Abstract 12656: Is the Benefit of Posterior Wall Isolation in Conjunction With Pulmonary Vein Isolation the Same for Patients With Paroxysmal vs. Persistent Atrial Fibrillation - A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. Because many patients have continued AF after PVI alone, posterior wall isolation (PWI) has been proposed as an adjunctive strategy to PVI. We conducted a meta-analysis of available data to assess the incremental impact of PWI based on whether patients had paroxysmal or persistent (PAF, PeAF) AF. Objective: To evaluate the incremental impact of PWI following PVI in patients with PAF and PeAF. Methods: The online databases (Pubmed, Medline, Embase) were searched using the terms “pulmonary vein isolation”, “posterior wall isolation”, or “posterior wall ablation”. Out of 1843 studies, 11 met our strict criteria (Table). Specifically, patients were undergoing de novo ablation for treatment of PAF or PeAF using either cryoballoon or radiofrequency energy. Patients had PVI +/- PWI; studies that included additional ablations (except for cavotricuspid isthmus ablation) were excluded. The primary outcome was long-term freedom from recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT). Results: The cohort consisted of 1702 patients (65 ± 18 years, 75% male); 1404 (82%) pts with PeAF and 298 (18%) pts with PAF (Table). In the PeAF group, AT recurrence was significantly higher in patients who underwent PVI alone as compared to those who also had PWI (OR 1.85, 95% CI [1.23, 2.77], P = 0.003, Figure). In contrast, in the PAF group, outcome was similar in patients who did and did not undergo PWI in addition to PVI (OR 0.95, 95% CI [0.53, 1.72], P = 0.86, Figure). Conclusions: PWI was rarely used during the de novo ablation procedure in PAF patients and did not seem to impart additional benefit. In contrast, PeAF patients seemed to derive favorable impact from the addition of PWI to PVI. Additional randomized studies are needed to determine the role of PWI in PeAF patient undergoing de novo ablation for management of AF.