Safety of fluoroless radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with pre‐existing cardiac implantable electronic device: A single‐center study

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is being increasingly performed without fluoroscopy. This study aims to determine the safety of fluoroless RFA for patients with pre-existing cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). METHODS: This is a single-center, single-operator, retrospective, observational study of 225 consecutive fluoroless RFA procedures for AF from June 1, 2019 to June 1, 2022. All procedures were performed with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) support. Patients with pre-existing CIED were extracted from the database. Each CIED was interrogated at the start and end of each procedure and at 30-day follow-up. Pre- and post-procedure CIED interrogations were compared for any change in device or lead parameters. Patients were tracked for any subsequent device malfunction. RESULTS: Out of 225 fluoroless AF ablations, 25 (10.2%) had pre-existing CIED (14 dual-chamber pacemakers, three dual-chamber defibrillators, three single-chamber defibrillators, one single chamber pacemaker, and four biventricular devices). Mean patient age was 71 ± 6 years. The mean duration of indwelling CIED was 1804 ± 1645 days (range: 78-6267 days). One (4%) patient had lead-related fibrin on ICE imaging. There was no significant difference in lead(s) threshold, impedance, or sensing post procedure or at 30-day follow-up compared to pre procedure. None of the patients required lead revision. There were no intra- or post-op thromboembolic events or subsequent device infection. One patient underwent CIED extraction after 11 months for an unrelated secondary device infection. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency catheter ablation for AF can be safely performed without fluoroscopy in patients with pre-existing CIED.