Single-ring posterior left atrial (box) isolation results in a different mode of recurrence compared with wide antral pulmonary vein isolation on long-term follow-up: longer atrial fibrillation-free survival time but similar survival time free of any atrial arrhythmia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Electric isolation of the pulmonary veins and posterior left atrium with a single ring of radiofrequency lesions (single-ring isolation [SRI]) may result in fewer atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences than wide antral pulmonary vein isolation (wide antral isolation [WAI]) by abolishing extravenous AF triggers. The effect of mitral isthmus line (MIL) ablation on outcomes after SRI has not previously been assessed.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

We randomly assigned 220 consecutive patients (58 ± 10 years old; 82% men) with highly symptomatic AF (61% paroxysmal, 39% persistent/longstanding persistent) to undergo either SRI or WAI. Half of each cohort was also randomly allocated to have left lateral MIL ablation (2 ×2 factorial study design). Patients were followed clinically and with 7-day Holter studies for arrhythmia recurrences. The primary end points were recurrence of AF and organized atrial tachyarrhythmias. AF-free survival at 2 years was better after SRI (74% [95% CI, 65%-82%]) than WAI (61% [51%-70%]; P=0.031). Organized atrial tachyarrhythmia-free survival was similar after SRI and WAI (67% [57%-75%] ersus 64% [54%-72%], respectively, at 2 years; P=0.988). MIL ablation resulted in better 2-year organized atrial tachyarrhythmia-free survival (71% [62%-79%] versus 60% [50%-69%]; P=0.07), which approached statistical significance. Survival free of any atrial arrhythmia after one procedure was not significantly affected by isolation technique or MIL ablation. Conclusions- SRI resulted in fewer AF recurrences compared with WAI on long-term follow-up but did not reduce the recurrence of all atrial arrhythmias. MIL ablation may reduce organized atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences. Clinical Trial Registration- http://www.anzctr.org.au; ACTRN12606000467538.

• Authors: Toon Wei Lim, Choon Hiang Koay, Valerie A See, Rebecca McCall, William Chik, Robert Zecchin, Karen Byth, Swee-Chong Seow, Liza Thomas, David L Ross, Stuart P Thomas
• Journal: Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology (Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol) Vol. 5 Issue 5 Pg. 968-77 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 1941-3084 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22972873 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Atrial Fibrillation (physiopathology, surgery)
• Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Heart Atria (physiopathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Proportional Hazards Models
• Pulmonary Veins (surgery)
• Recurrence
• Survival Rate
• Treatment Outcome