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The atrial defibrillation threshold (ADFT) for internal cardioversion is theoretically related to the critical mass for sustaining atrial fibrillation (AF).This study aimed to investigate the association of ADFT for internal cardioversion with the outcome of catheter ablation for non-paroxysmal AF (non-PAF).We included 368 consecutive patients who underwent first-time catheter ablation for non-PAF. Based on the degree of ADFT recorded by the internal cardioversion before pulmonary vein isolation, we divided the patients into low ADFT (20 J) and high ADFT (≥20 J) groups and analysed the association between ADFT and atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence.There were 234 and 134 patients in the low and high ADFT groups, respectively. Of these, 39 patients (16.7%) and 41 (30.6%) patients, respectively, had atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence during the 2.6±1.0 year follow-up. The high ADFT group showed a significantly higher atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence than the low ADFT group (p=0.002). This finding was also noted in patients with long-standing persistent AF (p=0.032) but not in patients with persistent AF (p=0.159). The significant predictors of arrhythmia recurrence on multivariate analysis were high ADFT (p=0.004) and long-standing persistent AF (p=0.011). In multivariate analysis within the long-standing persistent AF group, only ADFT remained a significant risk factor for AF recurrence (p=0.035).The high ADFT of internal cardioversion was found to be a risk factor for post-catheter ablation recurrence in patients with long-standing persistent AF but not in those with persistent AF.

Background The relationship between nutritional status and the incidence or prognosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported, but no studies have described the relationship between the outcomes of AF catheter ablation (CA) and nutritional status as assessed by various scoring tools. We aimed to verify the hypothesis that preoperative nutritional status is associated with arrhythmia recurrence after CA for AF.Methods and Results:We evaluated 913 patients (age, 67±10 years; men, 72%; paroxysmal AF, 56%) who underwent CA for AF between November 2011 and November 2017. Patients were systematically followed with an endpoint of atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence, the predictive value of which was compared among 3 scoring tools (Controlling Nutritional Status [CONUT] score / Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index [GNRI] / Prognostic Nutritional Index [PNI]). Patients were divided into normal nutrition (CONUT 98 [n=836] / PNI >38 [n=910]) and undernutrition (CONUT ≥2 [n=276] / GNRI ≤98 [n=77] / PNI ≤3 [n=3]) groups. AF recurred in 274 patients (mean follow-up, 2.3±0.8 years). The AF recurrence rate was higher in patients with undernutrition than in those with normal nutrition (CONUT/GNRI) status. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified undernutrition status (GNRI ≤98) as an independent predictor of atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence. Conclusions The AF recurrence rate after CA was higher in patients with undernutrition than in those with normal nutrition as stratified by the nutrition scoring tools.

Catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) in patients with persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is challenging because of anatomical abnormalities of Koch's triangle associated with the enlarged coronary sinus ostium. We present the Case of successful ablation in a patient with PLSVC using the cryoablation technique. The ablation was successfully performed without damaging the conduction system by virtue of “cryomapping” and “cryoadhesion.” Cryoablation is a safe and efficacious alternative to radiofrequency catheter ablation for the treatment of AVNRT associated with PLSVC., Highlights • Catheter ablation for AVNRT in patients with PLSVC is challenging • We performed successful ablation in a PLSVC patient with the cryoablation technique • Ablation was successfully performed without damaging the conduction system

Aims We aimed to examine the benefits of catheter ablation in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) accompanied by heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), in comparison with the benefits in patients with AF accompanied by HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or patients with no HF. Methods and results From 1173 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation, 502 with non-paroxysmal AF were divided into three groups: no history of HF [plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) Conclusion Catheter ablation is highly feasible for restoring sinus rhythm in non-paroxysmal AF with coexisting HFpEF, thereby improving cardiac function and BNP levels. Catheter ablation for AF may be an optional management strategy.