(Circulation. 2000;102:2463.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.
Brief Rapid Communication |
Electrophysiological Breakthroughs From the Left Atrium to the Pulmonary Veins
From the Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, Bordeaux-Pessac, France.
Correspondence to Professeur Michel Haïssaguerre, Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, Avenue de Magellan, 33604 Bordeaux-Pessac, France.
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Abstract |
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Background—The extent of ostial ablation necessary to electrically disconnect the pulmonary vein (PV) myocardial extensions that initiate atrial fibrillation from the left atrium has not been determined.
Methods and Results—Seventy patients underwent PV mapping with a circumferential 10-electrode catheter during sinus rhythm or left atrial pacing. After assessment of perimetric distribution and activation sequence of PV potentials, ostial ablation was performed at segments showing earliest activation, with the end point of PV disconnection. A total of 162 PVs (excluding right inferior PVs) were ablated. PV potentials were present at 60% to 88% of their perimeter, but PV muscle activation was always sequential from a segment with earliest activation (breakthrough). Radiofrequency (RF) application at this breakthrough eliminated all PV potentials in 34 PVs, whereas a secondary breakthrough required RF applications at separate segments in 77; in others, >2 segments were ablated. A median of 5, 6, and 4 bipoles from the circular catheter were targeted in the right superior, left superior, and inferior PVs, respectively, to achieve PV disconnection. Early recurrence of arrhythmia was observed in 31 patients as a result of new venous or atrial foci or recovery of previously targeted PVs, most related to a single recovered breakthrough that was reablated with local RF application.
Conclusions—Although PV muscle covers a large extent of the PV perimeter, there are specific breakthroughs from the left atrium that allow ostial PV disconnection by use of partial perimetric ablation.
Key Words: fibrillation • veins • lung • ablation
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Introduction |
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The pulmonary veins (PVs) have been shown to trigger paroxysms of atrial fibrillation (AF). Radiofrequency (RF) energy ablation can be delivered distally into the PV, or preferably at the ostium, with the end point of distal PV disconnection.1 2 3 Because the topography and activation of myocardial extensions to the PV are unknown, the extent of ostial ablation necessary to disconnect the distal PV muscle has not been determined. The present study was prospectively performed to assess this issue.
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Methods |
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Patient Characteristics
The study population consisted of 70 consecutive patients (13 female, 53±13 years old) with multidrug-resistant paroxysmal AF.
Electrophysiological Study
The study was performed as described
previously.3 The left
atrium and PVs were explored through either a patent foramen ovale (16
patients) or transseptal catheterization with 2 catheters: 1 for
circumferential PV mapping, and a quadripolar mapping/ablation
catheter. Selective PV angiography was performed by hand injection of 5
to 10 mL of contrast medium and was displayed during the procedure.
Heparin was titrated to maintain a partial thromboplastin time of 60 to
90 seconds (control=30 seconds).
An arrhythmogenic PV was defined on the basis of documented ectopy: single or multiple, isolated or initiating AF, and with or without conduction to the left atrium, observed spontaneously or after provocative maneuvers.
Perimetric Distribution and Activation of
PV Muscle
PV mapping was performed with a steerable
circular catheter 15 or 20 mm in diameter (choice based on PV
angiography) equipped with ten 1-mm electrodes in a loop made of
shape-retaining material (Lasso, Biosense Webster) orthogonal to the
shaft. It was uncoiled to allow introduction into the 8F transseptal
sheath and deployed into the body of the left atrium (after resuming
its shape), then pushed, like any steerable catheter, into the desired
PV, easily into both superior PVs but requiring some manipulation into
the left inferior PV. Sequential recordings of transverse slices of PV
activity were performed at 5, 10, and 15 mm from the angiographically
defined left atrial–PV junction. PV muscle potentials (PVPs) were
defined as described previously and recorded in bipolar mode at 10
bipoles (1 to 2, 2 to 3, ..., up to 10 to 1) with bandpass
filters of 30 to 500 Hz and amplification of 1 to 2 cm/mV with a
polygraph (Midas PPG or Labsystem Bard).
The number of bipoles showing local PVP deflection
defined the extent of PV perimeter covered by myocardial extensions
(Figures 1
and 2). Activation was assessed in the proximal PV
(where ablation was performed) on the basis of the timing of the
maximum peak of electrograms at the 10 bipoles from the Lasso. The
circumferential conduction time was calculated from the earliest to
latest PVPs.
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Ablation Procedure
RF ablation of arrhythmogenic PVs was performed as
proximally as possible, the exact location depending on catheter
stability. Segments of the PV perimeter were targeted on the basis of
the bipole(s) from the circular catheter showing the earliest
activation during sinus rhythm or pacing of the distal coronary sinus
(or left atrial appendage). The ablation catheter was positioned
correspondingly on fluoroscopy, and the local largest-amplitude PVP was
first targeted for ablation. Subsequent RF applications were performed
if needed at contiguous sites showing synchronous PVP. If PV activation
changed as a result of RF ablation, the ostial sector now showing the
earliest PVP was targeted. The end point was elimination of PV muscle
conduction distal to the ablation site(s) based on either abolition or
dissociation of distal PVPs and elimination of ectopic beats,
spontaneous or induced by provocative maneuvers (isoproterenol and
burst pacing). RF ablation of atrial foci, if present, was performed at
the site of earliest activation.
RF energy was delivered at the distal electrode (Celsius, Biosense Webster). of the thermocouple-equipped catheter (target: 50°C) with a power limit of 25 to 30 W for 30 to 60 seconds at each site. If this power could not be reached (presumably because of reduced local blood flow), an irrigated-tip catheter (17 mL/min saline flow) was used with the same target temperature and power. Arrhythmogenic PVs were sequentially ablated, provided that the PV diameter was unchanged on angiography. PV angiography was repeated after 20 minutes of surveillance, with PV "stenosis" defined as a diameter reduction of >50% and a CT scan performed >3 months later in 36 patients to exclude late PV compromise.3 4 5
Patients were discharged after day 3 under oral anticoagulant. Success was defined as elimination of AF without antiarrhythmic drug. Anticoagulants were interrupted 3 months after successful elimination of AF, unless there were other risk factors.
Statistical Analysis
Continuous variables are expressed as group mean
value±SD or median value (nongaussian distribution). Statistical
significance was selected at a value of P<0.05 with a
Kruskall-Wallis or 
2
test.
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Results |
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A total of 162 PVs were mapped, including 61 left superior, 55 right superior, and 46 left inferior. Eleven arrhythmogenic right inferior PVs could not be mapped but were ablated anatomically. Procedure duration and fluoroscopy times were 206±49 and 65±18 minutes, respectively.
Perimetric Distribution
At the atrial margin of the ostia, PVPs were present
circumferentially (all bipoles displayed local PVPs), whereas inside
the PVs, PVPs covered only various parts of the perimeter (from 3 to 10
bipoles), with a consistent reduction from proximal to distal
(Table).
The percentage of perimetric PV muscle coverage was higher
(P<0.05) for both superior PVs than for the left
inferior PV.
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Activation of PV Muscle in the
Proximal PV
Muscle activation was never circumferentially
synchronous in the PVs, during either sinus rhythm or atrial pacing,
indicating preferential breakthrough(s) into the vein. The earliest
PVPs were localized to a segment of the perimeter (median of 3
contiguous bipoles, range 1 to 4), whereas the remaining perimeter was
activated sequentially later. The circumferential conduction time was
33±15 ms (range 10 to 85 ms) during sinus
rhythm.
RF Ablation
RF delivery was begun at the earliest activated
ostial segment, with the circumferential catheter in a distal
monitoring position
(Figure 1A
). Ablation restricted to this segment totally
eliminated PVPs in 34 PVs. In others, RF delivery eliminated local PVPs
only or segmentally delayed them by 38±30 ms, resulting in a change in
activation sequence
(Figure 2). This secondary breakthrough was usually located
at the opposite segment of the circumference. Additional RF delivery
eliminated all distal PVPs in 77 PVs, whereas RF applications to other
parts of the PV perimeter (including to the full circumference) were
delivered in the remaining PVs
(Table).
The final successful RF application always corresponded to the bipole
showing the earliest PVP, with centrifugal activation to other sites.
Thus, in 45% of targeted PVs, all PVPs disappeared abruptly at the
same time ("all or none" phenomenon), whereas they were abolished
in 
2 steps in 55%.
PV disconnection was achieved in all but 5 PVs (97%
of targeted PVs) with a mean RF duration of 8±3 minutes per PV
(Table).
A median of 4, 5, and 6 bipoles was targeted in left inferior, right
superior, and left superior PVs, respectively. A single breakthrough
(and ablated segment) was associated with a similar PVP sequence during
both sinus rhythm and pacing in 95% of cases, whereas multiple
breakthroughs had a similar versus dissimilar sequence in 35% and 65%
of cases.
Two patients had a pericardial effusion and 2 a femoral aneurysm, but no PV stenoses were observed.
Reablation and Final Outcome
Thirty-one patients (44%) had recurrence of AF,
and a reablation session was performed in 29. The ectopy was related to
a previously ablated PV in 18 patients (27 PVs), with recovery of all
distal PVPs. A single breakthrough had recovered in 21 PVs at the same
ostial site as in the index procedure and was ablated by RF delivery
limited to this site
(Figure 1B). Other ectopic beats or AF initiations were
mapped to multiple sources, including previously untargeted PVs in 11
(9 right inferior PVs), the PV ostia proximal to previous ablation in
9, and the atrial tissue in 10, requiring additional RF applications.
Such foci could be difficult to localize precisely because they
immediately induced sustained AF.
With a mean follow-up of 4±5 months after discharge, AF was completely eliminated in 51 patients (73%) without antiarrhythmic drug. No PV stenosis was noted during follow-up.
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Discussion |
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TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
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This study describes the results of PV ostial ablation guided by circumferential mapping data. It indicates that although PV muscle covers a large extent of PV perimeter, there are specific breakthrough(s) from the left atrium that allow ostial PV disconnection with minimal ablation.
The left atrial–PV breakthroughs were inferred from the mapping data showing sequential activation of the PV perimeter. Differing sequences during right (sinus rhythm) or left (pacing) atrial activation indicated differing breakthroughs, whereas an unchanged sequence did not necessarily indicate a single breakthrough, perhaps because of 1 input having a shorter conduction time and/or a nonoptimal pacing site. Mapping data were confirmed by results of ablation producing local elimination or prolongation of conduction and shifting of the breakthrough. The extent of perimetric ablation was thus less than the actual muscle coverage. During RF ostial ablation, monitoring of distal PVPs provided online demonstration of ablation effects, showing abrupt abolition of PVPs in 1 step in nearly half of the veins, indicating a distally interconnected PV network, whereas abolition in >1 step suggested distally separated PV fascicles. Recovery of all PV conduction after ablation was linked to a single recovered input in most, which was focally reablated.
The question of anatomic inputs (or their embryological development) to the PV has not been specifically addressed in the literature; however, a single breakthrough may be related to a myocardial band with oblique or circular course ending in a cul-de-sac, whereas either a dual band or fascicles described as "looping back in the left atrium" may be the substrate for dual-input muscle.
The findings of this study have practical implications. In addition to providing an immediate obvious end point, circumferential mapping optimizes RF ablation at the PV ostia by directing energy at specific segments and avoiding unnecessary applications at others, thus minimizing the risk of PV stenosis. However, this technique may not be applicable to RF ablation outside the PV ostia, which may require complete circumferential lesions to produce distal disconnection. Other limitations include the continued high recurrence rate of AF due to unmasked foci from the ostial edge or atrial tissue characterized by difficulty in precise mapping and absence of a similar end point.
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Footnotes |
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Drs Haïssaguerre and Shah serve as consultants to Biosense Webster.
Received June 22, 2000; revision received September 5, 2000; accepted September 7, 2000.
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References |
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B. J. Padanilam and E. N. Prystowsky Should Ablation Be First-Line Therapy and for Whom: The Antagonist Position Circulation, August 23, 2005; 112(8): 1223 - 1231. [Full Text] [PDF]
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D. Shah, J.-M. Dumonceau, H. Burri, H. Sunthorn, A. Schroft, P. Gentil-Baron, Y. Yokoyama, and A. Takahashi Acute Pyloric Spasm and Gastric Hypomotility: An Extracardiac Adverse Effect of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 19, 2005; 46(2): 327 - 330. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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H. Tanner, G. Hindricks, R. Kobza, A. Dorszewski, P. Schirdewahn, C. Piorkowski, J.-H. Gerds-Li, and H. Kottkamp Trigger Activity More Than Three Years After Left Atrial Linear Ablation Without Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 19, 2005; 46(2): 338 - 343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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M. Rotter, Y. Takahashi, P. Sanders, M. Haissaguerre, P. Jais, L.-F. Hsu, F. Sacher, J.-L. Pasquie, J. Clementy, and M. Hocini Reduction of fluoroscopy exposure and procedure duration during ablation of atrial fibrillation using a novel anatomical navigation system Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2005; 26(14): 1415 - 1421. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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T. Arentz, R. Weber, N. Jander, G. Burkle, J. von Rosenthal, T. Blum, J. Stockinger, |