Differences In Tissue Injury and Ablation Outcomes In Atrial Fibrillation Patients - Manual versus Robotic Catheters.

Robots have gained their place in almost all areas of our daily life. Robotic systems have been introduced for ablation therapies associated with the hope of automation of procedures, increase in precision of lesion placement, improved energy transmission to the tissue and reduction in radiation exposure of the patients and the interventionalist. Finally, they may be associated with higher comfort for the operator by transferring his work into the control room and thereby supersede wearing sterile and radiation protective clothing.

Long-term outcomes after cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation: results from a prospective study in 605 patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate long-term outcomes of freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using cryoballoon ablation with balloon-size selection based on individual PV diameters.

Background: Data are lacking on long-term outcomes from cryoablation and on the most effective balloon size.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving 605 consecutively enrolled patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF (n = 579) or persistent AF.

Left atrial lesion formation and volume overload by open irrigation ablation technology during pulmonary vein antrum isolation: acute effects on cardiac hemodynamics.

Purpose: Our goal was to evaluate acute effects of left atrial lesion formation and volume overload on hemodynamics during pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) as it might be a potential cause of acute pulmonary edema.

Methods: In consecutive patients presenting for PVAI, open irrigation ablation was performed (50 W, 48°C, 15 s lesion duration, saline flow rate 30 mL/min). Blood samples were drawn from the left atrium and the pulmonary artery immediately before and 30 min after PVAI.

Image-integration of intraprocedural rotational angiography-based 3D reconstructions of left atrium and pulmonary veins into electroanatomical mapping: accuracy of a novel modality in atrial fibrillation ablation.

Introduction: Exact visualization of complex left atrial (LA) anatomy is crucial for safety and success rates when performing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of our study was to validate the accuracy of integrating rotational angiography-based 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of LA and pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy into an electroanatomical mapping (EAM) system.

Methods And Results: In 38 patients (62 +/- 8 years, 25 females) undergoing catheter ablation of paroxysmal (n = 19) or persistent (n = 19) AF, intraprocedural rotational angiography of LA and PVs was performed.

Three-dimensional left atrial and esophagus reconstruction using cardiac C-arm computed tomography with image integration into fluoroscopic views for ablation of atrial fibrillation: accuracy of a novel modality in comparison with multislice computed tomography.

Background: Visualization of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) is crucial in PV isolation (PVI). Additional delineation of the esophagus might avoid severe side effects. Cardiac C-arm computed tomography (DynaCT Cardiac, Siemens AG, Forchheim, Germany) has been introduced as a novel intraprocedural imaging modality based on a rotational angiography.

Surgical feasibility of the injection of fibrin sealant in cardiac fat pads to reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery: a pilot study.

Objective: : Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common complication following coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery.The autonomic nervous system is an important determinant in the development of AF. We have assessed the role of injection of fibrin sealant (FS) as a method to modify conduction in the fad pads, to mimic temporary denervation and to reduce the incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery.