Introduction Optimal occlusion of pulmonary vein (PV) is essential for atrial fibrillation (AF) cryoballoon ablation (CBA). The aim of the study was to investigate the performance of two different tools for the assessment of PV occlusion with a novel navigation system in CBA procedure. Methods In consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent CBA procedure with the guidance of the novel 3‐dimentional mapping system, the baseline tool, injection tool and pulmonary venography were all employed to assess the degree of PV occlusion, and the corresponding cryoablation parameters were recorded. Results In 23 patients (mean age 60.0 ± 13.9 years, 56.5% male), a total of 149 attempts of occlusion and 122 cryoablations in 92 PVs were performed. Using pulmonary venography as the gold standard, the overall sensitivity, specificity of the baseline tool was 96.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 90.0%–99.1%), and 40.5% (95% CI 26.0%–56.7%), respectively, while the corresponding value of the injection tool was 69.6% (95% CI 59.7%–78.1%), and 100.0% (95% CI 90.6%–100.0%), respectively. Cryoablation with optimal occlusion showed lower nadir temperature (baseline tool: −44.3 ± 8.4°C vs. −35.1 ± 6.5°C, p < .001; injection tool: −46.7 ± 6.4°C vs. −38.3 ± 9.2°C, p < .001) and longer total thaw time (baseline tool: 53.3 ± 17.0 s vs. 38.2 ± 14.9 s, p = .003; injection tool: 58.5 ± 15.5 s vs. 41.7 ± 15.2 s, p < .001) compared with those without. Conclusions Both tools were able to accurately assess the degree of PV occlusion and predict the acute cryoablation effect, with the baseline tool being more sensitive and the injection tool more specific.

BackgroundThe long-term outcomes of ablation index (AI)-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on atrial fibrillation (AF) and different subtypes of heart failure (HF) remain unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of AI-guided RFCA procedures in patients with AF and concomitant HF.MethodsWe retrospectively included consecutive patients with AF and HF who underwent the initial RFCA procedure with AI guidance from March 2018 to June 2021 in our institution. The patients were categorized into two groups: HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) group and HF with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) +HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) group.ResultsA total of 101 patients were included. HFpEF and HFmrEF + HFrEF groups consisted of 71 (70.3%) and 30 patients (29.7%), respectively. During a median follow-up of 32.0 (18.2, 37.6) months, no significant difference was detected in AF recurrence between groups (21.1 vs. 33.3%) after multiple procedures, whereas the incidence of the composite endpoint of all-cause death, thromboembolic events, and HF hospitalization was significantly lower in HFpEF group (9.9 vs. 25.0%, Log-rank p = 0.018). In multivariable analysis, a history of hypertension [hazard ratio (HR) 4.667, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.433–15.203, p = 0.011], left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) &lt; 50% (HR 5.390, 95% CI 1.911–15.203, p = 0.001) and recurrent AF after multiple procedures (HR 7.542, 95% CI 2.355–24.148, p = 0.001) were independently associated with the incidence of the composite endpoint.ConclusionLong-term success could be achieved in 75% of patients with AF and concomitant HF after AI-guided RFCA procedures, irrespective of different HF subtypes. Preserved LVEF was associated with a reduction in the composite endpoint compared with impaired LVEF. Patients with recurrent AF tend to have a poorer prognosis.

Background Optimal occlusion of pulmonary vein (PV) is essential for atrial fibrillation (AF) cryoballoon ablation (CBA). The aim of the study was to investigate the performance of two different tools for the assessment of PV occlusion with a novel navigation system in CBA procedure. Methods In consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent CBA procedure with the guidance of the novel 3-dimentional mapping system, the baseline tool, injection tool and pulmonary venography were all employed to assess the degree of PV occlusion, and the corresponding cryoablation parameters were recorded. Results In 23 patients (mean age 60.0 + 13.9 years, 56.5% male), a total of 149 attempts of occlusion and 122 cryoablations in 92 PVs were performed. Using pulmonary venography as the gold standard, the overall sensitivity, specificity of the baseline tool was 96.7% (95% CI 90.0% - 99.1%), and 40.5% (95% CI 26.0% - 56.7%), respectively, while the corresponding value of the injection tool was 69.6% (95% CI 59.7% - 78.1%), and 100.0% (95% CI 90.6% - 100.0%), respectively. Cryoablation with optimal occlusion showed lower nadir temperature (baseline tool: -44.3 + 8.4 ℃ vs -35.1 + 6.5 ℃, p < 0.001; injection tool: -46.7 + 6.4 ℃ vs -38.3 + 9.2 ℃, p < 0.001) and longer total thaw time (baseline tool: 53.3 + 17.0 s vs 38.2 + 14.9 s, p = 0.003; injection tool: 58.5 + 15.5 s vs 41.7 + 15.2 s, p < 0.001) compared with those without. Conclusions Both tools were able to accurately assess the degree of PV occlusion and predict the acute cryoablation effect, with the baseline tool being more sensitive and the injection tool more specific.