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Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology

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Open Access 01-10-2020 | Atrial Fibrillation

The industrialization of ablation: a highly standardized and reproducible workflow for radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation

Authors: Tom De Potter, Tina D. Hunter, Lee Ming Boo, Sofia Chatzikyriakou, Teresa Strisciuglio, Etel Silva, Peter Geelen

Published in: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background or Purpose

The purpose of this analysis was to report on efficacy of a standardized workflow for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using technology advances such as 3D imaging and contact force sensing in a real-world setting.

Methods

Consecutive AF ablations from 2014 to 2015 at a high-volume site in Belgium were included. The workflow consisted of a pre-specified procedure sequence including 3D modeling followed by radiofrequency encircling of the pulmonary veins (25 W posterior wall, 35 W anterior wall) with a THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH® Catheter guided by CARTO VISITAG™ Module (2.5 mm/5 s stability, 50% > 7 g) and ablation index (targets: 550 anterior wall, 400 posterior wall). Efficiency endpoints were procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and radiation dose. The primary effectiveness endpoint was freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence.

Results

A total of 605 paroxysmal AF (PAF) and 182 persistent AF (PsAF) patients were followed for 436 ± 199 days. Mean procedure times were short (PAF: 96.1 ± 26.2 min; PsAF: 109.2 ± 35.6 min) with most procedures (90.6% PAF; 81.3% PsAF) completed in ≤ 120 min. Minimal fluoroscopy was utilized (PAF: 6.1 ± 3.8 min, 5.9 ± 3.4 Gy*cm²; PsAF: 6.9 ± 4.7 min, 7.4 ± 4.9 Gy*cm²). Freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence was higher for PAF than PsAF patients (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.9, p = 0.0003), but adjusted mean rates were high in both groups (81.0% vs. 67.9%). Rates were adjusted for prior ablation and age (at 65 years).

Conclusion

AF ablation using a standardized workflow resulted in low procedure times and variability, with minimal fluoroscopy exposure. Long-term freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence was high in both PAF and PsAF populations.

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Title: The industrialization of ablation: a highly standardized and reproducible workflow for radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Tom De Potter
Tina D. Hunter
Lee Ming Boo
Sofia Chatzikyriakou
Teresa Strisciuglio
Etel Silva
Peter Geelen
Publication date: 01-10-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Atrial Fibrillation
Published in: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1383-875X
Electronic ISSN: 1572-8595
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-019-00622-y

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