OBJECTIVES: Current recommendations support surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients indicated for cardiac surgery. These procedures are referred to as concomitant and may be carried out using radiofrequency energy or cryo-ablation. This study aimed to assess the electrophysiological findings in patients undergoing concomitant cryo-ablation. METHODS: Patients with non-paroxysmal AF undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve repair/replacement were included in the trial if concomitant cryo-ablation was part of the treatment plan according to current guidelines. The patients reported in this study were assigned to undergo staged percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation (PRFCA), i.e., hybrid treatment, as a part of the SURHYB trial protocol. RESULTS: We analyzed 103 patients who underwent PRFCA 105 ± 35 days after surgery. Left and right pulmonary veins (PVs) were found isolated in 65 (63.1%) and 63 (61.2%) patients, respectively. The LA posterior wall isolation and mitral isthmus conduction block were found in 38 (36.9%) and 18 (20.0%) patients, respectively. Electrical reconnections (gaps) in the left PVs were more often localized superiorly than inferiorly (57.9% vs. 26.3%, P = 0.005) and anteriorly than posteriorly (65.8% vs. 31.6%, P = 0.003). Gaps in the right PVs were more equally distributed anteroposteriorly but dominated in superior segments (72.5% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.003). There was a higher number of gaps on the roof line compared to the inferior line (131 (67.2%) vs. 67 (42.2%), P < 0.001). Compared to epicardial cryo-ablation, endocardial was more effective in creating PVs and LA posterior wall isolation (P < 0.05). Cryo-ablation using nitrous oxide (N20) or argon (Ar) gas as cooling agents was similarly effective (P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of surgical cryo-ablation in achieving transmural and durable lesions in the left atrium is surprisingly low. Gaps are located predominantly in the superior and anterior portions of the PVs and on the roof line. Endocardial cryo-ablation is more effective than epicardial ablation, irrespective of the cooling agent used.
- MeSH
- fibrilace síní * chirurgie MeSH
- katetrizační ablace * metody MeSH
- koronární bypass metody MeSH
- kryochirurgie * metody MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- venae pulmonales * chirurgie MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Aims: We aimed to compare patients' quality of life (QoL) after two types of atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment: a hybrid ablation strategy and a surgical CryoMaze procedure alone. Methods and results: Patients with non-paroxysmal AF undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve repair/replacement with concomitant CryoMaze procedure were randomly assigned to undergo either radiofrequency catheter ablation after three months (Hybrid Group) or no further treatment (Surgery Group). QoL was compared using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT) questionnaire. The AFEQT score was converted to the scale of 0 to 100 per cent points, i.e., a score of 0 corresponds to complete disability (or responding "extremely" limited, difficult, or bothersome to all questions answered), and a score of 100 corresponds to no disability (or responding "not at all" limited, difficult, or bothersome to all questions answered). In 106 Hybrid Group patients and 109 Surgery Group patients, both baseline and 12-month AFEQT data were available for final analysis. Patients' QoL did not differ between the Hybrid and Surgery Groups at baseline. At 12 months post-procedure, QoL improved significantly in both groups (from 61.9 ± 16.3 to 86.5 ± 13.4 and from 58.6 ± 14.9 to 81.5 ± 16.7 in the Hybrid Group and Surgery Group, respectively, P < 0.001). The 12-month AFEQT score was significantly higher in the Hybrid Group compared to the Surgery Group (P = 0.017). In an analysis based on AF recurrence, the QoL at 12 months was significantly higher in patients without AF recurrences compared to patients with AF recurrences (86.2 ± 14.0 vs 80.2 ± 16.8, P = 0.005). Conclusion: Compared to the CryoMaze procedure alone, the hybrid ablation strategy was associated with higher QoL 12 months post-procedure in patients with non-paroxysmal AF undergoing cardiac surgery for structural heart disease. Arrhythmia recurrence was the most significant denominator of the QoL after concomitant AF surgery.
- Klíčová slova
- CryoMaze,
- MeSH
- fibrilace síní * chirurgie MeSH
- kardiochirurgické výkony metody MeSH
- katetrizační ablace metody škodlivé účinky MeSH
- koronární bypass metody MeSH
- kvalita života MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- maze procedura * metody MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- statistika jako téma MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
AIMS: Data on the hybrid atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment are lacking in patients with structural heart disease undergoing concomitant CryoMaze procedures. The aim was to assess whether the timely pre-emptive catheter ablation would achieve higher freedom from AF or atrial tachycardia (AT) and be associated with better clinical outcomes than surgical ablation alone. METHODS AND RESULTS: The trial investigated patients with non-paroxysmal AF undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve repair/replacement with mandatory concomitant CryoMaze procedure who were randomly assigned to undergo either radiofrequency catheter ablation [Hybrid Group (HG)] or no further treatment (Surgery Group). The primary efficacy endpoint was the first recurrence of AF/AT without class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs as assessed by implantable cardiac monitors. The primary clinical endpoint was a composite of hospitalization for arrhythmia recurrence, worsening of heart failure, cardioembolic event, or major bleeding. We analysed 113 and 116 patients in the Hybrid and Surgery Groups, respectively, with a median follow-up of 715 (IQR: 528-1072) days. The primary efficacy endpoint was significantly reduced in the HG [41.1% vs. 67.4%, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26-0.57, P < 0.001] as well as the primary clinical endpoint (19.9% vs. 40.1%, HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29-0.86, P = 0.012). The trial groups did not differ in all-cause mortality (10.6% vs. 8.6%, HR = 1.17, 95%CI: 0.51-2.71, P = 0.71). The major complications of catheter ablation were infrequent (1.9%). CONCLUSION: Pre-emptively performed catheter ablation after the CryoMaze procedure was safe and associated with higher freedom from AF/AT and improved clinical outcomes.
- MeSH
- antiarytmika terapeutické užití MeSH
- fibrilace síní * diagnóza chirurgie farmakoterapie MeSH
- katetrizační ablace * škodlivé účinky metody MeSH
- krvácení MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- recidiva MeSH
- supraventrikulární tachykardie * chirurgie MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- multicentrická studie MeSH
- randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
BACKGROUND: Comparative data regarding the effect of percutaneous and thoracoscopic ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) on cognitive function are very limited. The aim of the study was to determine and compare the effect of both types of ablations on patient cognitive functions in the mid-term. METHODS: Patients with AF indicated for ablation procedure were included. Forty-six patients underwent thoracoscopic, off-pump ablation using the COBRA Fusion radiofrequency system, followed by a catheter ablation three months afterward (Hybrid group). A comparative cohort of 53 AF patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation only (PVI group). Neuropsychological examinations were done before and nine months after the surgical or catheter ablation procedure. Neuropsychological testing comprised 13 subtests of seven domains, and the results were expressed as post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) nine months after the procedure. RESULTS: Patients in both groups were similar with respect to the baseline clinical characteristics; only non-paroxysmal AF was more common in the hybrid group (98% vs. 34%). Major POCD was present in eight (17.4%) of hybrid patients versus three (5.7%) of PVI patients (p = 0.11), combined (major/minor) worsened cognitive decline was present in 10 (21.7%) hybrid patients versus three (5.6%) PVI patients (p = 0.034). On the other hand, combined (major/minor) improvement was present in 15 (32.6%) hybrid patients versus nine (16.9%) patients in the PVI group (p = 0.099). CONCLUSION: Hybrid ablation, a combination of thoracoscopic and percutaneous ablation, is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline compared to sole percutaneous ablation.
- MeSH
- fibrilace síní * chirurgie MeSH
- katetrizační ablace * metody MeSH
- kognice MeSH
- kognitivní dysfunkce * etiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- recidiva MeSH
- venae pulmonales * chirurgie MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is common in patients with structural heart disease who are undergoing cardiac surgery. Surgical CryoMaze has been shown to be an effective treatment in several trials, but success rates have varied considerably, between 47-95%. The sequential hybrid approach, combining surgical CryoMaze followed by radiofrequency catheter ablation, can achieve high freedom from atrial arrhythmias. However, in patients with concomitant surgical atrial fibrillation treatment, data comparing the hybrid approach to CryoMaze alone are lacking. METHODS: The SurHyb study was designed as a prospective, open-label, multicentre randomized trial. Patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting or valve repair/replacement were randomized to either surgical CryoMaze alone or surgical CryoMaze followed by radiofrequency catheter ablation 3 months post-surgery. The primary outcome measure was arrhythmia-free survival without class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs, which has been evaluated using implantable cardiac monitors. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized study that compares concomitant surgical CryoMaze alone with the staged hybrid surgical CryoMaze followed by catheter ablation, in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using rigorous rhythm monitoring. The results may contribute to the optimization of the treatment in patients undergoing concomitant CryoMaze for atrial fibrillation.
- MeSH
- antiarytmika terapeutické užití MeSH
- fibrilace síní * chirurgie farmakoterapie MeSH
- kardiochirurgické výkony * metody MeSH
- katetrizační ablace * metody MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- multicentrické studie jako téma MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- randomizované kontrolované studie jako téma MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- protokol klinické studie MeSH
OBJECTIVES: This study sought to comprehensively determine the procedural safety and midterm efficacy of hybrid ablations. BACKGROUND: Hybrid ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) (thoracoscopic ablation followed by catheter ablation) has been used for patients with nonparoxysmal AF; however, accurate data regarding efficacy and safety are still limited. METHODS: Patients with nonparoxysmal AF underwent thoracoscopic, off-pump ablation using the COBRA Fusion radiofrequency system (Estech) followed by a catheter ablation 3 months afterward. The safety of the procedure was assessed using sequential brain magnetic resonance and neuropsychological examinations at baseline (1 day before), postoperatively (2-4 days for brain magnetic resonance imaging or 1 month for neuropsychological examination), and at 9 months after the surgical procedure. Implantable loop recorders were used to detect arrhythmia recurrence. Arrhythmia-free survival (the primary efficacy endpoint) was defined as no episodes of AF or atrial tachycardia while off antiarrhythmic drugs, redo ablations or cardioversions. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (age: 62.5 ± 10.5 years) were enrolled, 37 (62.7%) were men, and the mean follow-up was 30.3 ± 10.8 months. Thoracoscopic ablation was successfully performed in 55 (93.2%) patients. On baseline magnetic resonance imaging, chronic ischemic brain lesions were present in 60.0% of patients. New ischemic lesions on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging were present in 44.4%. Major postoperative cognitive dysfunction was present in 27.0% and 17.6% at 1 and 9 months postoperatively, respectively. The probability of arrhythmia-free survival was 54.0% (95% CI: 41.3-66.8) at 1 year and 43.8% (95% CI: 30.7-57.0) at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The thoracoscopic ablation is associated with a high risk of silent cerebral ischemia. The midterm efficacy of hybrid ablations is moderate.
- MeSH
- antiarytmika terapeutické užití MeSH
- fibrilace síní * farmakoterapie chirurgie MeSH
- katetrizační ablace * škodlivé účinky MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- supraventrikulární tachykardie * chirurgie MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
BACKGROUND: Hybrid ablation (i.e., a combination of a thoracoscopic surgical ablation followed by a catheter ablation) is a treatment option for patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite its promising efficacy, it is a surgical procedure with a relatively high risk of complications that could affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients, even when sinus rhythm is restored. OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in the QoL of patients with non-paroxysmal AF before and after a hybrid ablation. METHODS: Patients after hybrid ablation for persistent or long-standing persistent AF were prospectively studied. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The maintenance of SR was assessed using 1-week Holter recordings at 6 and 12 months and 24-h Holter recordings at 3 and 9 months, or via an implantable loop recorder. QoL was assessed using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-life (AFEQT) and the EuroQoL-5Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaires before and 12 months after ablation. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (49 men, age 62.9 ± 8.45 years, 48 (64%) with long-standing persistent AF) were enrolled. Fifty-two (69.3%, SR group) were AF-free during the 12-month follow-up, 16 (21.3%, PAROX group) had only paroxysms of AF after ablation, and 7 (9.3%, PERM group) were on rate control due to permanent AF reoccurrence. The AFEQT score increased significantly in the SR group from 59.9 ± 19.4 to 91.4 ± 10.8 (p < 0.001), and in the PAROX group from 58.8 ± 19.0 to 81.5 ± 14.1 (p = 0.002) but remained unchanged in the PERM group (44.6 ± 7.5 vs. 47.4 ± 5.5, p = 0.24). The EQ-5D score significantly decreased in the descriptive part (from 7.90 ± 2.61 to 6.64 ± 1.90, p = 0.0001) and increased on the visual analog scale (from 63.56 ± 19.11 to 79.30 ± 16.9, p < 0.0001) in the SR group. In the PAROX group, no significant change was present on either the descriptive part (p = 0.3) or in the visual analog scale (p = 0.48). Similarly, no significant changes were present on either the descriptive part (p = 0.93) or the visual analog scale (p = 0.4) in the PERM group. CONCLUSION: The QoL of patients with non-paroxysmal AF and patients with AF paroxysms, after successful hybrid ablation, improved significantly in patients with SR. No significant improvement was present in patients on rate control after an unsuccessful ablation.
- MeSH
- elektrokardiografie ambulantní MeSH
- fibrilace síní chirurgie MeSH
- katetrizační ablace metody MeSH
- kvalita života * MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- torakoskopie * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Úvod: Minimálně invazivní chirurgické ablace se stávají zajímavou možností, jak léčit pacienty s izolovanou fibrilací síní (FS). Obecně jsou však tyto ablace spojovány s vyšší četností perioperačních komplikací. Cílem této studie bylo shrnout výskyt komplikací u všech takových procedur provedených v našem centru a porovnat jej s údaji z relevantních publikací z poslední doby. Materiál a metody: Shromážděny a analyzovány byly veškeré údaje o všech perioperačních a 30denních komplikacích thorakoskopických ablací FS provedených v našem centru. V recentní literatuře byly vyhledány studie popisující výsledky thorakoskopických a hybridních ablací. Četnosti komplikací byly porovnány s naším souborem a také s četnostmi komplikací při katetrizačních ablacích FS. Výsledky: V letech 2006–2017 podstoupilo thorakoskopickou ablaci FS v našem centru celkem 112 pacientů, a to s využitím tří různých katétrů. Průměrný věk nemocných činil 61,4 ± 8,8 roku, z 66 % šlo o muže a z 53 % o pacienty s dlouhodobě perzistentní fibrilací síní. Život ohrožující komplikace se vyskytly u dvou (1,8 %) pacientů – šlo o jednu konverzi na sternotomii a jednu cévní mozkovou příhodu. Závažné komplikace postihly šest (5,4 %) pacientů, z nichž u dvou bylo nutno provést revizi pro krvácení, u tří došlo k rozvoji parézy bráničního nervu a u jednoho se vyvinulo respirační selhání. Méně či středně závažné komplikace se vyskytly u 17 (15,2 %) pacientů. V nedávné literatuře jsme nalezli 27 publikací (popisujících celkem 1 869 pacientů) vhodných pro srovnání s našimi výsledky. Četnosti život ohrožujících a závažných komplikací se v různých centrech pohybovaly od 0 % do 16 %, průměrná četnost dosahovala hodnoty 4,8 %. Pokud jde o studie zaměřené na katetrizační ablace FS, se závažnými komplikacemi po nich se setkáváme u 5–7 % nemocných. Závěry: Četnosti 30denních, život ohrožujících a závažných komplikací jsou u miniinvazivních chirurgických a katetrizačních ablací FS srovnatelné. Četnosti méně a středně závažných komplikací jsou vyšší po ablacích chirurgických. Aby výskyt komplikací zůstal nízký, či dokonce klesal, měly by chirurgické či hybridní výkony být prováděny ve specializovaných centrech s dostatečnými zkušenostmi.
Introduction: Minimally invasive surgical ablations are becoming an interesting treatment option for patients with stand-alone atrial fibrillation (AF). However, they are in general connected with higher rates of perioperative complications. The aim of this study was to summarize the complications of all such procedures performed in our center and compare them with similar recent papers. Material and methods: All perioperative and 30-day complications of thoracoscopic ablations of AF performed in our center were collected and analyzed. Recent literature was searched for studies describing the outcomes of thoracoscopic and hybrid ablations. Rates of complications were then compared with our outcomes and also with catheter ablations. Results: A total of 112 patients underwent a thoracoscopic ablation of AF in our center between 2006 and 2017, with use of three different devices. Mean age was 61.4 ± 8.8 years, 66% were males and 53% of patients had long-standing persistent AF. Life-threatening complications occurred in two (1.8%) patients, including one conversion to sternotomy and one stroke. Severe complications occurred in six (5.4%) patients including two re-explorations for bleeding, three cases of phrenic nerve palsy and one respiratory failure. Minor or moderate complications occurred in 17 (15.2%) patients. Twenty-seven suitable papers were identified in recent literature for comparison (total of 1 869 patients). The rates of significant complications varied between 0 and 16% over different centers, mean rate was 4.8%. Regarding the catheter ablation studies, 5–7% of patients suffer from some severe complication after ablation of AF. Conclusions: Rates of 30-day, life-threatening and severe complications are comparable between mini-invasive surgical and catheter ablations of AF. Rates of minor complications appear to be higher in surgical ablations. To keep the rates low or even to decrease them, those surgical or hybrid procedures should be performed in experienced centers.
