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Introduction One question for the technological advancement of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is whether a creative new concept can combine and even improve the diagnostic mapping options of single-tip and basket catheters with the simplicity of the use of balloon catheters for ablation. Herein, we describe the first in-human experience with a single catheter offering such a complete solution. Methods and results A new catheter (Globe®) with a distal multielectrode array consisting of 16 ribs with 122 gold-plated electrodes was used. Each electrode can ablate, pace, and can measure tissue contact, temperature, current, and intracardiac electrograms. The Globe was deployed and removed without difficulty in all 3 patients. Complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was achieved in all 12 veins. In 10 veins, PVI was achieved with a single placement in front of the respective vein (“single circle isolation”). In one subject, the device was repositioned due to the esophagus location. In the other subject, a single gap was observed after circumferential ablation of the right inferior PV. After precise gap identification, the device was adjusted slightly for improved contact at that region, and reablation resulted in immediate PVI. Conclusions PVI isolation could be performed with the new multielectrode array Globe in all 12 PVs offering the option for easy handling and fast “single-shot” PVI. Several continuously updated mapping types from 122 electrodes even in real time during ablation demonstrate the capability to go beyond PVI for voltage mapping plus substrate modification, and for rotor mapping plus rotor ablation.

Introduction The BIFA concept (box isolation of fibrotic areas) supplementing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was implemented in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with fibrotic atrial cardiomyopathy (FACM) to improve catheter ablation outcomes. Methods and results Ninety-two patients with FACM underwent PVI + BIFA. We investigated patient characteristics (58 persistent/34 paroxysmal, 68 ± 8 years, LA 44 ± 7 mm, CHA2 DS2 -VASc 2.6 ± 1.3, FACM I: 15.2%, II: 53.3%, III: 26.1%, IV: 5.4%), periprocedural data concerning fibrosis extent/distribution, and their impact on outcome. Based on severe fibrosis areas (SFAs) of 13.5 ± 13.9 cm2 detected by voltage mapping, 1.4 ± 0.5 boxes (n = 1-3, 2.2-35.3 cm2 ) were applied in the left atrium. With higher grade FACM, SFAs increased and maximum voltage decreased (I/IV: 6.29/3.18 mV). Anterior (ant.) SFAs were found to be more common and larger than posterior (post.) SFAs (58.3% vs. 42.6%, ant. 8.0 ± 8.0 vs. post. 4.7 ± 6.8 cm2 ). In 40 of 92 (43%) patients, both atrial walls were affected with rare cases of solely post. fibrosis (6 of 92, 6.6%). Women (39 of 92, 42%) showed FACM III+IV more often than men (P = 0.022) and can still present paroxysmal while persistent males are more likely to have FACM I-II. Single and multiple procedure (1.2/patient) success was 69% and 83% after 16 ± 8 months with an unfavorable impact of large SFA size, both-sided fibrosis and reduced maximum voltage, independently of patient characteristics and AF type. Conclusion FACM patients are a challenging AF subgroup for catheter ablation. Women seem to show FACM III+IV more often than men. The distribution of left atrial fibrosis is variable but more pronounced anteriorly. Atrial disease is characterized by SFA size but also maximum voltage reduction, both with implications on ablation outcome. Using BIFA, success rates of patients without fibrosis can be approached but are limited in FACM III+IV.

Atrial fibrosis is the fundamental histopathologic finding in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and an important predictor of ablation failure beyond pulmonary vein isolation. There is wide variation in the extent and localization of left atrial fibrosis in patients with paroxysmal and nonparoxysmal AF. Box isolation of fibrotic areas is an effective rhythm control concept in patients with paroxysmal AF despite durable pulmonary vein isolation, and this strategy has recently been implemented successfully in initial AF ablation procedures in addition to pulmonary vein isolation for patients with nonparoxysmal AF. In contrast, the time for “empirical” lines or other nonindividualized substrate modifications seems over.

In the last years, atrial fibrosis was shown to be an independent predictor of procedural failure in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. Ablation strategies have been developed to improve the outcome of catheter ablation by targeting detected areas of fibrosis, based either on endocardial voltage mapping or cardiac magnetic resonance. Box isolation of fibrotic areas (BIFA) is a new and promising patient-tailored ablation strategy for atrial fibrillation patients targeting substantial fibrotic areas by circumferential isolation of left atrial fibrosis. Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Catheter ablation, Fibrosis, Substrate modification

Background Long-term success rates using ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are disappointing and usually do not exceed 60%. Objectives This study sought to compare arrhythmia-free survival between pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and a stepwise approach (full defrag) consisting of PVI, ablation of complex fractionated electrograms, and additional linear ablation lines in the setting of atrial tachycardias (AT) in patients with persistent AF after PVI. Methods From November 2010 to February 2013, 205 patients (151 men; 61.7 ± 10.2 years of age) underwent de novo ablation for persistent AF. Subsequently, patients were prospectively randomized to either PVI alone (n = 78) or full defrag (n = 75), with 52 patients not randomized due to AF termination with the original PVI. The primary endpoint was recurrence of any AT after a blanking period of 3 months. Results During the entire study, 241 ablations were performed (mean: 1.59 in the PVI-alone group, 1.55 in the full-defrag group). With the stepwise approach, termination of AF occurred in 45 (60%) patients. However, arrhythmia-free survival did not differ whether patients underwent single or multiple procedures (p = 0.468). Procedure duration, fluoroscopy time, and radiofrequency duration were significantly longer in the full-defrag group (all p Conclusions A stepwise approach aimed at AF termination does not seem to provide additional benefit over PVI alone in patients with persistent AF, but it is associated with significantly longer procedural and fluoroscopic duration as well as radiofrequency application time. (The Randomized Catheter Ablation of Persist End Atrial Fibrillation Study [CHASE-AF]; NCT01580124 )

Substrate Modification BIFA in AF Ablation Background Catheter ablation strategies beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are less well defined. Increasing clinical data indicate that atrial fibrosis is a critical common left atrial (LA) substrate in AF patients (pts). Objective We applied a new substrate modification concept according to the individual fibrotic substrate as estimated from electroanatomic voltage mapping (EAVM) in 41 pts undergoing catheter ablation of AF. Results First, EAVM during sinus rhythm was done in redo cases of 10 pts with paroxysmal AF despite durable PVI. Confluent low-voltage areas (LVA) were found in all pts and were targeted with circumferential isolation, so-called box isolation of fibrotic areas (BIFA). This strategy led to stable sinus rhythm in 9/10 pts and was transferred prospectively to first procedures of 31 pts with nonparoxysmal AF. In 13 pts (42%), no LVA (

INTRODUCTION Permanent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains an essential goal of ablation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. Aim of this study was the intraindividual comparison of unexcitability to pacing along the ablation line versus dormant conduction (DC) as additional procedural endpoints. METHODS A total of 58 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) underwent PVI by circumferential ablation of ipsilateral pulmonary veins (PVs), followed by testing for DC by adenosine administration. Irrespective of the presence of DC, pacing along the ablation line for left atrium capture was performed and additional radio frequency energy applied if necessary. PVs with initial DC were retested after achieving unexcitability. RESULTS PVI was achieved in 224 of 224 PVs. In 33 of 224 PVs (15%) DC was revealed. At 92 of 112 ablation lines (82%) sites of excitability were found. Three (9%) of the initial 33 PVs with DC showed further DC after achieving unexcitability at repeated testing. Thirty-two of 33 assumed areas of unmasked PV-LA reconduction as revealed by DC-testing showed a corresponding site of excitability on the ablation line. After a follow-up of 11.6 ± 3.4 months 79% of patients were free of arrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS Pacing for unexcitability can safely identify potential sites of DC and even sites that would have not been detected by testing for DC. Unexcitability, therefore, serves as a suitable and safe procedural endpoint not only for patients with contraindications to adenosine administration. Our data suggest that adenosine may be expendable when achieving unexcitability along the ablation line.

Reduced Radiation Exposure in AF Ablation Introduction Recently, a new image integration module (IIM, CartoUnivu™ Module) has been introduced to combine and merge fluoroscopy images with 3-dimensional-(3D)-electroanatomical maps (Carto® 3 System) into an accurate 3D view. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of IIM on the fluoroscopy exposure during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in a prospective randomized trial. Methods and results Between June and November 2014, a total of 60 patients with PAF (73.3% male, 64.0 ± 9.2 years), who underwent PVI with the endpoint of unexcitability of the ablation line, were randomized to either a conventional 3D mapping system (Carto® 3 System) or to an additional IIM on the basis of an assumed reduction of fluoroscopy exposure by the use of IIM. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. The median ablation procedure time was identical in both groups (140.7 ± 27.8 minutes vs. 140.8 ± 39.5 minutes; P = 0.851). A significant decrease of mean fluoroscopy time from 11.9 ± 2.1 to 7.4 ± 2.6 minutes (P < 0.0006) and median fluoroscopy dose from 882.9 to 476.5 cGycm2 (P < 0.001) was achieved. The main reduction of radiation could be realized during creation of the 3D-map. No major complications occurred during the procedures. After a median follow-up of 125.7 ± 45.6 days 80% of the patients were free from any atrial arrhythmias. Conclusion CartoUnivu™ module easily integrates into the workflow of PVI with the endpoint of unexcitability of the ablation line without prolonging the procedure time. It is associated with a marked reduction in fluoroscopic dose when compared to a conventional 3D mapping system.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has undergone considerable improvement within the last years. As a result, catheter ablation may even be indicated as a primary therapy in selected patients in experienced centers [(1)][1]. By achieving more proximal plus durable pulmonary vein (PV)

Weltweit ist Vorhofflimmern und den damit verbundenen potentiell schwerwiegenden Folgeschaden die haufigste Herzrhythmusstorung. Neben der medikamentosen antiarrhythmischen Therapie hat sich die interventionelle Behandlung mittels Katheterablation als sichere und effektive Option insbesondere bei paroxysmalem Vorhofflimmern etabliert. Die Pulmonalvenen sind als Ursprungsort gut charakterisiert und durch deren elektrische Isolation konnen heute unter Berucksichtigung moglicher Folgeprozeduren hohe Erfolgsraten erzielt werden. Eine Optimierung der Prozedur- und Verfahrenstechniken und die Anlage einer weit im linken Vorhof gefuhrten Ablationslinie haben dazu beigetragen. Dennoch ist die Prozedur mit potentiell schweren Komplikationen vergesellschaftet und sollte daher in Zentren mit ausreichenden Fallzahlen und Untersuchern mit entsprechender Erfahrung durchgefuhrt werden.

The involvement of the Purkinje system in a subset of patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation or polymorphic VT/VF related to structural heart disease was first demonstrated in the pioneering work of Michel Haissaguerre and co-workers (Circulation 106:962-967, 2002 and Lancet 359:677-678, 2002). It is very important to identify these patients with recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation and/or ICD shocks with regard to the presence of triggering premature ventricular contractions (PVC), which may be amenable to mapping and catheter ablation by screening Holter and ICD recordings. The practical problem, which is frequently encountered, is the absence of these PVCs when the patients are brought to the EP lab. However, catheter ablation is an important adjunctive tool to antiarrhythmic drug treatment, beta blocker therapy, and general anesthesia in this setting. Local electrogram criteria related to this phenomenon have been identified guiding mapping and ablation (e.g., low amplitude, high-frequency Purkinje potentials preceding a closely coupled ventricular signal (Fig. 1a)). The favorable long-term follow-up after catheter ablation has been demonstrated in the setting of right and left ventricular Purkinje-related PVCs leading to polymorphic VT/VF (Leenhardt et al., Circulation 89:206-215, 1994) and also following myocardial infarction (Baensch et al., Circulation 108:3011-3016, 2003) and right ventricular outflow tract-associated VF (Noda et al., Journal of the American College of Cardiology 46:1288-1294, 2005). Most recently, epicardial ablation strategies leading to suppression of polymorphic VT/VF episodes related to the Brugada syndrome have been described irrespective to the presence of premature ventricular beats (Nademanee et al., Circulation 123:1270-1279, 2011).

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias occur in patients without structural heart disease. They can arise from a variety of specific areas within both ventricles and in the supravalvular regions of the great arteries. Two main groups need to be differentiated: arrhythmias from the outflow tract (OT) region and idiopathic left ventricular, so-called fascicular, tachycardias (ILVTs). OT tachycardia typically originates in the right ventricular OT, but may also occur in the left ventricular OT, particularly in the sinuses of Valsalva or the anterior epicardium or the great cardiac vein. Activation mapping or pace mapping for the OT regions and mapping of diastolic potentials in ILVTs are the mapping techniques that are typically used. The ablation of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias is highly successful, associated with only rare complications. Newly recognized entities of idiopathic ventricular tachycardias are those originating in the papillary muscles and in the atrioventricular annular regions.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with a substantial risk for ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). We used heart rate turbulence (HRT) and deceleration capacity (DC), to evaluate the risk stratification for these patients. We enrolled 102 patients [45 male (44.1 %), age 40.5 ± 14.6 years] with MFS. Blood samples were obtained to determine N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. Transthoracic echocardiography studies were conducted to evaluate heart function parameters and a 24-h holter ECG was performed. An analysis of two HRT parameters, turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS), and DC was performed. Therefore, optimal cut-off values were calculated. Primary endpoint was the combination of SCD, ventricular arrhythmia and arrhythmogenic syncope. Secondary endpoint was total mortality. During a follow-up of 1145 ± 491 days, 12 (11.7 %) patients reached the primary and 8 (7.8 %) patients the secondary endpoint. Patients reaching the primary were significantly older, had a higher burden of premature ventricular complexes and NT-proBNP levels and lower values of LVEF, DC and HRT TS. Multivariate analysis identified NT-proBNP (HR 1.25, 95 % CI 1.01–1.56, p = .04) and the abnormal HRT (abnormal TS and/or TO (HR 7.04, 95 % CI 1.07–46.27, p = .04) as independent risk predictor of arrhythmogenic events. Patients with Marfan syndrome are at risk for severe ventricular arrhythmias and SCD. Abnormal HRT parameters and NT-proBNP values are independent risk factors for arrhythmogenic events and SCD. The assessment of these tools may help predicting SCD patients with MFS.

The aim of this clinical and radiological prospective 5-year study was to compare the long-term effectiveness of a bioabsorbable membrane and a bioactive glass in the treatment of intrabony defects in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis.Sixteen patients (11 women and five men) with generalized aggressive periodontitis were enrolled in the study. The investigations were confined to 1- to 3-walled intrabony defects with a depth/=4 mm and with preoperative probing depths (PDs)/=7 mm. Teeth with furcation involvement were excluded. Twenty-two of the defects were treated with the membrane (RXT group) and 20 with the bioactive glass (PG group). Allocation to the two groups was randomized. The clinical parameters plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), PD, bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment level (CAL), and tooth mobility were recorded before surgery and at 6 months and every year for 5 years after surgery. Intraoral radiographs were taken using a standardized paralleling technique at baseline and every year for 5 years. Statistical analysis was based on Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, analysis of covariance, and Spearman's bivariate correlation analysis.After 5 years, a reduction in PD of 3.6 +/- 0.8 mm (P = 0.016) and a gain in CAL of 3.0 +/- 2.0 mm (P = 0.01) were registered in the RXT group. There was a slight increase in GR by 0.6 +/- 1.4 mm (P = 0.334). In the PG group, a reduction in PD of 3.5 +/- 1.4 mm (P = 0.01) and a gain in CAL of 3.3 +/- 2.1 mm (P = 0.01) were recorded, whereas GR increased by 0.2 +/- 1.7 mm (P = 0.525). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year results did not differ significantly from the 5-year results. Radiographically, the defects (the point on the proximal surface of the defective tooth at which the projected alveolar crest intersected the root surface [xCA] to the most coronally located point at the proximal surface of the tooth on the defect side up to which the periodontal ligament space still displayed a uniform width [xBD]) were found to be filled by 47.5% +/- 38.3% (P = 0.001) in the RXT group and by 65.0% +/- 50.5% (P = 0.001) in the PG group. Crestal resorption (the most apical point of the enamel at the proximal surface of the tooth on the defect side [xCEJ] to the xCA) was 19.0% +/- 30.2% (P = 0.374) in the RXT group and 12.3% +/- 38.6% (P = 0.647) in the PG group. The xCEJ to the xBD was significantly more in the PG group (28.4 +/- 24.6 versus 7.3 +/- 21.8, P = 0.048). A good standard of oral hygiene and inflammation-free periodontal tissue in the postoperative phase improved the treatment outcome. No dependence of attachment gain was found on the tooth type, number of walls involved in the defects (r = 0.075; P = 0.319), or intraoperative depth (r = 0.114; P = 0.307).Highly significant improvements in the parameters PD and CAL were recorded after 5 years with both regenerative materials. Radiographically, the defects (the xCED to the xBD) were found to be filled significantly more in the bioactive glass group. A good standard of oral hygiene and inflammation-free periodontal tissue in the postoperative phase improved the treatment outcome.

Background Current concepts of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly use three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the left atrium (LA) for orientation, catheter navigation, and ablation line placement. Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the 3D electroanatomic reconstruction (Carto) of the LA, pulmonary veins (PVs), and esophagus with the true anatomy displayed on multislice computed tomography (CT). Methods In this prospective study, 100 patients undergoing AF catheter ablation underwent contrast-enhanced spiral CT scan with barium swallow and subsequent multiplanar and 3D reconstructions. Using Carto, circumferential plus linear LA lesions were placed. The esophagus was tagged and integrated into the Carto map. Results Compared with the true anatomy on CT, the electroanatomic reconstruction accurately displayed the true distance between the lower PVs; the distances between left upper PV, left lower PV, right lower PV, and center of the esophagus; the longitudinal diameter of the encircling line around the funnel of the left PVs; and the length of the mitral isthmus line. Only the distances between the upper PVs, the distance between the right upper PV and esophagus, and the diameter of the right encircling line were significantly shorter on the electroanatomic reconstructions. Furthermore, electroanatomic tagging of the esophagus reliably visualized the true anatomic relationship to the LA. On multiple tagging and repeated CT scans, the LA and esophagus showed a stable anatomic relationship, without relevant sideward shifting of the esophagus. Conclusion Electroanatomic reconstruction can display with high accuracy the true 3D anatomy of the LA and PVs in most of the regions of interest for AF catheter ablation. In addition, Carto was able to visualize the true anatomic relationship between the esophagus and LA. Both structures showed a stable anatomic relationship on Carto and CT without relevant sideward shifting of the esophagus.

Atrial arrhythmias lower the biventricular pacing percentage in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) treated patients (pts) and have a high prevalence in this population. External electrical cardioversion (ECV) is commonly performed to restore sinus rhythm. There is a paucity of data on the safety and efficacy of ECV in pts with CRT devices. Forty-three pts with CRT devices undergoing ECV at two centers were included prospectively. Devices were interrogated immediately prior to and after ECV, as well as after 4 weeks. Devices (CRT-D in 38 and CRT-P in 5) were all implanted in left pectoral position, with predominantly bipolar left ventricular (LV) leads. Sixty-one shocks were delivered, all biphasic. Arrhythmia had recurred in 36 % of pts at follow-up (FU). There was a significant increase in LV lead threshold voltage and drop in bipolar LV lead impedance after ECV, which returned to normal at FU. An at least twofold increase in pacing threshold voltage at FU was seen in 2 LV leads and a 0.5 V increase in threshold in 3 LV leads. Overall, biventricular pacing significantly increased during FU. ECV in CRT pts was safe and effective in this two-center study. A transient increase in LV lead pacing threshold was observed. Relevant changes in pacing threshold at FU occurred in five LV leads—identification and regular FU of these pts are necessary. Restoring SR through ECV significantly increased the biventricular pacing percentage but arrhythmia recurrence was frequent. CRT pts with atrial arrhythmias require close FU after ECV.

Background Catheter ablation (CA) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an important treatment option in patients with structural heart disease (SHD) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). A subset of patients requires epicardial CA for VT. Objective The purpose of the study was to assess the significance of epicardial CA in these patients after a systematic sequential endocardial approach. Methods Between January 2009 and October 2012 CA for VT was analyzed. A sequential CA approach guided by earliest ventricular activation, pacemap, entrainment and stimulus to QRS-interval analysis was used. Acute CA success was assessed by programmed ventricular stimulation. ICD interrogation and 24h-Holter ECG were used to evaluate long-term success. Results One hundred sixty VT ablation procedures in 126 consecutive patients (114 men; age 65±12years) were performed. Endocardial CA succeeded in 250 (94%) out of 265 treated VT. For 15 (6%) VT an additional epicardial CA was performed and succeeded in 9 of these 15 VT. Long-term FU (25±18.2month) showed freedom of VT in 104 pts (82%) after 1.2±0.5 procedures, 11 (9%) suffered from repeated ICD shocks and 11 (9%) died due to worsening of heart failure. Conclusions Despite a heterogenic substrate for VT in SHD, endocardial CA alone results in high acute success rates. In this study additional epicardial CA following a sequential endocardial mapping and CA approach was performed in 6% of VT. Thus, due to possible complications epicardial CA should only be considered if endocardial CA fails.

Background— In the meantime, catheter ablation is widely used for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). There is a paucity of data about long-term outcomes. This study evaluates (1) 5-year single and multiple procedure success and (2) prognostic factors for arrhythmia recurrences after catheter ablation of persistent AF using the stepwise approach aiming at AF termination. Methods and Results— A total of 549 patients with persistent AF underwent de novo catheter ablation using the stepwise approach (2007–2009). A total of 493 patients were included (Holter ECGs ≥every 6 months). Mean follow-up was 59±16 months with 2.1±1.1 procedures per patient. Single and multiple procedure success rates were 20.1% and 55.9%, respectively (80% off antiarrhythmic drug). Antiarrhythmic drug–free multiple procedure success was 46%. Long-term recurrences (n=171) were paroxysmal AF in 48 patients (28%) and persistent AF/atrial tachycardia in 123 patients (72%). Multivariable recurrent event analysis revealed the following factors favoring arrhythmia recurrence: failure to terminate AF during index procedure (hazard ratio [HR], 1.279; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.093–1.497; P =0.002), number of procedures (HR, 1.154; 95% CI, 1.051–1.267; P =0.003), female sex (HR, 1.263; 95% CI, 1.027–1.553; P =0.027), and the presence of structural heart disease (HR, 1.236; 95% CI, 1.003–1.524; P =0.047). AF termination was correlated with a higher rate of consecutive procedures because of atrial tachycardia recurrences ( P =0.003; HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.20–2.43). Conclusions— Catheter ablation of persistent AF using the stepwise approach provides limited long-term freedom of arrhythmias often requiring multiple procedures. AF termination, the number of procedures, sex, and the presence of structural heart disease correlate with outcome success. AF termination is associated with consecutive atrial tachycardia procedures.