Abstract 13439: Long-Term Outcomes From Continuous Rhythm Monitoring After Hybrid Convergent Procedure in Longstanding Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Endocardial catheter ablation has suboptimal effectiveness and durability in patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). Hybrid convergent ablation combines epicardial and endocardial ablation to create a transmural lesion set that isolates the left atrial posterior wall and pulmonary veins. The study objective was to evaluate long-term outcomes assessed by continuous rhythm monitoring in LSPAF patients who received hybrid convergent ablation. Methods: This was a single-center IRB-approved, observational study. Eligible patients were identified by retrospective chart review and included patients who received hybrid convergent procedures between September 2011 and November 2017. Patients were consented for prospective long-term follow-up visits and continuous cardiac monitoring (7-day ePatch). Baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes, and follow-up data were entered into the TRAC-AF registry. This analysis focused on the patient subgroup with pre-operative LSPAF (AF duration >1 year). Results: Of 77 consented patients, 60 had pre-operative LSPAF. Mean age was 66.1 ± 7.9 years, 70% were male, and duration of AF was 6.8 ± 4.8 years. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2.6 ± 1.4; mean BMI was 32.1 ± 5.9, and 55% (33/60) of patients had previous catheter ablation. Thirty-day major adverse event rate was 5% (3/60) and included 2 inflammatory pericardial effusions and one major bleeding. On continuous monitoring, 71% (41/58) of patients had 0% AF burden at mean follow-up of 61.7 ± 18.9 months. Eight patients (13%) had repeat catheter ablation at mean 21.6 ± 16.3 months since index procedure. Comparison of baseline and follow-up left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from echocardiography revealed a trend of 12.4 ± 13.0 units improvement at mean follow-up of 18.2 ± 23.7 months since baseline in 5 patients with severely reduced (<40%) baseline ejection fraction (p=0.063). Conclusions: Long-term follow-up with continuous monitoring revealed a majority of patients with pre-operative LSPAF had 0% AF burden after a mean 61.7 months since the hybrid convergent procedure. These results are aligned with published studies and the CONVERGE trial on the effectiveness of hybrid convergent ablation in LSPAF.