Mapping and ablation outcomes of extra-pulmonary vein triggers in atrial fibrillation: single-centre retrospective study with consistent provocation protocol.
Seunghoon Cho, Daehoon Kim, Hanjin Park, Oh-Seok Kwon, Hee Tae Yu, Tae-Hoon Kim, Jae-Sun Uhm, Boyoung Joung, Moon-Hyoung Lee, Hui-Nam Pak
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aims: Extra-pulmonary vein triggers (ExPVTs) are recognized as important contributors to atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA). This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic value, and prognostic implications of isoproterenol-induced ExPVTs in patients undergoing de novo RFCA with circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI).
Methods and results: We analysed 2619 non-valvular AF patients (25.8% female, mean age 59.4 ± 10.9 years, 60.7% with paroxysmal AF) who underwent CPVI and standardized isoproterenol provocation testing; 98.2% also received empirical right atrial (RA) ablation. We evaluated the clinical and prognostic significance of ExPVTs for AF recurrence within 2 years, considering their anatomical location and targeted ablation status. ExPVTs were identified in 13.5% of patients. Lower mean left atrial (LA) voltage was independently associated with ExPVTs, irrespective of sex. Importantly, ExPVTs remained independently associated with AF recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.39-2.35)], alongside AF type, body mass index, LA volume index, and mean LA voltage as significant predictors. LA [HR 1.50 (1.04-2.17)] and septal [HR 1.51 (1.02-2.23)] triggers were significantly associated with recurrence, while RA triggers were not, given the high rate of empirical RA ablation (98.9%). Recurrence risk was highest in patients with multiple or unmappable triggers and in those without ExPVT-targeted ablation.
Conclusion: ExPVTs are strongly associated with lower LA voltage and carry independent prognostic value for AF recurrence, with outcomes varying by anatomical location and targeted ablation status. These findings underscore the importance of systematic ExPVT assessment and selective targeting in individualized ablation strategies.
期刊介绍：
EP - Europace - European Journal of Pacing, Arrhythmias and Cardiac Electrophysiology of the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology. The journal aims to provide an avenue of communication of top quality European and international original scientific work and reviews in the fields of Arrhythmias, Pacing and Cellular Electrophysiology. The Journal offers the reader a collection of contemporary original peer-reviewed papers, invited papers and editorial comments together with book reviews and correspondence.
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