Endo-/Epicardial Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Feasibility, Outcome, and Insights into Arrhythmia Mechanisms

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Christopher Piorkowski - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Mads Kronborg - , Aarhus University (Author)
  • Jerome Hourdain - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Judith Piorkowski - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Bettina Kirstein - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Sebastian Neudeck - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Simon Wechselberger - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Ellen Päßler - , Steinbeis Research Center Rhythm and Heart (Author)
  • Anastasia Löwen - , Steinbeis Research Center Rhythm and Heart (Author)
  • Ali El-Armouche - , Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Julia Mayer - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Stefan Ulbrich - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Liying Pu - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Utz Richter - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Thomas Gaspar - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Yan Huo - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Background: Until today, catheter interventional mapping and ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been limited to the right and left atrial endocardium. We report feasibility, electrophysiological findings, and clinical outcome using a combined endo-/epicardial catheter approach for mapping and ablation of AF. Methods and Results: Fifty-nine patients with permanence of pulmonary vein isolation and further symptomatic recurrences of paroxysmal AF, persistent AF, or atrial tachycardia underwent reablation using biatrial endo-/epicardial mapping and ablation. Identification of arrhythmia substrates and selection of ablation strategy were based on sinus rhythm voltage mapping. Using continuous monitoring and a 3-month blanking period, freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia ≥2 minutes was defined as primary end point. In all patients, endo-/epicardial mapping and ablation was feasible using standard technologies of catheter access, 3-dimensional mapping, and radiofrequency ablation. Epicardial mapping and ablation did not add procedural risks. Exclusively epicardial low voltage substrates were found in 14% of the patients. For the first time, novel epicardial conduction abnormalities located in the epicardial fiber network were described in human AF patients (19% of the cohort). Epicardial ablation was needed in 80% of the patients. Over 23±10 months of follow-up freedom from arrhythmia recurrences measured 73%. Conclusions: Catheter-based endo-/epicardial mapping and ablation of AF was feasible and safe. Epicardial mapping provided new insights into AF mechanisms. Epicardial ablation increased transmurality of ablation lesions. Clinical outcome in this cohort of complex AF patients was favorable, indicating potential further development of current AF treatment.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere005748
JournalCirculation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology
Volume11
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 29439000
ORCID /0000-0003-2514-9429/work/150884081

Keywords

Keywords

  • atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation, endocardium, epicardial mapping, recurrence