial ablation, 460 patients (CB, n = 230; RF, n = 230) were selected by propensity score matching. Very ERAF (VERAF), ERAF-1M, ERAF-3M and true AF recurrence were defined as AF recurrence at 0-2, 3-30, 31-90 days and more than 90 days after the procedure, respectively. RESULTS: The patient characteristics of the two groups were similar. ERAF was observed 21% and 27% in the CB and RF groups, respectively. In both the CB and RF group, VERAF, ERAF-1M and ERAF-3M were more frequently observed in patients with true AF recurrence than in those without. In a multivariable analysis, ERAF-1M and ERAF-3M were found to be independent predictors of true AF recurrence in both the CB (P = 0.04 and P<0.001, respectively) and RF groups (P = 0.02 and P = 0.001, respectively). However, while VERAF was associated with true AF recurrence after RF ablation (P = 0.03), it was not associated with true AF recurrence after CB ablation (P = 0.19). CONCLUSION: The relationship between ERAF and true AF recurrence differed between the RF and CB ablation groups. While VERAF was associated with true AF recurrence after RF ablation, it was not a predictor of true AF recurrence after CB ablation.

Radiofrequency needle for transseptal puncture is associated with lower incidence of thromboembolism during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: propensity score-matched analysis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation requires transseptal puncture to access the left atrium. Recently, a radiofrequency (RF) needle was developed. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of MRI-confirmed acute cerebral embolism (ACE) during AF ablation procedures performed with RF needle versus mechanical needle transseptal puncture. This study consisted of 383 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF that required transseptal puncture with mechanical or radiofrequency transseptal needles. Of those, 232 propensity score-matched patients (116 with each needle type) were included in the analysis. All patients had cerebral MRI performed 1 or 2 days after the procedure. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Total procedure time was significantly shorter in Group RF than Group non-RF (167 ± 50 vs. 181 ± 52 min, P = 0.01). ACE was detected by MRI in 59 (25%) patients. All patients with ACE were asymptomatic. Incidence of ACE was lower in Group RF than Group non-RF (19 vs. 32%, P = 0.02). B-type natriuretic peptide level was higher in the patients with ACE as compared to those without ACE (65.2 ± 68.7 vs. 44.7 ± 55.1 pg/ml, P = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, the use of RF needle and BNP level was related to the incidence of ACE (OR = 0.499, 95% CI 0.270-0.922, P = 0.03 and OR = 1.005, 95% CI 1.000-1.010, P = 0.03). Use of RF needle for transseptal puncture was associated with lower total procedure time and risk of ACE during catheter ablation of AF.

Effect of air removal with extracorporeal balloon inflation on incidence of asymptomatic cerebral embolism during cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic cerebral embolism (ACE) is sometimes detected after cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation. The removal of air bubbles from the cryoballoon before utilization may reduce the rate of ACE. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the incidence of ACE between a conventional and a novel balloon massaging method during cryoballoon ablation. METHODS: Of 175 consecutive patients undergoing initial cryoballoon ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 60 (34.3%) patients underwent novel balloon massaging with extracorporeal balloon inflation in saline water (group N) before the cryoballoon was inserted into the body. The remaining 115 (65.7%) patients underwent conventional balloon massaging in saline water while the balloon remained folded (group C). Of those, 86 propensity score-matched patients were included. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. In group N, even after balloon massaging in saline water was carefully performed, multiple air bubbles remained on the balloon surface when the cryoballoon was inflated in all cases. Postprocedural cerebral magnetic resonance imaging detected ACE in 14.0% of all patients. The incidence of ACE was significantly lower in group N than in group C (4.7% vs 23.3%; P = .01). According to multivariable analysis, the novel method was the sole factor associated with the presence of ACE (odds ratio 0.161; 95% confidence interval 0.033-0.736; P = .02). CONCLUSION: Preliminary removal of air bubbles in heparinized saline water with extracorporeal balloon inflation reduced the incidence of ACE. Since conventional balloon massaging failed to remove air bubbles completely, this novel balloon massaging method should be recommended before cryoballoon utilization.