Noninvasive continuous arterial pressure monitoring shortens atrial fibrillation ablation procedural duration

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Transcatheter atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is in most centres commonly carried out with continuous invasive radial arterial blood pressure (BP) monitoring. Novel devices enable continuous non-invasive BP monitoring, with acceptable agreement and optimal safety profile when compared to standard of care invasive BP monitoring, leading to improved patient comfort in the electrophysiology lab. Purpose Aim of the study was to assess in terms of procedural efficiency continuous non-invasive BP monitoring during transcatheter atrial fibrillation ablation. Methods We prospectively enrolled 42 consecutive patients (age 61±9 years, 80% male) undergoing transcatheter AF ablation (60% paroxysmal, 40% persistent) at our centre undergoing AF ablation with continuous BP measurement using a non-invasive finger volume clamp device. We then compared them with an historical cohort of 42 consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation (62% paroxysmal, 38% persistent) with standard of care invasive BP monitoring with a radial cannula. We compared the two groups in terms of total procedural duration (in and out from the EP lab). Results Mean total procedural duration was 165,29±54,95 minutes in the non-invasive group and 196,55±46,67 minutes in the invasive group (P=0,006). Conclusion In patients undergoing AF ablation, non-invasive finger volume-clamp continuous BP monitoring allowed for a significant reduction of total procedural duration when compared to standard of care invasive BP monitoring. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.