Ultra-High-Resolution Mapping Guided Partial Antral Ablation for AF
Atrial FibrillationThe electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVI) is the cornerstone of current ablation techniques for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) because the PV is the most common trigger of AF. Wide bi-antral circumferential ablation (WACA) is more effective than segmental PV isolation in achieving freedom from total atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence at long-term follow-up. Therefore, it is widely accepted as initial ablation strategy. However, the WACA technique requires a much larger number of ablation and higher energy to achieve complete isolation because of thick atrial myocardial sleeves with multiple muscle layers present in most of the PV antrum, which is less likely to achieve homogenous transmural lesions in the entire circumference with the currently available ablation technologies. Meanwhile, muscular discontinuities and abrupt changes of the fiber orientation in human PV-Left atrium (LA) junction are previously reported, and electrical PV isolation can usually be achieved without complete circumferential ablation. However, the current electroanatomical mapping (EAM) system has a limitation to understand the complex relationship of PV-LA junction mainly due to relatively low resolution. The Rhythmia mapping system (BostonScientific, Inc, Cambridge, MA) is a new system provides ultra-high-resolution EAM using a small basket array of 64 electrodes (IntellaMap Orion, Boston Scientific). Owing to better resolution, this new system capable of rapidly and accurately identify critical isthmuses and low-voltage regions of interest and also allows automatic acquisition and accurate annotation of the electrograms, without the need for manual correction. In this context, we hypothesized that rapid and precise identification of activation pattern of PV-LA junction by Rhythmia system could allow complete, durable electrical isolation of PVs without circumferential antral ablation.
Mediterranean Diet Plus Extravirgin Olive Oil in the Prevention of Recurrent Arrhythmias. The PREDIMAR...
Atrial FibrillationAtrial ArrhythmiaBackground: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia and represents a high priority public health problem, as in a few decades it will become a possibly unsustainable load for the national health system. Preventive and therapeutic strategies based on the best possible scientific evidence are required. Ablation therapy, despite being the most effective approach, is associated with a 30-35% arrhythmic recurrence rate. An intervention with Mediterranean diet and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has proven effective in primary prevention and reduced the incidence of AF in high-risk subjects in a recent, large, randomized trial (PREDIMED). Methods: Parallel, randomized, multicenter nutritional intervention trial in 640 patients with AF treated with catheter ablation. Two groups will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio: 1) intervention with Mediterranean diet and EVOO; 2) usual care (control group). The primary objective will be the incidence of atrial tachyarrhythmias for two years after ablation. At least 190 recurrences are expected after 2 years (median) of follow-up. A relative risk of 0.7 is assumed and statistical power of 80%. Follow-up visits will be scheduled at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. In addition to the in-person visits, event monitors will be used to document episodes. Dietary intervention will be carried out by nutritionists who will use methods adapted from the PREDIMED trial with contacts every 2 months. 1 liter of EVOO per week will be provided for free in the intervention arm. Inflammatory markers will be analyzed in both groups during follow-up. Cox models will be used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios.
The New Pharmaceutical Composition Containing Botulinum Toxin to Treat Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial FibrillationIschemic Heart DiseaseThe aim of this prospective randomized double-blind study was to compare the efficacy of new pharmaceutical composition containing botulinum toxin injection in epicardial fat pads for preventing recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmia in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
Study Comparing Pulmonary Vein Isolation With the Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Energy(Contact...
Persistent Atrial FibrillationThe purpose of this study is to perform a prospective, randomised study investigating the safety and efficacy of cryoballoon catheter ablation compared with radiofrequency ablation(contact force), in the treatment of persistent AF.
Canadian Left Atrial Appendage Closure Study
Left Atrial AppendageNon-Valvular Atrial FibrillationThe purpose of the study is to demonstrate the safety and the rate of closure of the Ultrasept Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure System for the percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Comparison of Two Pulmonary Vein Ablation Techniques for Persistent AF
Chronic Atrial FibrillationPersistent Atrial FibrillationInvestigator initiated, randomized controlled trial of two radiofrequency (RF)ablation protocols currently performed in the electrophysiology lab, but have not been studied prospectively to identify which, if either technique, is superior for individuals with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Two-hundred subjects will be consecutively enrolled and randomized to either pulmonary vein isolation only or pulmonary vein isolation plus posterior left atrial wall isolation
Role of ALiskiren, a Direct Renin Inhibitor, in Preventing Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With...
Atrial FibrillationThe aim of the study is to find out whether aliskiren reduces atrial fibrillation burden measured with a pacemaker device
One Staged Hybrid Approach of Surgical/Catheter Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Persistent Atrial FibrillationThere are 10 million atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in China, and the patients are risk of stroke, heart failure and sudden death. Persistent AF is still a refractory disease, and single catheter ablation only has a success rate around 30-50%. Hybrid strategy consisting of thoracoscopic epicardial ablation and transvenous endocardial ablation seems to be an attractive procedure to improve the treatment of persistent AF. However, only a few centers reported their preliminary results, and the conclusions are controversial. The investigator previously reported a minimally invasive surgical ablation from left thoracoscope only and achieved good results. Recently, the investigator successfully explored a hybrid procedure combing this unique surgical technique and transvenous catheter ablation. Here, the investigator present a study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this novel hybrid procedure. The hypothesis is that a hybrid approach is more efficient than surgical ablation alone in the treatment of persistent AF. This study is a non-randomized controlled study within a single institution. Isolated persistent AF patients admitted to the cardiovascular surgery department of Shanghai Xinhua Hospital will be screened for enrollment of this study. The study will recruit 180 patients in total. Based on their own willingness, the patients will be divided into hybrid group and minimally invasive (MIS) group. The MIS group patients only have surgical ablation surgery from left thoracoscope as the investigator reported before, while the hybrid group patients will have additional transvenous catheter ablation after the surgical ablation is done during the same operation. The ratio of hybrid to MIS group is expected to be 1:1, so that each group contains 90 patients. The perioperative data is collected, and the patients will be followed for 6 months. The primary outcome is the rate of sinus rhythm at 6 months post operation. The secondary outcomes include off antiarrhythmic drug rate, perioperative complications, major cardiovascular events, stroke, left ventricular systolic function, medical expense, serum brain natriuretic peptide level and quality of life. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this novel hybrid procedure, therefore to provide more evidence of the hybrid strategy in the treatment of persistent AF.
Catheter Ablation Therapy for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Persistent Atrial FibrillationUse of catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF) remains controversial due to unsatisfactory long-term success rates (15% - 28.4%). The investigators' previous study indicated that the upper area of the left atrium (LA) plays an important role in PerAF, with the LA roof and mitral isthmus appearing to serve as main substrate in progression from PAF to PerAF and maintenance of fibrillatory activities. The investigators therefore hypothesized that AF should not be initiated or sustained if the latter crucial regions for AF maintenance are abolished. This study aimed to describe the efficacy and safety of additional linear ablation on the left atrial anterior wall for PerAF.
High-density Mapping-guided bOx Isolation and subsTrate Ablation
Atrial FibrillationAtrial RemodelingThis study evaluates the efficacy of high-density mapping guided atrial substrate ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation. 1/5 of the patients with persistent atrial fibrillation undergo pulmonary veins isolation, 2/5 of them pulmonary veins and box isolation while others undergo atrial substrate ablation apart from pulmonary veins and box isolation.