Ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with a contact force-sensing catheter achieved 75.7% freedom from symptomatic AF at 12 months (95% CI 69.7-80.7%).
Observational (n=261)
Yes
In a real-world registry, ablation of drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using a contact force-sensing catheter demonstrated high acute success, favorable 12-month freedom from symptomatic AF, and a low complication rate.
Aims: Real-time contact force (CF)-sensing radiofrequency ablation catheter for treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) allows optimization of electrode-tissue contact, which correlates with long-term success. This prospective, multicentre observational registry assessed the real-world clinical effectiveness of a CF-sensing catheter for ablation of drug-refractory PAF. Methods and results: Patients were followed-up at 3, 6, and 12 months after ablation. Outcome measures included isolation of targeted pulmonary veins (PVs) confirmed by entrance block (acute success), patient-reported freedom from symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) at 12 months (long-term effectiveness), Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-life scores at 6 and 12 months, and incidence of predefined procedural complications. The registry enrolled 261 PAF patients (mean age 58.8 ± 11.3 years; 70.7% men; 91.7% Caucasian). Acute PV isolation was reported in 98.8% of patients 95% confidence interval (CI): 96.4-99.7%, and 12-month success for freedom from symptomatic AF was 75.7% (95% CI: 69.7-80.7%). Average CF for the evaluable cohort was 16.4 ± 3.9 g. There was a significant correlation between long-term effectiveness and stability of CF use percentage of time CF was within investigator-selected working range; odds ratio (95% Wald CI), 1.0 (1.00-1.1); P = 0.030. Average CF did not correlate with 12-month success. Clinically meaningful quality of life (QoL) improvements were observed at 6 and 12 months. Primary adverse events occurred in 2.7% patients. Conclusion: This observational registry showed that PAF ablation with a CF-sensing catheter had high acute success rates, favourable 12-month outcomes, and a good safety profile. Patients' QoL improved significantly. Long-term effectiveness significantly correlated with stable CF with adequate catheter-tissue contact (NCT01677052).
Potter et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n=261). Contact force-sensing radiofrequency ablation catheter was evaluated on Patient-reported freedom from symptomatic atrial fibrillation at 12 months (95% CI 69.7-80.7). Ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with a contact force-sensing catheter achieved 75.7% freedom from symptomatic AF at 12 months (95% CI 69.7-80.7%).
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