Key result
Hybrid convergent ablation demonstrated a 67% 1-year rhythm success rate compared to 50% for catheter ablation alone in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
Stand-alone endocardial catheter ablation for nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation yields unsatisfying results, while the invasiveness of on-pump Cox-Maze surgery limits its adoption.
Does hybrid ablation improve restoration of normal sinus rhythm in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation?
Does hybrid ablation improve restoration of normal sinus rhythm in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation?
Absolute Event Rate: 67% vs 50%
p-value: p=0.036
Hybrid epicardial and endocardial ablation approaches offer a promising, collaborative strategy to improve rhythm control in patients with difficult-to-treat nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation, though they carry a higher complication risk than catheter ablation alone.
Hybrid ablation may aid nonparoxysmal AF; leaves open need for RCTs versus catheter ablation alone.
Nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation continues to challenge electrophysiologist and surgeons alike. Stand-alone endocardial catheter ablation has resulted in less than satisfying results, and while the on-pump Cox-Maze surgery has excellent results, the invasiveness has limited its adoption amongst both referring providers and surgeons. The CONVERGE IDE trial has shed new light on this once dim problem. EPs and Surgeons are now working together in a Hybrid Team Ablation Approach to provide a combined ablation strategy that has improved patient outcomes and rekindled the collaboration necessary to better patient outcomes. We herein summarize the current Hybrid Team Ablation Approaches (CONVERGE and Totally Thoracoscopic) with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation.
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Merritt-Genore et al. (2022) conducted a review in Nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation. Hybrid ablation (Convergent and Totally Thoracoscopic) vs. Catheter ablation alone was evaluated on Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) rhythm success (freedom from atrial arrhythmia >30 seconds) at 1 year (p=0.036). Hybrid convergent ablation demonstrated a 67% 1-year rhythm success rate compared to 50% for catheter ablation alone in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation.
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