Venous access closure using a purse-string suture without heparin antagonism or additional compression after MitraClip implantation.

Objectives: This observational study was designed to analyze the safety and feasibility of percutaneous skin closure using a purse-string suture (PSS) after MitraClip procedures.

Methods: Forty-one consecutive patients with severe mitral regurgitation who underwent MitraClip implantation from February 2018 to January 2019 at our institution received a PSS after percutaneous mitral valve repair before withdrawal of the 24-French (Fr) sheath. Protamine was not administered after venous closure at procedure end.

Successful cryoballoon ablation of a focal atrial tachycardia in a patient with situs inversus and dextrocardia.

Cryoballoon ablation of an arrhythmogenic focus alongside a pulmonary vein as an alternative to radiofrequency ablation may be feasible and safe in patients with situs inversus and dextrocardia.

Clinical outcome and left atrial function after left atrial roof ablation using the cryoballoon technique in patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: There are no data concerning clinical outcome and left atrial (LA) function after LA roof ablation using a second-generation cryoballoon (CB) for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Here, we report the first follow-up results after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus LA roof ablation with the CB technique in patients with symptomatic persistent AF.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 107 consecutive patients who underwent CB ablation at our institution with the aim of PVI and bidirectional conduction block across the LA roof.

Five-year experience with pulmonary vein isolation using the second-generation cryoballoon for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: We analyzed the procedural experience and clinical outcome after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) gained over 5 years using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB-Adv).

Methods And Results: For this retrospective study, we enrolled 281 patients undergoing PVI at our institution between 2012 and 2016. The analyzed period was divided into 5 calendar years.

Five-year outcome and predictors of success after second-generation cryoballoon ablation for treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Data on long-term outcomes of cryoballoon ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are sparse. Here, we report the first 5-year follow-up results and predictors of outcome for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB-Adv) in patients with symptomatic AF.

Methods And Results: For this prospective observational study, we enrolled 178 patients with paroxysmal (132/178 [74.

Second-generation cryoballoon ablation as a first-line treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation: Two-year outcome and predictors of recurrence after a single procedure.

Introduction: Antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has limitations. We investigated the 2-year outcome and pre-procedural predictors of recurrence for first-line catheter ablation using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB-Adv) in a large cohort of patients with symptomatic AF.

Methods And Results: For this prospective observational study, we enrolled 457 patients with symptomatic AF (278 paroxysmal, 179 persistent) who had no history of AAD use and who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with the CB-Adv at our institution.

Ice or fire? Comparison of second-generation cryoballoon ablation and radiofrequency ablation in patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation and an enlarged left atrium.

Introduction: We aimed to compare arrhythmia recurrence rates after second-generation cryoballoon (CB-Adv) ablation and radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and left atrial (LA) enlargement.

Methods And Results: Persistent AF patients with LA enlargement were compared using a propensity-score-matching algorithm, and 111 patients treated with CB-Adv ablation and 111 patients treated with RF ablation were selected. The primary endpoint was the first documented >30-second arrhythmia recurrence after a 3-month blanking period.

PLAAF score as a novel predictor of long-term outcome after second-generation cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation.

Aims: Predictors of atrial arrhythmia recurrence have not been described in a long-term follow-up study of patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the cryoballoon technique. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a second-generation cryoballoon and identify pre-procedural predictors of 3-year outcome after PVI.

Methods And Results: For this observational cohort study, we enrolled 440 patients ablated at our institution with a second-generation cryoballoon.

Second-generation cryoballoon ablation for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation: Three-year outcome and predictors of recurrence after a single procedure.

Introduction: Data on long-term outcomes of cryoballoon (CB) ablation for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are sparse. Here, we report the first 3-year follow-up results and predictors of success for catheter ablation using the second-generation CB in patients with persistent AF.

Methods And Results: For this prospective observational study, we enrolled 101 patients ablated with the second-generation CB at our institution.

How safe are NOACs compared with phenprocoumon after pulmonary vein isolation with the cryoballoon technique using purse-string suture closure?

Introduction: The aim of this observational study was to compare the postprocedural incidence of bleeding and thromboembolic complications associated with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) with that of interrupted and continuous phenprocoumon after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using a purse-string suture (PSS) closure of the puncture site.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients who had undergone PVI via cryoballoon ablation were divided into the following groups: (1) interrupted phenprocoumon with heparin bridging (n=101), (2) continuous phenprocoumon targeting an internationally normalized ratio>2 (n=70), and (3) NOACs without bridging that were restarted 2-4h after the procedure (n=185). Protamine was not administered after venous closure with PSS at the end of the procedure.

Safety and feasibility of percutaneous skin closure using purse-string suture compared with compression bandage after pulmonary vein isolation.

Introduction: This observational study was designed to analyze the safety and feasibility of percutaneous skin closure using a purse-string suture and compare it with the use of a compression bandage after pulmonary vein isolation.

Methods And Results: A total of 407 patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (217 with radiofrequency and 190 with cryoballoon ablation) were treated with either purse-string sutures or compression bandages. The purse-string suture was applied after ablation before withdrawal of the sheaths.

Cryoballoon ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: feasibility and safety of left atrial roof ablation with generation of conduction block in addition to antral pulmonary vein isolation.

Aims: Although the generation of linear lesions by ablation improves success rates in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), the procedure has been considered unsuitable for cryoablation balloon catheter technologies. We developed a technique for linear ablations, using second-generation cryoballoon technology.

Methods And Results: This was a single-arm, prospective study in 76 patients with persistent AF treated consecutively at our centre.

The slope of the initial temperature drop predicts acute pulmonary vein isolation using the second-generation cryoballoon.

Aims: There is no objective, early indicator of occlusion quality, and efficacy of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation. As previous experience suggests that the initial cooling rate correlates with these parameters, we investigated the slope of the initial temperature drop as an objective measure.

Methods And Results: A systematic evaluation of 523 cryoapplications in 105 patients using a serial ROC-AUC analysis was performed.

The Impact of Left Atrial Surface Area and the Second Generation Cryoballoon on Clinical Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation Cryoablation.

Aims: In this observational study, we examine the significance of the left atrial (LA) surface area and compare the clinical usage of the Arctic Front Advance (CBA) versus Arctic Front (CB) cryoballoon with the intent to investigate the impact of each in terms of long-term freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) for patients with nonvalvular AF.

Methods: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed while using a cryoballoon ablation catheter in conjunction with an intraluminal circular diagnostic mapping catheter, Achieve. The consecutive patients ablated with CBA were matched with patients previously ablated with CB, using propensity score matching.

Pharmacologic preconditioning therapy prior to atrial septal defect closure in patients at high risk for acute pulmonary edema.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether transient atrial septal defect (ASD) occlusion and, if required, vasodilator therapy would improve the safety of percutaneous ASD closure in high-risk subsets.

Background: While percutaneous ASD closure is generally considered a low risk intervention, hypertensive and elderly patients may develop pulmonary edema following the procedure because of underlying left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction.

Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients who underwent successful percutaneous ASD closures were enrolled into a single-center prospective registry.