Michael Kühne

Cryoballoon versus radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Biomarkers of myocardial injury, recurrence rates, and pulmonary vein reconnection patterns

BACKGROUNDnCryoballoon ablation has emerged as a novel treatment strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).nnnOBJECTIVEnThe purpose of this study was to compare pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoballoon ablation versus RF ablation with regard to myocardial injury, pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection patterns, and outcome.nnnMETHODSnFifty patients (age 59 ± 9 years, ejection fraction 0.59 ± 0.06, left atrial size 41 ± 5 mm) with paroxysmal AF were studied. Twenty-five patients underwent PVI using a 28-mm cryoballoon. A control group of 25 patients underwent PVI using an open-irrigation RF ablation catheter. Myocardial injury was determined by measuring troponin T (TnT). PV reconnection patterns were studied in case of repeat procedures.nnnRESULTSnProcedure duration was 166 ± 32 minutes in the cryoballoon group versus 197 ± 52 minutes in the RF group (P = .014), with similar ablation times (cryoballoon: 45 minutes [interquartile range 40-52.5 minutes]; RF: 47 minutes [interquartile range 44-65 minutes], P = .17). Postprocedural TnT in the RF group was 1.29 ± 0.41 μg/L versus 0.76 ± 0.55 μg/L in the cryoballoon group (P = .002). In 12 patients who underwent repeat ablation, 74% of PV reconnection sites were inferiorly located in the cryoballoon group compared to 17% in the RF group (P = .0004). With 1.2 ± 0.4 and 1.3 ± 0.6 procedures per patient, 88% of patients in the cryoballoon group and 92% in the RF group were in stable sinus rhythm after follow-up of 12 ± 3 months (P = NS).nnnCONCLUSIONnDifferences in the extent of myocardial injury and patterns of PV reconnection were observed between cryoballoon ablation and RF ablation of paroxysmal AF.

Phrenic nerve palsy during ablation of atrial fibrillation using a 28-mm cryoballoon catheter: predictors and prevention

PurposeThe purposes of this study were to determine whether predictors of phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) exist and to test whether a standardized ablation protocol may prevent PNP during cryoballoon (CB) ablation using the 28xa0mm CB.MethodsThree-dimensional (3D) geometry of the pulmonary veins (PV) and their relationship to the superior vena cava (SVC) was analyzed. Phrenic nerve (PN) stimulation was performed during ablation of the right-sided PVs with a 28-mm CB. The freezing cycle was immediately terminated in case of loss of PN capture.ResultsSixty-five patients (age, 58u2009±u200911xa0years; ejection fraction, 0.59u2009±u20090.06; left atrial size, 40u2009±u20095xa0mm) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were included. No persistent PNP was observed. Transient PNP occurred in 4 of 65 patients (6xa0%). PN function normalized within 24xa0h in all four patients. A short distance between the right superior PV and the SVC was significantly associated with PNP, but left atrial and 3D PV anatomy were not. Low temperature early during the freezing cycle (<−41xa0°C at 30xa0s) predicted PNP with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100 and 98xa0%, respectively.ConclusionThe anatomical relationship between the right superior PV and the SVC is a preprocedural predictor for the development of transient PNP, and low temperature early during ablation at the right superior PV is a sensitive warning sign of impending PNP. Despite the use of the 28xa0mm CB, transient PNP occurred in 6xa0% of patients undergoing CB ablation.

Long-term comparison of cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A propensity score matched analysis

BACKGROUNDnAlthough radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CB) based technologies for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) have both individually been demonstrated to be effective and safe for the treatment of paroxysmal AF, head-to-head comparisons are lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing pulmonary vein isolation.nnnMETHODSnOut of a prospective registry of 327 patients undergoing PVI, 208 patients (age 58±11 years, ejection fraction 59±6%, left atrial size 39±6 mm) with paroxysmal AF were identified. The presented dataset was obtained by 1:1 propensity score matching and contained 142 patients undergoing CB-PVI or RF-PVI in conjunction with a 3D mapping system, respectively. We compared single procedure efficacy of the two methods using a Cox proportional hazards model.nnnRESULTSnAfter a mean follow-up of 28 months and a single procedure, AF recurred in 37 of 71 (52%) in the CB-PVI group and in 31 of 71 patients (44%) in the RF-PVI group (HR [95% CI]=1.19 [0.74, 1.92], p=0.48). Recurrence of AF for PVI using solely the CB was observed in 23 of 51 (45%) patients and in 23 of 51 (45%) patients in the corresponding RF-PVI group (HR [95% CI]=0.93 [0.52, 1.66], p=0.81). Complication rate was not different between the groups.nnnCONCLUSIONnA propensity score matched comparison between CB-PVI and RF-PVI using a 3D-mapping system for AF ablation showed similar long-term success rates.

Smart detection of atrial fibrillation

Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, and its paroxysmal nature makes its detection challenging. In this trial, we evaluated a novel App for its accuracy to differentiate between patients in AF and patients in sinus rhythm (SR) using the plethysmographic sensor of an iPhone 4S and the integrated LED only. Methods and results For signal acquisition, we used an iPhone 4S, positioned with the camera lens and LED light on the index fingertip. A 5 min video file was recorded with the pulse wave extracted from the green light spectrum of the signal. RR intervals were automatically identified. For discrimination between AF and SR, we tested three different statistical methods. Normalized root mean square of successive difference of RR intervals (nRMSSD), Shannon entropy (ShE), and SD1/SD2 index extracted from a Poincaré plot. Eighty patients were included in the study (40 patients in AF and 40 patients in SR at the time of examination). For discrimination between AF and SR, ShE yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity with 85 and 95%, respectively. Applying a tachogram filter resulted in an improved sensitivity of 87.5%, when combining ShE and nRMSSD, while specificity remained stable at 95%. A combination of SD1/SD2 index and nRMSSD led to further improvement and resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 95%. Conclusion The algorithm tested reliably discriminated between SR and AF based on pulse wave signals from a smartphone camera only. Implementation of this algorithm into a smartwatch is the next logical step.

Holter monitoring in syncope: diagnostic yield in octogenarians.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic yield of Holter monitoring in very old adults (≥80) with syncope.

Application of a mortality risk score in a general population of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

Objective The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is very effective in the prevention of sudden cardiac death, but its benefit is impaired by competing risks. A simple risk model to predict mortality was designed for patients with primary prevention and ischaemic cardiomyopathy. We aimed to apply this score to a general ICD population. Methods This retrospective registry study included all patients in whom an ICD was implanted at a tertiary referral hospital. Risk factors were age >70u2005years, QRS width >120u2005ms, atrial fibrillation, New York Heart Association Functional Classification class >2 and glomerular filtration rate <60u2005mL/min/1.73u2005m2. Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed according to the presence of 0, 1, 2 and >2 risk factors. Results The cohort consists of 1032 patients, 881 (86%) were men, mean age was 61±14u2005years and mean follow-up 66±46u2005months. 256 patients (25%) died 58±41u2005months after implant. The setting was secondary prevention in 498 patients (48%). No risk factors was present in 32% of patients, 1 in 27%, 2 in 20% and >2 in 21%, respectively. There was a significant and comprehensible relation between risk score and mortality. Cumulative survival was 82% in patients with 0 risk factors, 63% in those with 1, 41% in those with 2 and 23% in those with >2 risk factors (p < 0.0001). ICD therapies were documented in 421 patients (41%) without correlation to risk factors. Conclusions In a mixed population of primary and secondary preventive ICD carriers, application of a simple risk score predicts long-term mortality but not appropriate use of the ICD.

Superior vena cava stenosis after radiofrequency catheter ablation for electrical isolation of the superior vena cava

Ectopic beats originating from the superior vena cava (SVC) may initiate atrial fibrillation. This report describes a patient undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for electrical isolation of the SVC resulting in SVC stenosis. Noncircumferential lesion sets for SVC isolation to reduce ablation times may be preferred. (PACE 2010; e36–e38)

Left atrial anatomy, atrial fibrillation burden, and P-wave duration—relationships and predictors for single-procedure success after pulmonary vein isolation

AimsnAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with changes in left atrial (LA) volume, but the relationship between LA size, AF burden, and electrical conduction behaviour is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to quantify the association and impact of these parameters on the single-procedure outcome after circumferential antral ablation for pulmonary vein isolation.nnnMethods and resultsnLeft atrial assessment was performed in 129 consecutive patients using pre-procedural imaging in three dimensions (sphericity, indexed volume), two dimensions (diameters), and from echocardiography in one dimension (long axis). Atrial fibrillation burden was classified based on the clinical assessment as paroxysmal and persistent and based on a validated scoring system including frequency, duration of AF episodes, and number of cardioversions into four grades (minimal, mild, moderate, and severe). P-wave duration and PR interval was measured on the 12-lead electrocardiogram at the end of the procedure. Atrial fibrillation burden score (AFB) was minimal (2%), mild (75%), moderate (9%), and severe (14%) and 65% had paroxysmal and 35% had persistent AF. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with persistent AF, with higher AFB, with prolonged P-wave, and with an indexed LA volume u2009>u200955u2009mL/m2. In multivariable analysis, AFB (hazard ratio: 2.018(1.383-2.945), Pu2009>u20090.001) and a prolonged P-wave (hazard ratio: 2.612(1.248-5.466), Pu2009=u20090.011) were identified as significant predictors for AF recurrence.nnnConclusionsnIn our cohort of patients with symptomatic AF, the AFB and the P-wave duration but none of the anatomical parameter revealed to be independent predictors for AF/AT recurrence after circumferential antral pulmonary vein isolation.

Determinants of Left Atrial Volume in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction Left atrial (LA) enlargement is an important risk factor for incident stroke and a key determinant for the success of rhythm control strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, factors associated with LA volume in AF patients remain poorly understood. Methods Patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF were enrolled in this study. Real time 3-D echocardiography was performed in all participants and analyzed offline in a standardized manner. We performed stepwise backward linear regression analyses using a broad set of clinical parameters to determine independent correlates for 3-D LA volume. Results We included 210 patients (70.9% male, mean age 61±11years). Paroxysmal and persistent AF were present in 95 (45%) and 115 (55%) patients, respectively. Overall, 115 (55%) had hypertension, 11 (5%) had diabetes, and 18 (9%) had ischemic heart disease. Mean indexed LA volume was 36±12ml/m2. In multivariable models, significant associations were found for female sex (β coefficient -10.51 (95% confidence interval (CI) -17.85;-3.16), p = 0.0053), undergoing cardioversion (β 11.95 (CI 5.15; 18.74), p = 0.0006), diabetes (β 14.23 (CI 2.36; 26.10), p = 0.019), body surface area (BSA) (β 34.21 (CI 19.30; 49.12), p<0.0001), glomerular filtration rate (β -0.21 (CI -0.36; -0.06), p = 0.0064) and plasma levels of NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (β 6.79 (CI 4.05; 9.52), p<0.0001), but not age (p = 0.59) or hypertension (p = 0.42). Our final model explained 52% of the LA volume variability. Conclusions In patients with AF, the most important correlates with LA volume are sex, BSA, diabetes, renal function and NT-proBNP, but not age or hypertension. These results may help to refine rhythm control strategies in AF patients.

Noninvasive Monitoring of Stroke Volume With Resynchronization Devices in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUNDnA novel method to estimate cardiac volumes based on impedance measurements using the leads of a resynchronization device has been developed. This study investigated the method in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and documented wall motion abnormalities.nnnMETHOD AND RESULTSnFifteen postinfarction patients (age 68 ± 8 years, ejection fraction 27 ± 5%) with symptomatic heart failure and ≥ 1 akinetic or dyskinetic segment were included. During the implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device, acute impedance curves were recorded along with stroke volume determined by the arterial pulse contour method. In an overdrive protocol, the impedance parameter stroke impedance decreased in significant correlation with stroke volume in all patients. The median correlation coefficient between stroke volume and stroke impedance was 0.83 (interquartile range 0.70-0.89). Furthermore, the atrioventricular delay was optimized based on impedance and reference stroke volume. After optimization by the impedance method, it differed by 18 ± 15 ms from the figure after optimization by the invasive reference. Compared with a standard atrioventricular delay of 120 ms, stroke volume was improved by 8.6 ± 9.8% with the use of invasive optimization and by 6.4 ± 10.8% with the use of impedance-based optimization.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn CRT patients with chronic infarction and wall motion abnormalities, impedance is a valid parameter to estimate stroke volume and to guide optimization of CRT timing.