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Aims: The GOLD AF Registry has been designed to prospectively assess the population, indications, and outcomes using second-generation phased radiofrequency (RF) ablation (pulmonary vein ablation catheter GOLD) in a global examination of standard-of-care use for the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF)., Methods and Results: GOLD AF (NCT02433613) is a prospective, observational, multi-centre registry designed to characterize efficacy and safety of phased RF ablation in patients with AF. The primary endpoint was freedom from AF recurrence at 12-month follow-up after a 90-day blanking period. Ancillary objectives include safety, procedural efficiency, and quality of life (QoL). The QoL assessment using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Score of AF-related symptoms was collected at baseline and 12 months. In total, 1054 patients were included in this analysis (age 60.6, 67.6% male, 26.5% PersAF). Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from AF recurrence was 77.7% at 12 months. Peri-procedural device or procedure-related complications were observed in 26 (2.5%) patients, with a low stroke rate of 0.3%. One-year post-ablation, the EHRA AF Symptom score decreased in 68% of patients. The AFEQT score improvement was observed in 88.4% and 90.4% of patients who completed the questionnaire in-person or interviewed by phone at 12 month follow-up, respectively., Conclusion: Phased RF ablation for the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent AF demonstrated a 77.7% freedom from AF recurrence at 12 months in addition to a significant reduction in arrhythmia symptoms and clinically meaningful improved QoL. Low peri-procedural complication rate of <3% was reported., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Background: High incidences of silent cerebral ischemia (SCI) have been revealed by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation. A high number of mostly gaseous micro-embolic signals (MESs) was detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD) during PVI. In this investigation the possible relationship between MESs detected intraoperatively by TCD and new SCI on DW MRI post-ablation is reported., Methods: 27 consecutive atrial fibrillation patients (6 female, age median: 64 interquartile range: 13.23) undergoing PVI with the pulmonary vein ablation catheter, pre- and post-ablation DW MRI and intra-operative MES detection by TCD were included in the study. Procedures were performed on a therapeutic international normalized ratio (2-3) and with a target activated clotting time ≥ 350 s in all patients. DW MRI scans performed pre- and post-ablation revealed new SCI in 6 out of 27 (22%) patients., Results: The median (interquartile range) MES count recorded during the whole procedure was 1642 (912) in patients with and 1019 (529) in those without SCI (p = 0.129). The number of MESs recorded during pulmonary vein angiography was significantly higher in patients as compared to those without a new lesion on the post-ablation DW MRI: 257 (249) vs. 110 (71), respectively (p = 0.0009). On mul-tivariate logistic regression, the total MES count was predictive of SCI in patients older than 68 years., Conclusions: Micro-embolus generation detected by TCD during pulmonary vein angiography significantly correlates with new SCI on DW MRI post-ablation.

Aims: This prospective, multicentre study (PRECISION GOLD) evaluated the incidence of asymptomatic cerebral embolism (ACE) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using a new gold multi-electrode radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter, pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) GOLD. Also, procedural efficiency of PVAC GOLD was compared with ERACE. The ERACE study demonstrated that a low incidence of ACE can be achieved with a platinum multi-electrode RF catheter (PVAC) combined with procedural manoeuvres to reduce emboli., Methods and Results: A total of 51 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) (age 57 ± 9 years, CHA2DS2-VASc score 1.4 ± 1.4) underwent AF ablation with PVAC GOLD. Continuous oral anticoagulation using vitamin K antagonists, submerged catheter introduction, and heparinization (ACT ≥ 350 s prior to ablation) were applied. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed within 48 h before and 16-72 h post-ablation. Cognitive function assessed by the Mini-Mental State Exam at baseline and 30 days post-ablation. New post-procedural ACE occurred in only 1 of 48 patients (2.1%) and was not detectable on MRI after 30 days. The average number of RF applications per patient to achieve PVI was lower in PRECISION GOLD (20.3 ± 10.0) than in ERACE (28.8 ± 16.1; P = 0.001). Further, PVAC GOLD ablations resulted in significantly fewer low-power (<3 W) ablations (15 vs. 23%, 5 vs. 10% and 2 vs. 7% in 4:1, 2:1, and 1:1 bipolar:unipolar energy modes, respectively). Mini-Mental State Exam was unchanged in all patients., Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation ablation with PVAC GOLD in combination with established embolic lowering manoeuvres results in a low incidence of ACE. Pulmonary vein ablation catheter GOLD demonstrates improved biophysical efficiency compared with platinum PVAC., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01767558., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Background: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is considered a technically challenging procedure, studies on the learning curve of different pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) techniques are limited. We investigated the time-dependent changes in procedural parameters, complication rates, and in the 1-year clinical outcome during our initial experience with circular multipolar phased radiofrequency (RF) ablation., Methods and Results: The first 132 consecutive patients (40 female; age: 56.6 ± 10.4 years) who underwent PVI with phased RF ablation for paroxysmal or persistent AF at our center were included in the study. Procedural parameters and atrial arrhythmia-free survival were compared in the first, second and third group of 44 successive patients. All pulmonary veins were successfully isolated in 44 (100%), 41 (93.8%) and 42 (95.5%) patients in Tierce 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p = 0.233). The number of RF applications (per vein) required for isolation and fluoroscopy times demonstrated a significant decrease with experience, and a trend towards lower procedure times in Tierces 2 and 3 was also observed. Atrial arrhythmia-free survival rates at 12 months postablation were 68.18%, 75%, and 70.75% in Tierce 1, Tierce 2 and Tierce 3, respectively (p = 0.772). Pericardial tamponade requiring percutaneous subxiphoid drainage occurred in 1 patient (Tierce 3) as the only significant procedural complication., Conclusions: A learning curve effect was demonstrated in fluoroscopy times and in the number of RF applications but not in the acute success and in the long-term arrhythmia-free survival with circular multipolar RF ablations.

Background: Clinically silent cerebral ischemia (SCI) detected by diffusion-weighted MRI has been reported in 5-40% of patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Although initial reports suggested a high rate of SCI with phased radiofrequency (RF) ablation on use of the pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC), the incidence was subsequently markedly reduced in consequence of procedural modifications in recent studies. We analyzed cerebral microembolization as assessed with transcranial Doppler during phased RF ablation and with two other single-shot AF ablation technologies: the cryoballoon (CB) and the nMARQ™ multipolar irrigated RF ablation system., Methods and Results: A total of 89 patients (mean age: 57, SD: 12years; 62 males) with paroxysmal or persistent AF underwent PVI. Phased RF was used according to the initial protocol in 7 patients (PVAC Group I), with procedural modifications and a newer (14.4) version of the RF generator in 37 patients (PVAC Group II) and with the most recent (version 15.1) generator in 18 patients (PVAC Group III). Ablation was performed with the CB in 13 and with the nMARQ system in 14 patients. The number of microemboli (mean+(SD)) detected in the middle cerebral arteries was 2703 (918) in PVAC Group I, 1087 (542) in PVAC Group II, 719 (469) in PVAC Group III, 1057 (784) with CB and 2166 (1047) with nMARQ (p<0.01)., Conclusion: Significant decreases in MES counts were observed thanks to the procedural modifications and newer RF generator with phased RF. High MES counts comparable to those with the initial phased RF resulted from the use of nMARQ., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation has increasingly been used to cure atrial fibrillation, but concerns have recently been raised that subclinical brain damage may occur because of microembolization during these procedures. We compared the occurrence of bubble formation seen on intracardiac echocardiography and the microembolic signals (MESs) detected by transcranial Doppler on the use of different ablation techniques and anticoagulation strategies., Methods and Results: This prospective study included 35 procedures in 34 consecutive patients (age, 52; SD, 12.8 years; female:male 9:25). Pulmonary vein isolation was performed with a cryoballoon and the conventional anticoagulation protocol (activated clotting time >250 s) in 10 procedures (group 1), with a multipolar duty-cycled radiofrequency pulmonary group 2), and with regime a pulmonary vein ablation catheter with an aggressive anticoagulation (activated clotting time >320 s) in 13 procedures (group 3). The mean total numbers of MESs detected during the procedures were 833.7 (SD, 727.4) in group 1, 3142.6 (SD, 1736.4) in group 2, and 2204.6 (SD, 1078.1) in group 3 (P=0.0005). MESs were detected mostly during energy delivery in the pulmonary vein ablation catheter groups, whereas a relatively even distribution of emboli formation was seen during cryoballoon ablations. A significant correlation was found in all groups between the degree of bubble formation on intracardiac echocardiography and the number of MESs (P=0.0000)., Conclusions: Duty-cycled radiofrequency ablation is associated with significantly more MESs, even when more aggressive anticoagulation is applied. With both techniques most of these microemboli are gaseous in nature.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation of common atrial flutter requires the creation of a complete transmural ablation line across cavotricuspid region to achieve bidirectional conduction block. Irrigated tip catheters facilitate rapid achievement of this block by creation larger and deeper lesions. The EASTHER registry was organized to collect data about the efficacy of the procedure in small and middle volume centres in Central and Eastern Europe, all using THERMOCOOL catheter technology., Methods: Easther is a prospective registry (April 2002-February 2003). 133 consecutive patients (81.1% male, age 59.0 +/- 10.4 years, range 30-81 years) with common atrial flutter were enrolled. Coincidence with atypical flutter was observed in 2.7%. Patients had a history of flutter of 31.0 +/- 53.6 month (range 1-403) and concomitant atrial fibrillation was observed in 42.9%. Structural heart disease was present in 38.9%. Amount of re-ablated cases was 14%. RF energy was applied during 60 sec in power-controlled mode at a setting between 40 to 50 W with an average flow rate of 19.0 ml/min., Results: Acute success rate defined as bi-directional block was achieved in 93.1%, although 94.7% of cases were assessed successful by the treating electrophysiologist. Average number of RF applications was 12.0 +/- 7.0 (range 2-40) per procedure. Average delivered power varied between a minimum of 36.1 +/- 15.1 W till a maximum of 45.3 +/- 13.0 W, while the average maximum temperature observed at the same time was varied between 39.0 +/- 3.4 degrees C and 45.4 +/- 4.0 degrees C. Total procedure time was 100.1 +/- 42.7 min (range 20-280 min) and fluoroscopy time was 15.8 +/- 9.6 min (range 4-45 min). In comparable French TC registry Average total and fluoroscopy time were 46.4 +/- 33.6 min, and 10.0 +/- 6.8 min resp. In the Middle European centres total and fluoroscopy time was 96.1 +/- 40.9 min, and 15.0 +/- 8.9 min resp. In centres from Eastern Europe it was 120.3 +/- 51.2 min, and 20.4 +/- 11.9 min resp. Two adverse events were reported. Both patients had strong chest pain during ablation. These results are comparable with the literature data published., Conclusions: Irrigated tip catheters are effective and safe in ablation of common atrial flutter. This technology helps to accelerate and facilitate achievement of bi-directional isthmus block. Most of procedures were terminated to one hour in experienced centers in France as early as 2002. Procedures not exceeding one hour are feasible in case of spreading this method as method of first choice with gaining of experiences in centres of Middle and Eastern Europe.

Erect posture could be a source of diverse chronic symptoms usually referred as orthostasis intolerance. Increasing number of patients suffering from orthostatic syndromes is recognized. Characterization and distinction of these orthostatic syndromes are based on the clinical presentation; including the typical history of orthostasis intolerance, and the unique hemodynamic responses on assuming upright posture. The diagnosis of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) requires orthostatic heart rate acceleration in excess of 120 beat/min, or an absolute increase of > or = 30 beat/min, in the absence of significant orthostatic hypotension. Subjects with POTS often exhibit more widespread symptoms of autonomic dysregulation. The diagnosis of inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is based on the presence of resting tachycardia defined by pulse rate of > or = 100 beat/min, or a heart rate acceleration to same range in response to minimal stress, or activity. For the illustration of the difficulties in differentiation between these overlapping syndromes the authors present a case with POTS. The unique features of the presented case are the extreme orthostatic tachycardia (170/min), and the unexpected therapeutic effect of sinus node radiofrequency modification. We suggest a relationship between the peak orthostatic heart rate and the therapeutic value of sinus node modification.

The authors provide an update on non-pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). They emphasize that although antiarrhythmic drugs continue to be first-line therapy for the arrhythmia considered to be a cardiovascular epidemic, clinical research to develop non-pharmacological means of treatment has been unprecedentally intensified during the last decade. Electrical cardioversion is the most successful non-pharmacological method to restore sinus rhythm, also the efficacy and safety of AV node ablation for palliative ventricular rate-controll is established. "Hybrid" therapeutic procedures, involving combinations of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have gained widespread use. Curative transcatheter ablation for arrhythmia prevention is to be considered in case of clinical suggestions that AF is initiated by a primary regular arrhythmia that is amenable to routine catheter ablation (secondary AF). Despite encouraging results, at this point in time, curative catheter ablation for primary AF may offer significant improvement or even cure only for a small subset of patients, mostly young individuals with normal heart, and paroxysmal AF with frequent, symptomatic episodes refractory to multiple antiarrhythmic drugs. These interventions are to be performed in the settings of a clinical research project in some institutions. Regarding pacemaker therapy in case of bradycardia indication, physiologic pacing (AAI or DDD) is associated with significantly lower incidence of atrial fibrillation than ventricular pacing. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the clinical value of specially designed implantable devices to prevent atrial fibrillation in patients with no conventional bradycardia indication. Also, technical optimization and proper clinical evaluation is needed for implantable atrioverters and implantable cardioverter defibrillators capable of atrial cardioversion therapy.