Pulsed field ablation for all types of atrial fibrillation single centre experience with individualized approach and medium-term outcome

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a promising method to reduce procedure time and improve ablation safety and efficacy in all types of atrial fibrillation (AF). Purpose To present ablation approach and medium-term outcomes of PFA in all AF types. Methods Between 9/2021-10/2022, PFA using Farawave catheter was performed in 250 patients (63±11 years, 65 females). Patients with paroxysmal AF were basically scheduled for simple pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) (Farawave, ICE), patients with longstanding AF (LSPAF) underwent complex left atrial (LA) PFA (Farawave, CS 10-pole catheter, ICE); ablation extent varied in persistent AF. Results Paroxysmal AF (n=131; 115 ablated in SR), persistent AF (n=39; 11 ablated in SR), and LSPAF (n=64) were ablated with procedure times 58±20, 105±28, and 116±32 minutes, respectively, and fluoroscopy times 9±5, 14±7, and 17±7 minutes, respectively. Additional 16 patients underwent PFA for atrial tachycardia (AT). Ongoing AF was terminated by PFA in 13/16 (81%), 16/28 (57%), and 23/64 (36%) patients with paroxysmal AF, persistent AF, and LSPAF, respectively. In groups of paroxysmal AF ablated in SR, paroxysmal AF ablated in AF, persistent AF ablated in SR, persistent AF, and LSPAF, simple PVI was performed in 100%, 50%, 73%, 11%, and 0 patients respectively; and freedom from AF/AT was present in 86/99 (87%), 11/14 (79%), 7/10 (70%), 11/12 (92%), and 40/52 (77%) patients, respectively, of total 187 patients with follow-up ≥3 months (≥6 months in 139 patients). In 8 patients with repeat ablation post-PFA for paroxysmal AF (n=4), persistent AF (n=2), LSPAF (n=2), extra-PV AF/AT sources dominated in all groups. Complications included one tamponade with pericardiocentesis, and prolonged ST elevation with negative coronary angiography. Conclusion PFA using Farawave catheter was associated with reduced procedure times and favourable medium-term outcome for all AF types. Early experience specifically suggests improved outcome after extensive LA ablation for persistent AF/LSPAF.