Pulsed-field ablation-based pulmonary vein isolation: acute safety, efficacy and short-term follow-up in a multi-center real world scenario

  • Marc D. Lemoine*
  • , Thomas Fink
  • , Celine Mencke
  • , Ruben Schleberger
  • , Ilaria My
  • , Julius Obergassel
  • , Leonard Bergau
  • , Vanessa Sciacca
  • , Laura Rottner
  • , Julia Moser
  • , Shinwan Kany
  • , Fabian Moser
  • , Paula Münkler
  • , Leon Dinshaw
  • , Paulus Kirchhof
  • , Bruno Reissmann
  • , Feifan Ouyang
  • , Philipp Sommer
  • , Christian Sohns
  • , Andreas Rillig
  • Andreas Metzner
*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Purpose: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a new energy source to achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by targeted electroporation of cardiomyocytes. Experimental and controlled clinical trial data suggest good efficacy of PFA-based PVI. We aimed to assess efficacy, safety and follow-up of PFA-based PVI in an early adopter routine care setting. Methods: Consecutive patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent PVI using the Farawave® PFA ablation catheter in conjunction with three-dimensional mapping at two German high-volume ablation centers. PVI was achieved by applying 8 PFA applications in each PV. Results: A total of 138 patients undergoing a first PVI (67 ± 12 years, 66% male, 62% persistent AF) were treated. PVI was achieved in all patients by deploying 4563 applications in 546 PVs (8.4 ± 1.0/PV). Disappearance of PV signals after the first application was demonstrated in 544/546 PVs (99.6%). More than eight PFA applications were performed in 29/546 PVs (6%) following adapted catheter positioning or due to reconnection as assessed during remapping. Mean procedure time was 78 ± 22 min including pre- and post PVI high-density voltage mapping. PFA catheter LA dwell-time was 23 ± 9 min. Total fluoroscopy time and dose area product were 16 ± 7 min and 505 [275;747] cGy*cm2. One pericardial tamponade (0.7%), one transient ST-elevation (0.7%) and three groin complications (2.2%) occurred. 1-year follow-up showed freedom of arrhythmia in 90% in patients with paroxysmal AF (n = 47) and 60% in patients with persistent AF (n = 82, p = 0.015). Conclusions: PFA-based PVI is acutely highly effective and associated with a beneficial safety and low recurrence rate. Graphical abstract:
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)795-806
Number of pages12
JournalClinical Research in Cardiology
Volume112
Issue number6
Early online date22 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

Keywords

  • Prospective observational study, real-world
  • Pulmonary vein isolation
  • Catheter ablation
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Pulsed-field ablation

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