Visualizable vs. standard, non-visualizable steerable sheath for pulmonary vein isolation procedures: randomized, single-center trial

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background/Introduction Steerable sheaths are frequently used to improve catheter contact during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures. A new type of visualized (by electroanatomical mapping system) steerable sheath has become available in clinical treatment. Purpose We aimed to compare procedural data of visualizable vs. non-visualizable steerable sheath assisted PVI procedures of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods In this single-center randomized study, we enrolled a total of 58 consecutive patients who underwent PVI due to AF. In 30 patients, the procedures were performed using non-visualizable steerable sheath (Group 1), while we used visualizable steerable sheath for PVI in 28 cases (Group 2). Results Compared to Group 1, using the visualizable sheath significantly reduced total fluoroscopy time (267 ± 145 s vs. 197 ± 74 s; p=0.03), fluoroscopy dose (26.2 ± 24.7 mGy vs. 16.7 ± 16.1 mGy; p=0.04) and left atrial procedure time (72.1 ± 18.7 min vs. 61.4 ± 18.9 min; p=0.05). Total ablation time (1158 ± 347 s vs. 1067 ± 196 s; p= 0.28), number of radiofrequency pulses (78 ± 19 vs. 77 ± 32; p=0.81) and total procedure time (117.7 ± 30.0 min vs. 105.0 ± 21.4 min; 0.09) did not differ between the two groups. No major complications occurred in either group. Conclusion Using visualizable steerable sheath for PVI procedures can reduce fluoroscopy exposure and left atrial procedure time compared to standard, non-visualizable steerable sheath in patients undergoing PVI procedures.