Trends in ablation procedures in Greece over the 2008-2018 period: Results from the Hellenic Cardiology Society Ablation Registry.

OBJECTIVE: In 2008, the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures registry of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology was created. This online database allowed electrophysiologists around the country to input data for all performed ablation procedures. The aim of this study is to provide a thorough report and interpretation of the data submitted to the registry between 2008 and 2018. METHODS: In 2008, a total of 27 centers/medical teams in 24 hospitals were licensed to perform RFA in Greece. By 2018, the number had risen to 31. Each center was tasked with inserting their own data into the registry, which included patient demographics (anonymized), type of procedure and technique, complications, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 18587 procedures in 17900 patients were recorded in the period of 2008-2018. By 2018, slightly more than 70% of procedures were performed in 7 high-volume centers (>100 cases/year). The most common procedure since 2014 was atrial fibrillation ablation, followed by atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia ablation. Complication rates were low, and success rates remained high, whereas the 6-month relapse rates declined steadily. CONCLUSION: This online RFA registry has proved that ablation procedures in Greece have reached a very high standard, with results and complication rates comparable to European and American standards. Ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation are increasing constantly, with it being the most common intervention over the last 6-year period, although the absolute number of procedures still remains low, compared to other European countries.

Feasibility of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation using a novel endoscopic ablation system.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an established treatment option for patients with drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A novel compliant endoscopic ablation system housing a 980-nm-diode laser allows for discrete point-by-point ablation enabling a true circumferential ablation line design. We sought to determine the feasibility and safety of a circumferential ablation using endoscopic ablation system. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty patients (17 female; mean age, 58±9 years) with a median paroxysmal atrial fibrillation history of 3 years (range, 1 to 17 years) were treated. PVI was achieved in 114 of 116 (98%) PVs (4 left common PVs), thereby achieving simultaneous PVI for separate ipsilateral PVs in 19 of 26 (73%) left PVs and 6 of 30 (20%) right PVs. The total procedure time was 250±62 minutes. Procedure time decreased from 310±59 to 220±37 minutes (P=0.0001) between the first 10 and the last 20 cases. Mean fluoroscopy time was 30±18 minutes. Twenty-seven patients underwent postoperative endoscopy showing no or minimal thermal lesions in the esophagus in 21 (78%) and 2 (7%), respectively. In 4 (15%) patients, an esophageal ulceration was found that healed without sequelae. One pericardial tamponade and 1 right-sided phrenic nerve palsy occurred. During a median follow-up of 168 days (113 to 203 days; q1-q3), 24 of 30 patients (80%) remained free of atrial fibrillation recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential PVI using the novel compliant endoscopic ablation system was feasible in the majority of left PVs and minority of right PVs accompanied by a complication rate comparable to established approaches. To minimize the risk for thermal esophageal injury temperature monitoring is recommended.