Safety of pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial complex fractionated atrial electrograms ablation for atrial fibrillation with phased radiofrequency energy and multi-electrode catheters.

Aims: Recently, a multi-electrode catheter system using phased radiofrequency (RF) energy was developed specifically for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation: the pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC), the multi-array septal catheter (MASC), and the multi-array ablation catheter (MAAC). Initial results of small trials have been promising: shorter procedure times and low adverse event rates. In a large single-centre registry, we evaluated the adverse events associated with multi-electrode ablation catheter procedures with PVAC alone, or combined with MASC and MAAC.

Freedom from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after successful pulmonary vein isolation with pulmonary vein ablation catheter-phased radiofrequency energy: 2-year follow-up and predictors of failure.

Aims: In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) the pattern of atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and the total AF burden, may be related to the efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). We evaluated (pre)-procedural factors explaining the long-term outcome after PVI, using a ring-shaped multielectrode ablation catheter [pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC)].

Methods And Results: A total of 120 consecutive patients with PAF were treated with the PVAC.

Arrhythmia detection after atrial fibrillation ablation: value of incremental monitoring time.

Background: After pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), patients need to be followed to analyze the effect of the treatment. We evaluated the influence of the duration of Holter monitoring on the detection of arrhythmia recurrences after a single PVI at 12 months.

Methods: Consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent successful PVI with phased radiofrequency and pulmonary vein ablation catheter.

Early recurrence of atrial fibrillation as a predictor for 1-year efficacy after successful phased RF pulmonary vein isolation: evaluation of complaints and multiple Holter recordings.

Background: Early arrhythmia recurrences after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) are accepted as part of the blanking period. Their relevance for long-term efficacy is not well-known. We evaluated patients, who came to hospital with a documented recurrence of AF, or had a registered episode of AF on the 24-hour Holter 6 weeks after PVI and compared it with long-term outcome.

Pulmonary vein anatomy and long-term outcome after multi-electrode pulmonary vein isolation with phased radiofrequency energy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Aims: We evaluated the effect of pulmonary vein (PV) anatomical characteristics on PV isolation (PVI) and long-term efficacy of ablation with phased radiofrequency (RF) energy and pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) multi-electrode catheter.

Methods And Results: Before the procedure, PV anatomy was visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were treated with the PVAC with successful acute isolation.

Pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial complex-fractionated atrial electrograms ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation with phased radio frequency energy and multi-electrode catheters: efficacy and safety during 12 months follow-up.

Aims: Ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a difficult and time-consuming procedure with varying degrees of success. We evaluated the long-term effects of a novel approach for ablation of persistent AF using multi-electrode catheters.

Methods And Results: In 89 patients with longstanding persistent AF (>1 year), multi-electrode ablation was performed with a pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC), a multi-array septal catheter (MASC), and a multi-array ablation catheter (MAAC) for ablation of complex-fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) at the septum, left atrial (LA) roof, floor, posterior wall, and mitral isthmus.