Key result
Additional left atrial ablations during thoracoscopic surgical atrial fibrillation ablation strongly increased the risk of postoperative sinus node dysfunction (OR 12.10).
Why the study?
Sinus node dysfunction may complicate thoracoscopic surgical AF ablation and require temporary or permanent pacing, making it important to identify patients at risk.
Does additional ganglion plexus ablation or left atrial ablation increase the risk of sinus node dysfunction in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Cohort (n=240)
1:1 (in parent trial)
No
Does additional ganglion plexus ablation or left atrial ablation increase the risk of sinus node dysfunction in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Additional left atrial ablations during thoracoscopic surgical AF ablation strongly increase the risk of postoperative sinus node dysfunction, though the majority of cases are temporary and resolve within days.
Additional left atrial ablation was associated with higher postoperative SND risk; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective confirmation before guiding practice.
PURPOSE: Sinus node dysfunction (SND) may complicate thoracoscopic surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Identifying patients at risk is important, as SND may require temporary or permanent pacing. To determine the incidence of postoperative SND and duration of symptoms in patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgical ablation. METHODS: Patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF included in the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation and Autonomic Modulation via Thoracoscopic Surgery (AFACT) study underwent pulmonary vein isolation and additional left atrial ablations on indication. Patients were randomized to ganglion plexus ablation or control. SND was defined as symptomatic or asymptomatic junctional rhythm exceeding sinus rate within 30 days postoperatively. The SND risk was assessed by using a univariable logistic regression model. The rate of pacemaker implantation was determined. RESULTS: The AFACT study included 240 patients. SND developed in 17 (7.1%) patients, not affected by randomized treatment, p = 0.18. SND patients more often had persistent AF (88.2%) than patients without SND (57.4%), p = 0.01. After univariable testing, persistent AF (OR 5.57 CI 1.52-35.90, p = 0.02) and additional left atrial ablations (OR 12.10 CI 2.40-220.20, p = 0.02) were associated with postoperative SND. Six (35.3%) patients needed temporary pacing for 1-7 days; permanent pacemakers (PMs) were implanted for SND in five (29.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Additional left atrial ablations strongly increase the SND risk. The majority of SND was temporary, and sinus rhythm resolved within days, which indicates that a conservative approach with regard to pacemaker implantation should be considered.
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Neefs et al. (2020) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=240). Additional left atrial ablations vs. No additional left atrial ablations was evaluated on Postoperative sinus node dysfunction (SND) within 30 days (OR 12.10, 95% CI 2.40-220.20, p=0.02). Additional left atrial ablations during thoracoscopic surgical atrial fibrillation ablation strongly increased the risk of postoperative sinus node dysfunction (OR 12.10).
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