[Mid-term success rate of single stage hybrid ablation of persistent and long-term persistent atrial fibrillation].

Introduction: Single stage thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a treatment method for persistent and long-term persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) offering the possibility for patients otherwise inconsolable by conventional catheter RFA. We present a pilot group of patients after the introduction of the new method at our clinical center. Patients group: A total of 52 patients aged 61.

Randomized comparison of atrioventricular node re-entry tachycardia and atrial flutter catheter ablation with and without fluoroscopic guidance: ZeroFluoro study.

Aims: Interventional cardiology procedures may expose patients and staff to considerable radiation doses. We aimed to assess whether exposure to ionizing radiation during catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can be completely avoided.

Methods And Results: In this prospective randomized study, patients with SVT (atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia n = 94, typical atrial flutter n = 29) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to catheter ablation with conventional fluoroscopic guidance (CF group) or with the EnSite Precision mapping system [zerofluoro (ZF) group].

Reduced Radiation Exposure Protocol during Computer Tomography of the Left Atrium Prior to Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

(1) Background: Computer tomography (CT) is an imaging modality used in the pre-planning of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) procedure in patients with cardiac arrhythmias. However, it is associated with a considerable ionizing radiation dose for patients. This study aims to develop and validate low-dose CT scanning protocols of the left atrium (LA) for RFA guidance.

Efficacy and safety of novel temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation system during pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: TRAC-AF study.

Background And Purpose: Saline-irrigated radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited by the absence of reliable thermal feedback limiting the utility of temperature monitoring for power titration. The DiamondTemp (DT) ablation catheter was designed to allow efficient temperature-controlled irrigated ablation. We sought to assess the 1-year clinical safety and efficacy of the DT catheter in treating drug-refractory paroxysmal AF.

Intracardiac Echocardiography to Guide Non-fluoroscopic Electrophysiology Procedures.

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is the most practical method for online imaging during electrophysiological procedures. It allows guiding of complex catheter ablation procedures together with electroanatomical mapping systems, either with minimal or with zero fluoroscopy exposure. Besides safe and reproducible transseptal puncture, ICE helps to assess location and contact of the tip of the ablation catheter relative to specific anatomical structures.

Bipolar ablation with contact force-sensing of swine ventricles shows improved acute lesion features compared to sequential unipolar ablation.

Introduction: Despite technical progress, ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence after unipolar ablation remains relatively high (12%-47%). Bipolar ablation has been proposed as an appealing solution that may overcome limitations associated with unipolar ablation settings. We designed an animal study to compare bipolar (BPA) vs sequential unipolar ablation (UPA) using contact force-sensing technology on both ablation catheters.

Comparison of atrial fibrillation ablation efficacy using remote magnetic navigation vs. manual navigation with contact-force control.

Aims: This study aims to compare procedural parameters and clinical efficacy of remote magnetic navigation (RMN) vs. manual navigation (MAN) approach for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: 146 patients with AF were enrolled in the study.

Esophageal positions relative to the left atrium; data from 293 patients before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) of the left atrium (LA) and the esophagus is a simple and safe method for analyzing the relationship between the esophagus and the LA during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this study is to describe the location of the esophagus relative to the LA and mobility of the esophagus during ablation procedure.

Methods: From 3/2011 to 9/2015, 3DRA of the LA and esophagus was performed in 326 patients before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

A Novel Defibrillation Tool: Percutaneously Delivered, Partially Insulated Epicardial Defibrillation.

Introduction: Epicardial defibrillation systems currently require surgical access. We aimed to develop a percutaneous defibrillation system with partially-insulated epicardial coils to focus electrical energy on the myocardium and prevent or minimize extra-cardiac stimulation.

Methods: We tested 2 prototypes created for percutaneous introduction into the pericardial space via a steerable sheath.

Prevalence and Predictors of Early Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased risk of diastolic dysfunction and heart failure. The purpose of this study was to identify independent predictors of early (ie, only exercise-induced) heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and to describe the prevalence of early HFpEF among patients with paroxysmal AF.

Methods And Results: One hundred patients with paroxysmal AF and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) underwent catheterization for left atrial pressure (LAP) measurements at rest and at the peak of arm exercise (LAP-exe).

Three-dimensional rotational angiography of the left atrium and the oesophagus: the short-term mobility of the oesophagus and the stability of the fused three-dimensional model of the left atrium and the oesophagus during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the mobility of the oesophagus and the stability of the three-dimensional (3D) model of the oesophagus using 3D rotational angiography (3DRA) of the left atrium (LA) and the oesophagus, fused with live fluoroscopy during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Methods And Results: From March 2015 to September 2015, 3DRA of the LA and the oesophagus was performed in 33 patients before catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Control contrast oesophagography was performed every 30 min.

Improvement in the prediction of exercise-induced elevation of left ventricular filling pressure in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: Noninvasive diagnosis of exercise-induced elevation of left ventricular filling pressure is difficult and remains unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the ratio of early diastolic transmitral (E) to mitral annular (e') velocity and to determine new parameters or parameter combinations with the ability to predict exercise-induced left atrial pressure (LAP) elevation.

Methods And Results: Eighty patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) referred for catheter AF ablation underwent simultaneous exercise echocardiography and direct invasive LAP measurements, as well as a resting and postexercise biomarker analysis.

Periprocedural 3D imaging of the left atrium and esophagus: comparison of different protocols of 3D rotational angiography of the left atrium and esophagus in group of 547 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of the complex atrial arrhythmias.

A new method in creating 3D models of the left atrium (LA) and esophagus before catheter ablation of atrial arrhythmias is 3D rotational angiography (3DRA) of the LA. The purpose of this retrospective study was to test various acquisition protocols of the 3DRA and attempt to define the parameters influencing the success of the protocols. From August 2010 to November 2014, 3DRA of the LA using the Philips Allura FD 10 X-ray system was performed in 547 consecutive patients using right atrial and left atrial protocols.

Long-term mobility of the esophagus in patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: data from computer tomography and 3D rotational angiography of the left atrium.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) and 3D rotational angiography (3DRA) of the left atrium (LA) are used to evaluate the esophagus prior to radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to compare preprocedural and periprocedural views of the esophagus and the left atrium.

Methods: From September 2011 to August 2012, 3DRA and CT of the LA were performed on 56 patients before they underwent catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Rotational angiography of left ventricle to guide ventricular tachycardia ablation.

Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3 DRA) is a novel imaging method introduced to guide complex catheter ablations of the left atrium. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of the method in visualization of left ventricular anatomy and to develop a corresponding protocol for guidance of ventricular tachycardia ablation. We performed 3D rotational angiography in 13 patients using a direct left atrial protocol for data acquisition and the 3D reconstruction of the left ventricle was achieved in all patients.

Comparison of clinical outcomes and safety of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation supported by data from CT scan or three-dimensional rotational angiogram of left atrium and pulmonary veins.

Background: Catheter ablation in the left atrium has become a common therapeutic strategy in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). The high degree of success and safety profile of this procedure is dependent on precise knowledge of the true anatomy in the chamber. This information is imported mostly from cardiac computed tomography.

Hybrid therapy in the management of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Because of the sub-optimal outcomes and associated risks of medical therapy as well as the recent advances in non-pharmacologic strategies, a multitude of combined (hybrid) algorithms have been introduced that improve efficacy of standalone therapies while maintaining a high safety profile. Antiarrhythmic administration enhances success rate of electrical cardioversion.

3D X-ray imaging methods in support catheter ablations of cardiac arrhythmias.

Cardiac arrhythmias are a very frequent illness. Pharmacotherapy is not very effective in persistent arrhythmias and brings along a number of risks. Catheter ablation has became an effective and curative treatment method over the past 20 years.

Interactions between sleep disordered breathing and atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) have a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to patients with HC without SDB. HC is associated with a high prevalence of AF that contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. SDB is strongly associated with a higher incidence, prevalence, and recurrence of AF in patients without HC.