Focal atrial tachycardias originating from the aorta-mitral continuity: Anatomical and electrophysiological characteristics.

Background: The aorta-mitral annulus conjunction (AMC) is an uncommon site of origin of focal atrial tachycardias (ATs). Hence, the electrophysiological and ablation target characteristics are poorly described.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of AMC ATs in detail.

Cryoballoon ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation for de novo pulmonary vein isolation: a single-center follow-up study.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone for persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) remains controversial. The characteristics of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) to treat PersAF and the blanking period recurrence are underreported.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed patients with PersAF undergoing second-generation CBA for de novo PVI.

Treatment Strategy in Atrial Tachycardia Originating From the Atrial Appendage.

Atrial appendage tachycardia (AAT) originating from the atrial appendage (AA) is extremely difficult to eliminate using radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). The optimal management strategy for AAT refractory to RFCA remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the long-term result of ablative therapy and the optimal alternative management for AAT refractory to RFCA.

Outcomes of Different Ablation Approaches for Para-Hisian Accessory Pathway and Ablation Safety at Each Site.

Background: This study describes the electrophysiologic characteristics of the para-hisian accessory pathway (AP), the outcome of different ablation approaches, and ablation safety at different sites.

Method: A total of 120 patients diagnosed as para-hisian AP were included in this study. The electrophysiologic characteristics and outcomes at different ablation sites were analyzed.

Predictors and Long-Term Outcome of Ablation of Discrete Pre-potentials in Patients With Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating From the Aortic Sinuses of Valsalva.

The predictability and long-term outcome of the discrete pre-potential (DPP) of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva (ASV) have not been fully identified. Of 687 consecutive patients undergoing ablation of outflow tract VAs, there were 105 (15.3%) patients with VAs originating from the ASV region who were included.

Sequential versus optimized pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a pilot study.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate whether the sequence of wide circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation had an effect on the acute reconnection or long-term effectiveness in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: One hundred consecutive paroxysmal AF patients, who were scheduled to accept PVI, were enrolled and randomized into two groups: (1) optimized group. Lesions were first applied to the anterior/posterior carina and the ridge between the left atrial (LA) appendage and the left pulmonary vein (PV).

Safety and Efficacy Using the Second-Generation Cryoballoon in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and a Common Ostium of Inferior Pulmonary Veins.

Common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins (COIPV) is a kind of pulmonary vein variation. The safety and efficacy of COIPV isolation using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation remain unknown. A total of 10 patients with COIPV from a consecutive series of 1,751 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were included.

Pulmonary vein isolation implemented by second-generation cryoballoon for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation: a case-control study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a generally acknowledged turning-point of the natural history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); however, data from the cryoballoon ablation (CBA) for AF in HCM patients are relatively scarce. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CBA in HCM patients with AF.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed HCM patients among 1253 patients with symptomatic AF who underwent CBA for pulmonary vein isolation in a single center.

Electrical isolation of the superior vena cava using second-generation cryoballoon in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The safety and efficacy of superior vena cava (SVC) isolation using second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation remain unknown.

Methods: A total of 26 (3.2%) patients with SVC-related paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) from a consecutive series of 806 patients who underwent second-generation CB were included.

Safety and efficacy of superior vena cava isolation using the second-generation cryoballoon ablation in a canine model.

Background: The safety and efficacy of superior vena cava (SVC) isolation (SVCI) using second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation remains unknown.

Methods: Electrical isolation of SVC was attempted using the second-generation CB ablation catheter in 14 canines. Ablation duration was randomized to either 90 s (7 canines) or 120 s (7 canines).

Catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia in patients with dextrocardia and situs inversus.

Background: Dextrocardia with situs inversus is a rare cardiac positional anomaly. Catheter ablation procedures performed in this set of patients have not been sufficiently reported.

Methods: A total of 10 patients with dextrocardia and situs inversus who received catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) were included from a cohort of over 20 000 cases of catheter ablation for SVT in three centers from 2005 to 2016.

Ablation of ventricular arrhythmias with predominant monophasic "R" waves in precordial leads from the left sinus of Valsalva: Electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics.

Background: While the left sinus of Valsalva (LSV) is a frequent origin of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Uncommonly, VAs with right bundle branch block (RBBB) morphology may be successfully terminated from the LSV.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of VAs with RBBB which were successfully eliminated from the LSV.

Long-term outcome of cryoballoon ablation versus radiofrequency ablation for focal atrial tachycardias originating from the pulmonary veins.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the characteristics of focal atrial tachycardias (ATs) arising from the pulmonary veins (PVs), as well as the safety and long-term efficacy of cryoballoon (CB) versus radiofrequency (RF) ablation in this population.

Methods: Eighty-three patients with ATs arising from PVs from a consecutive series of 487 patients who underwent CB and RF ablation were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had a prior history of atrial fibrillation (AF) were excluded.

Procedural findings and clinical outcome of second-generation cryoballoon ablation in patients with variant pulmonary vein anatomy.

Introduction: The procedural findings and clinical outcome of second-generation cryoballoon (CB2) ablation in patients with variant pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy have not been fully investigated.

Methods: A total of 424 consecutive patients who underwent PV isolation with CB2 were included. Computed tomographic (CT) scan was performed in all patients before the procedure.

Predictors of hemoptysis in the setting of pulmonary vein isolation using the second-generation cryoballoon.

Introduction: To assess the predictors of hemoptysis using second-generation cryoballoon (CB).

Methods: Thirty patients with hemoptysis after second-generation CB ablation and 60 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched controls were recruited. Anatomic parameters were obtained from preprocedural cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias with para-Hisian origin via a systematic direct approach from the aortic sinus cusp.

Background: Catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the para-Hisian region could be challenging because of a potential damage to atrioventricular conduction system.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of VAs originating from the para-Hisian region via a systematic direct approach from aortic sinus cusps (ASCs).

Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients with VAs with para-Hisian origin were included.

Right atrial dual-loop reentrant tachycardia after cardiac surgery: Prevalence, electrophysiological characteristics, and ablation outcomes.

Background: Right atrial (RA) dual-loop reentrant tachycardia has been described in patients who have undergone open heart surgery. However, the prevalence, electrophysiological (EP) substrate, and ablation outcomes have been poorly characterized.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, EP substrate, and ablation outcomes for RA dual-loop reentrant tachycardia after cardiac surgery.

"Crosstalk" technique: A comparison between two generations of cryoballoon catheter.

Introduction: The "Crosstalk" technique: if pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of the superior one is not achieved due to a gap in the inferior part, it could be done during inferior vein cryoablation. This maneuver minimizes the total energy delivery time and number of lesions. We aimed to correlate the likelihood of crosstalk phenomenon with certain anatomic characteristics.

Electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic differentiation between atriofascicular, long atrioventricular, and short atrioventricular decrementally conducting accessory pathways.

Aims: We aimed to examine the electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of anterograde-conducting decremental accessory pathways (DAP) and to identify surrogate criteria to distinguish short atrioventricular (SAV) DAP from atriofascicular (AF) AP and long atrioventricular (LAV) DAP.

Methods And Results: We identified all patients with DAPs and analysed electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics. Distal insertion sites were examined using existing criteria, including V-H interval, ventricular activation at the right ventricular apex, and around tricuspid annulus during antidromic atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (A-AVRT) or complete pre-excitation and evaluated the AV node-like properties according to the response to adenosine and radiofrequency ablation.

Pulmonary vein isolation with real-time pulmonary vein potential recording using second-generation cryoballoon: Procedural and biophysical predictors of acute pulmonary vein reconnection.

Objective: The study sought to evaluate the procedural and biophysical factors related to acute pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) guided by real-time pulmonary vein (PV) potential recordings.

Methods: A total of 180 consecutive patients with drug-resistant atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing CB2 (second-generation version of cryoballoon) ablation were enrolled. Real-time monitoring of PV potentials was obtained using an inner lumen spiral mapping catheter.

Focal atrial tachycardias from the parahisian region: Strategies for mapping and catheter ablation.

Background: Focal atrial tachycardias (ATs) from the parahisian region can be successfully ablated from the right atrial septum (RAS), noncoronary cusp (NCC), and right middle septum (RMS). The optimal mapping and ablation strategy for ATs from these sites remains unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrophysiologic characteristics and optimal ablation sites of parahisian ATs from the RAS, RMS, and NCC.