Lower rate of left atrial tachycardia after pulmonary vein isolation with PVAC versus irrigated-tip circumferential antral ablation

Background Left atrial tachycardias (LAT) occur in about 5% of patients after irrigated-tip circumferential antral (CA) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). They may cause debilitating symptoms in the patient and may be very difficult to treat. Objective To assess the incidence of LAT after PVI with the multielectrode phased-radiofrequency pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) compared to circumferential antral PVI with an irrigated-tip catheter. Methods We analyzed data from our ablation database. A total of 150 patients who underwent their first PVI with the PVAC system and 300 patients who underwent their first PVI with irrigated-tip circumferential antral (CA) radiofrequency ablation were matched by age and sex, as well as by type of atrial fibrillation. Results Of 150 PVAC patients, only 1 patient (0.7%) developed LAT during mean follow-up of 21 ± 14 months. The mechanism was macroreentry and the patient underwent successful ablation at our institution. Eleven of 300 irrigated-tip CA PVI patients (3.7%) developed LAT during mean follow-up of 22 ± 14 months and subsequently underwent ablation (P = .05). Conclusion LAT occurs more frequently after irrigated-tip CA PVI compared to single-shot-device ablation with PVAC. Apart from being less technically demanding, lower incidence of LAT may influence choice of ablation technology.