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Introduction: Lesion size index (LSI) was introduced with the use of Tacticath™ and as a surrogate of lesion quality. The metric used to achieve the predetermined values involves combined information of contact force (CF), power and radiofrequency time. Rapid atrial pacing (RAP) and high‐frequency low‐tidal volume ventilation (HFLTV) independently or in combination improve catheter stability and CF and quality of lesions. Data of the impact of body weight adjusted HFLTV ventilation strategy associated with RAP in the lesion metrics still lacking. The study aimed to compare the results of high‐power short‐duration (HPSD) atrial fibrillation ablation using simultaneous weight adjusted HFLTV and RAP and standard ventilation (SV) protocol. Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized study with 136 patients undergoing de novo ablation divided into two groups; 70 in RAP (100 ppm) + HFLTV with 4 mL/kg of tidal volume and 25 breaths/min (group A) and 66 patients with SV in intrinsic sinus rhythm (group B). Ablation using 50 W, CF of 5–10 g/10–20 g and 40 mL/minute flow rate on the posterior and anterior left atrial wall, respectively. Results: No procedure‐related complications. Group A: Mean LSI points 70 ± 16.5, mean total lower LSI 3.4 ± 0.5, mean total higher LSI 8.2 ± 0.4 and mean total LSI 5.6 ± 0.6. Anterior and posterior wall mean total LSI was 6.0 ± 0.4 and 4.2 ± 0.3, respectively. Mean local impedance drop (LID) points were 118.8 ± 28.4, mean LID index (%) 12.9 ± 1.5, and mean LID < 12% points 55.9 ± 23.8. Anterior and posterior wall mean total LID index were 13.6 ± 2.0 and 11.9 ± 1.7, respectively. Recurrence in 11 (15.7%) patients. Group B: Mean LSI points 56 ± 2.7, mean total lower LSI 2.9 ± 0.7, mean total higher LSI 6.9 ± 0.9, and mean total LSI 4.8 ± 0.8. Anterior and posterior wall mean total LSI was 5.1 ± 0.3 and 3.5 ± 0.5, respectively. Mean LID points were 111.4 ± 21.5, mean LID index (%) 11.4 ± 1.2, and mean LID < 12% points 54.9 ± 25.2. Anterior and posterior wall mean total LID index were 11.8 ± 1.9 and 10.3 ± 1.7, respectively. Recurrence in 14 (21.2%) patients. Mean follow up was 15.2 ± 4.4 months. Conclusion: Weight adjusted HFLTV ventilation with RAP HPSD ablation produced lower recurrence rate and better LSI and LID parameters in comparison to SV and intrinsic sinus rhythm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different results are described after atrial fibrillation ablation and multiple predictors of recurrence are well established. Evaluate and analyze if heart rate increase (HRI) during a first atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with low-power long-duration (LPLD) and subsequently with high-power short-duration (HPSD) can impact. Retrospectively analyzed 340 consecutive patients (pts) undergoing first AF ablation. There were 158 pts in LPLD group: 113 (71.5%) paroxysmal AF with ablation with a power of 30/20 w, on anterior and posterior left atrial (LA) wall, respectively, and contact force of 10–30g for 30 s. There were 182 pts in HPSD group: 106 (58.2%) paroxysmal AF, who underwent ablation with 45/50 w, contact force of 8–15g/10–20g and 35 mL/min flow rate on anterior and posterior left atrial wall, respectively. Median follow-up was 32 ± 16 months. Success was observed in 94 (59.5%) patients in LPLD and 152 (83.5%) in HPSD, in LPLD group we documented a median HRI of 4.3 bpm (8%), compared to preablation heart rate, while a higher HRI in HPSD group of HRI 13.5 bpm (27.2%) was noted. Heart rate increase was associated with a higher success rate in both ablation techniques and independently showed an important impact on the success rate after AF ablation. HPSD compared to LPLD showed a higher proportion of HRI and also demonstrated a superiority in maintaining sinus rhythm at a long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background or Purpose: Different atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) may be seen during follow-up after atrial fibrillation ablation. Evaluate and analyze characteristics and management of AT following first atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with high-power short-duration (HPSD) comparing to low-power long-duration (LPLD) and its impact on late outcome.Methods: Observational, retrospective study, 144 patients submitted to HPSD and LPLD ablation. HPSD with 71 and LPLD with 73 patients and no major clinical differences between the two groups.Results: AT occurred in 60 patients (41.67%) in entire follow-up. HPSD 22 patients had AT: 13 during blanking period (BP) and 9 after that. LPLD: 38 patients with AT, 14 during BP and 24 after that. During BP, HPSD showed high rate of atrial flutter/tachycardia in 9 (69.23) of 13 and LPLD 4 (28.57%) of 14 patients. At 12 months' follow-up, 62 (87.32%) of 71 HPSD patients were in sinus rhythm comparing to 49 (67.12%) of 73 patients in LPLD.Conclusions: HPSD ablation produced higher rates of early than late recurrence comparing to LPLD. Regular tachyarrhythmias were most common arrhythmia during BP with HPSD ablation and AF in LPLD. HPSD compared to LPLD showed a superiority in maintaining sinus rhythm at 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]