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 We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of catheter ablation and medical treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods We retrospectively screened consecutive patients with AF and HFpEF who received catheter ablation or medical treatment from December 2017 to June 2021 in our institution. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of all-cause death, thromboembolic events and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Multivariate analysis, 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were employed to adjust for potential confounders. Results A total of 131 patients were included, among whom 71 patients (54.2%) underwent 1.15 + 0.36 catheter ablation procedures. During a median follow-up of 31.8 months, the incidence of the primary endpoint was significantly lower in catheter ablation group (9.9% vs 25.0%, log rank p = 0.018) compared with medical treatment group. In the multivariate model, catheter ablation was independently associated with a lower incidence of the primary endpoint (hazard ratio 0.281, 95% confidence interval 0.110 – 0.721, p = 0.008), which was consistent both in PSM and IPTW cohorts. The New York Heart Association class [2 (1, 2) vs 2 (2, 2), paired p < 0.001], N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide level [334.3 (187.1, 821.8) vs 859.2 (308.4, 1903.0), paired p < 0.001] and left atrial diameter (39.4 + 6.4 vs 41.1 + 6.2, paired p = 0.001) were significantly improved at the end of follow-up in catheter ablation group. Conclusion Catheter ablation was significantly associated with a lower incidence of the composite endpoint, improved HF symptoms and reverse atrial remodeling in AF and concomitant HFpEF.

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.

Background The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, predictors, and management of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombogenic milieu (TM) identified with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with low to moderate thromboembolic (TE) risk. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the baseline clinical data and TEE findings in 391 NVAF patients (54.7 ± 8.9 years, 69.1% male) with low to moderate TE risk according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score. LAA TM was defined as LAA thrombus (LAAT), sludge or spontaneous echo contrast (SEC). Management of LAA TM was at the discretion of the treating physician. Results A total of 43 patients (11.0%) were detected with LAA TM, including 5 with LAAT (11.6%), 4 with LAAT + Sect. (9.3%), 3 with sludge (7.0%), and 31 with Sect. (72.1%). In multivariate model, non-paroxysmal AF (OR 3.121; 95% CI 1.205–8.083, p = 0.019), and a larger left atrial diameter (LAD) (OR 1.134; 95% CI 1.060–1.213, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the presence of LAA TM. All LAATs or sludges effectively resolved after mean duration of 117.5 ± 20.0 days for oral anticoagulant (OAC) medication. TE events occurred in 3 patients (18.8%) among those discontinuing OAC over a mean follow-up of 26.2 ± 8.8 months, while no TE events occurred in patients with continuous OAC. Conclusions LAA TM could be identified in 11.0% in NVAF patients with low to moderate TE risk, especially in those with non-paroxysmal AF and enlarged LAD. Short-term OAC medication could effectively resolve the LAAT or sludge.