Optimal ablation targets during second catheter ablation in patients with persistent AF

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Abstract Introduction Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of ablative therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the one-year success rate after single ablation procedure is known to be up to 60%, necessitating repeat procedures in many. Purpose We evaluated the impact of different ablation strategies on procedural success at the second ablation in patients with persistent AF (PerAF). Methods Consecutive PerAF patients scheduled to undergo their second ablation were screened and only those that have received PVI plus isolation of left atrial posterior wall (PWI) and superior vena cava (SVC) at the first procedure (n=1390), were included in the analysis. At the second ablation, all reconnected structures were ablated. Additionally, based on operators' decision, non-PV triggers were targeted for ablation. Patients were classified into two groups based on the ablation strategy: group 1: Re-isolation of reconnected PVs, PW, SVC and group 2: additional ablation of non-PV triggers (from inter-atrial septum, coronary sinus (CS), left atrial appendage (LAA) and crista terminalis). Arrhythmia-monitoring was performed quarterly for 1 year and biannually afterwards. Ablation success was assessed off-antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD). Results Of the 1390 patients included in the analysis, 698 were in group 1 and 692 were in group 2. In group 1, reconnected PV, PW and SVC were re-isolated in 98 (14%), 311 (44.5%) and 173 (24.8%) respectively. In 131 (18.7%) patients, in the absence of any reconnection, CS was empirically isolated. In group 2, PV, PW and SVC were re-isolated in 83 (12%), 270 (39%) and 113 (16.3%) patients respectively. Additionally, non-PV triggers were ablated in 505 (73%) and empirical isolation of LAA and CS in the absence of detectable triggers and PV reconnection was performed in 187 (27%). At 2 years of follow-up, 425 (61%) and 602 (87%) from group 1 and 2 were arrhythmia-free off-AAD (p<0.001). Conclusion Including non-PV triggers as targets for ablation at the repeat procedure was associated with significantly higher success rate in persistent AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.