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Background The impact of body mass index (BMI) on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using cryoballoon (CB) has been seldom reported. Purpose To evaluate the impact of BMI on procedural data as well as the clinical efficacy and safety character of using CB. Methods Symptomatic AF patients (paroxysmal / persistent AF) with BMI ≥25 who underwent CB based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were enrolled. CB PVI was performed using the second generation CB (CB 2, 28mm), with 4min based freeze protocol and bonus freeze delivery in case of time-to-isolation (TTI) >75 sec. All procedures were performed under conscious sedation. Procedural endpoint was electrical pulmonary vein isolation. Clinical success was defined as no recurrence of AF/atrial tachycardia (AT). Results Data from 600 consecutive patients were collected. Three groups defined: BMI 25–29 (Group 1, G1 n=337); BMI 30–34 (Group 2, G2 n=149); BMI ≥35 (Group 3, G3 n=114). Patients in Group 3 were younger (G1: 67±11 y; G2: 68±10y G3 62±11y; p Among 2342 Targeted PVs, 2332 (99,6%) were isolated using solely the CB (G2: one procedure was abolished due to failed aortic puncture during transseptal access; G3: one PVI was not completed due to PNP; 6 touch up RF ablation in G1 and 2 in G3). Procedure time (G1:58,45 min; G2: 60,44 min; G3 63,19 min) and fluoroscopy time (G1: 9,3 min; G2: 9,5 G3: 10,6 min) were comparable among the groups. PN Injury was the main recorded complication: 20/600 (2,6%) patients with a transient PN palsy (PNP) and 6/600 (1%) with a persistent PNP. No sedation related complication was recorded. Follow up survival curve analysis after one year revealed a favorable follow up in G1 (78,4%) and G2 (82,5%) compared to G3 (66,5%) (G1 Vs G3 p: 0,002 G2 vs G3 p=0,008, G1 vs G2 p=0,47). The influence of BMI on the follow up was confirmed in the subgroup of patients with paroxysmal AF but not in patients presenting persistent AF. Conclusions Cryoballoon ablation in obese patients is feasible and associated with a relatively low complication rate. BMI plays a role in predicting recurrences especially in patients presenting with paroxysmal AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Introduction Direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) therapy represents the standard of care in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and increased stroke risk. In a real world setting withholding DOAC medication before elective AF ablation is considered to reduce procedural bleeding risks. The aim of this study was to determine the individual DOAC level prior to the ablation procedure, to identify predisposing factors affecting traceable DOAC levels and to screen for associated severe adverse events. Methods Between September 2016 and March 2019 blood samples were obtained from patients on DOAC before an elective AF ablation. Per institutional standard all patients have been instructed to pause DOAC medication prior ablation for one or two doses depending on the patient profile and type of medication. The time interval between ablation and last DOAC intake was calculated in hours. Patient characteristics, procedural data and in-hospital complications were noted from all patients. Results A total of 1000 patients (60% male, age: 68y, GFR 83.25: BMI: 28, CHADSVASC score 3) undergoing AF ablation were included. Two groups were defined. Group A (n=416, 41.6%): patients treated with “single pill” DOAC (Rivaroxaban (n=288, 28.8%) and Edoxaban (n=128, 12.8%)). Group B (n=584, 58.4%): patients treated with twice a day DOAC (Apixaban (n=505, 50.5%) and Dabigatran (n=79, 7.9%)). The only difference in patient characteristics was an increased prior bleeding history in group B. The DOAC pause was significantly longer in group A (mean 40h) compared to group B (mean 32h), p=0.026. In a total of 217 patients (21.7%) DOAC levels where traceable prior to AF ablation. Traceable DOAC levels were significantly more common in group B (n=144/584, 24.7%) compared to group A (n=73/416, 17.5%). Adverse events occurred in 5.7% of patients (0.4% stroke, 0.3% tamponade, 2.5% hematoma, 1.9% AV-fistel, 0.7% pseudoaneurysma). T-Test analysis showed no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events between both groups. Conclusion Despite of interrupting DOACs before an elective AF ablation therapeutic substance levels can be detected in >20% of patients. The rate of adverse events was not different between “single pill” vs. twice a day DOAC intake. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None