Conduction recovery in patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation using multi-electrode duty cycled radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Introduction: The pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) is designed for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Electrical reconnection of pulmonary veins is believed to result in AF recurrence. The purpose of this study was to establish the location and extent of PV reconnection after PVI with the PVAC catheter.

Methods and results: Eighty-two patients (79 % male, age 60 ± 9 years) that underwent a redo procedure for recurrent AF after PVAC ablation were assessed for prevalence and location of reconnection. The number of reconnected PV's was 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 in 2 (2.4 %), 14 (17 %), 23 (28 %), 28 (34 %), and 15 (18 %) patients, respectively. Reconnection of left superior, left inferior, left common, right superior, and right inferior PV's was found in 66, 63, 83, 57, and 67 %, respectively (p = 0.48). In the left PV's, reconnection was located significantly more anterior than posterior; LSPV anterior 32/70 vs posterior 13/70 (p < 0.01), LIPV anterior 26/70 vs posterior 9/70 (p < 0.01). In the right PV's reconnection was distributed equally in all quadrants. Different modes of RF delivery during PVAC ablation (bipolar/unipolar 2:1 [n = 35] vs. 4:1 [n = 47]) yielded comparable rates of PV reconnection. During follow-up (median 296 days) no AF/AT was documented in 57 patients (70 %).

Conclusion: Almost all patients (98 %) with AF after PVAC ablation show reconnection of at least one PV. All PV's are equally likely to show reconnection. In the left PV's, reconnection was found more often anteriorly than posteriorly. During pulmonary vein isolation with the PVAC catheter, prevalent sites of reconnection deserve close attention to increase success.