Non-fluoroscopic catheter visualization for atrial fibrillation ablation achieved a median fluoroscopy time of 0.90 min and a 2.0% complication rate across 1000 consecutive procedures.
Observational (n=1,000)
Does non-fluoroscopic catheter visualization technology enable safe reduction of radiation exposure and procedure time during atrial fibrillation ablation?
The use of non-fluoroscopic catheter visualization technology for AF ablation is safe and allows for near-zero fluoroscopy times in routine clinical practice.
Aims: Efforts to reduce radiation exposure during catheter ablation procedures have included the use of various technological measures. Significant results have been achieved to the point where near lead-free procedures in routine clinical practice has become a realistic goal. The integration of MediGuide technology non-fluoroscopic catheter visualization technology (NFCV) and three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping is one of the methods developed in response to radiation reduction initiatives. We aimed to evaluate the impact of this NFCV technology on atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation in terms of reduction in procedural and radiation time as well as safety aspects. Methods and results: Between March 2012 and March 2017, a total of 1000 patients underwent AF ablation using NFCV. Patient and procedural data and complications within the first 3 months were entered into a prospective registry and analysed. We assessed procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and dose and complications. In a cohort of 1000 patients (62.9 ± 11 years; 72% men; left ventricular ejection fraction 57%; and left atrial diameter 43.2 mm), the median procedure time was 120 min, median fluoroscopy time was 0.90 min, and the median fluoroscopy dose of was 345.1 cGy · cm2. Stratification of the first (Group 1) and the last 250 (Group 2) cases showed significant improvement in the median procedure time (140-110 min) and reduction in the median fluoroscopy time (6-0.5 min) and the median dose (2263-151.9 cGy · cm2). The overall complication rate was 2.0%. Conclusion: The use of NFCV technology enables safe, consistent, and 'near lead-free' performance of AF ablation in routine clinical practice.
Sommer et al. (2018) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=1,000). Non-fluoroscopic catheter visualization (NFCV) was evaluated on Procedure time, fluoroscopy time, fluoroscopy dose, and complications. Non-fluoroscopic catheter visualization for atrial fibrillation ablation achieved a median fluoroscopy time of 0.90 min and a 2.0% complication rate across 1000 consecutive procedures.