Adding Electroanatomical Mapping to Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation Improves 1-Year Clinical Outcome and Durability of Pulmonary Vein Isolation: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Adding electroanatomical left atrial (LA) voltage mapping to cryoballoon ablation (CBA) improves validation of acute pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). To determine whether the addition of mapping can improve outcome and PVI durability. One-year outcome and PV reconnection (PVR) rate at first repeat ablation were studied in 400 AF patients in a propensity-matched analysis (age, AF type, CHADS-VASc score) between Achieve catheter-guided CBA with additional EnSite LA voltage maps performed pre- and post-CBA (mapping group; N = 200) and CT- and Achieve catheter-guided CBA (control group; N = 200).

Impact of anesthetic management on catheter ablation for premature ventricular complexes: insights during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Background: The influence of divergent anesthesia types during ablation of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) is not known. While previously performed under general anesthesia (GA) at our institution, these procedures were exclusively performed under local anesthesia (LA) ± minimal sedation during the COVID-19 outbreak for logistic reasons.

Methods: One hundred and eight consecutive patients (82 GA versus 26 LA) undergoing PVC ablation at our center were evaluated.

Heart rate variability and microvolt T wave alternans changes during ajmaline test may predict prognosis in Brugada syndrome.

Purpose: Drug-induced type I Brugada syndrome (BrS) is associated with a ventricular arrhythmia (VA) rate of 1 case per 100 person-years. This study aims to evaluate changes in electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters such as microvolt T wave alternans (mTWA) and heart rate variability (HRV) at baseline and during ajmaline testing for BrS diagnosis.

Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with BrS during ajmaline testing with 5-year follow-up were included in this study.

Ajmaline-Induced Abnormalities in Brugada Syndrome: Evaluation With ECG Imaging.

Background The rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Brugada syndrome (BrS) is ≈1%/y. Noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging is a noninvasive mapping system that has a role in assessing BrS depolarization and repolarization abnormalities. This study aimed to analyze electrocardiographic imaging parameters during ajmaline test (AJT).

Procedural Safety and Efficacy for Pulmonary Vein Isolation with the Novel Polarx™ Cryoablation System: A Propensity Score Matched Comparison with the Arctic Front™ Cryoballoon in the Setting of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The novel Polarx™ cryoablation system is currently being studied for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. To the best of our knowledge, no study comparing the novel cryoablation system with the standard Arctic Front™ cryoballoon is available in today's literature. This study aims to compare Polarx™ and Arctic Front™ cryoballoon in terms of safety and efficacy.

High vagal tone predicts pulmonary vein reconnection after cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is an established treatment for paroxysmal drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). High parasympathetic tone and reconnection of PVs have demonstrated to be possible culprits of AF recurrence after ablation. Our aim was to investigate the association between parasympathetic tone and reconnected PVs in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Repeat procedures for recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation: A propensity-matched score comparison between left atrial linear ablation with radiofrequency and posterior wall isolation with the cryoballoon.

Aims: To evaluate the clinical outcome in patients undergoing repeat procedures for recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation following an index cryoballoon (CB-A) pulmonary vein isolation ablation on a mid-term follow-up of 12 months.

Methods: In this propensity score-matched comparison, 50 patients undergoing left atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI) with the CB-A were matched to 50 patients treated with additional linear ablation using radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Results: Meantime to repeat the procedure was 9.

High-density epicardial mapping in Brugada syndrome: Depolarization and repolarization abnormalities.

Background: The pathogenesis of Brugada syndrome (BrS) and consequently of abnormal electrograms (aEGMs) found in the epicardium of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-EPI) is controversial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze aEGM from high-density RVOT-EPI electroanatomic mapping (EAM).

Methods: All patients undergoing RVOT-EPI EAM with the HD-Grid catheter for BrS were retrospectively included.

Heart rate variability after radiofrequency ablation of epicardial ganglionated plexuses on the ovine left atrium.

Background: Ganglionated plexuses (GP) are terminal parts of cardiac autonomous nervous system (ANS). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) possibly affects GP. Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) after RFA can reflect ANS modulation.