Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation by Sex and Within High and Low Stroke Risk Populations.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of thromboembolic stroke, and oral anticoagulants (OACs) are an effective tool to reduce this risk. Previous studies have demonstrated that female, black, Hispanic, and Asian groups are less likely to be prescribed OACs. This study explores OAC rates by racial/ethnic group and assesses differences within sexes and between high and low CHADS-VASc risk groups.

Premature Ventricular Complexes After Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Recurrent Atrial Arrhythmias: The admIRE Subanalysis.

Background: Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) have been reported to independently predict incident atrial fibrillation in the general population. The prognostic importance of PVCs after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is unknown.

Objectives: In patients undergoing catheter ablation for PAF, we assessed whether postablation PVCs influence the risk for recurrence.

Taking a Detour: Step-by-Step Alternative Approaches to Transseptal Access.

Transseptal puncture via a femoral vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) is a commonly performed procedure in multiple electrophysiology studies that require access to the left atrium or left ventricle. However, the standard approach is impossible in certain anatomies with IVC obstruction, such as congenital IVC interruption with azygos continuation and acquired obstruction. Here, we describe a step-by-step approach to alternative methods for transseptal access, including the transhepatic approach and superior approach from either the internal jugular vein or axillary vein.

Pulsed Field Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: 1-Year Results of ADVANTAGE AF.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has gained prominence for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) to treat atrial fibrillation, but there are limited outcome data on PFA to treat persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF).

Objectives: This study sought to determine the safety and efficacy of PVI + posterior wall ablation (PWA) with PFA in PerAF.

Methods: ADVANTAGE AF (A Prospective Single Arm Open Label Study of the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation System in Subjects with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter pivotal investigational device exemption study of PerAF patients undergoing PVI+PWA with the pentaspline PFA catheter.

Comparison of left atrial appendage closure and oral anti-coagulation after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Concomitant and sequential cohorts of the OPTION randomized controlled trial.

Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) can be performed in separate procedures with cardiac ablation (sequentially) or concomitantly in the same operative session.

Objective: The OPTION trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety of LAAC with oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients who have undergone catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this sub-analysis is to evaluate LAAC vs OAC within concomitant and sequential ablation timings.

Pulsed Field Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation With Continuous Electrocardiographic Monitoring Follow-Up: ADVANTAGE AF Phase 2.

Background: There are sparse high-quality safety and effectiveness data for pulsed field ablation (PFA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF), in which lesions beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are often placed. In addition, no large trials have used insertable cardiac monitors for continuous rhythm monitoring after ablation in patients with PerAF or after PFA in any atrial fibrillation population. In Phase 2 of the ADVANTAGE AF study (A Prospective Single Arm Open Label Study of the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation System in Subjects With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation), patients with PerAF underwent PFA for PVI and posterior wall ablation (PWA) and, in a subcohort, cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for typical atrial flutter.

Predictors of atrial fibrillation freedom postablation with the pentaspline pulsed field ablation catheter: Subanalysis of the ADVENT Study.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has proven to be at least noninferior to thermal ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Predictors of AF freedom for PFA have not yet been described.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical and procedural predictors of treatment success in paroxysmal AF patients treated with the pentaspline PFA catheter.

Operator learning curve with a novel dual-energy lattice-tip ablation system.

Background: The SPHERE Per-AF trial demonstrated noninferiority for a primary composite effectiveness endpoint in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with a 9-mm, lattice-tip, pulsed field (PF)/radiofrequency (RF) system (74%) vs conventional contact force-sensing RF (65%). Although operators were highly experienced with the control, the vast majority was new to the investigational system.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the learning curve using this novel system.

Results of ICE-Guided Isolation of the Superior Vena Cava With Pulsed Field Ablation.

Background: Earlier studies have documented the risk for sinoatrial node injury and phrenic nerve paralysis as complications following radiofrequency catheter ablation for electrical isolation of the superior vena cava (SVCI).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of SVCI in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing pulsed field ablation (PFA) METHODS: A total of 1,600 consecutive patients undergoing PFA for pulmonary vein isolation plus SVCI were included in this multicenter analysis. Superior vena cava (SVC) ablation was performed under the continuous guidance of intracardiac echocardiography.

Early versus late atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulsed field ablation: insights from the admIRE trial.

Aims: Studies have shown correlations between early recurrence (ER) and late recurrence (LR) of atrial arrhythmia after ablation with thermal technologies. This admIRE trial (NCT05293639) subanalysis aims to analyse ER vs. LR in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) undergoing pulsed field ablation (PFA).

Application of artificial intelligence to analyze data from randomized controlled trials: An example from DECAAF II.

Background: Causal machine learning (ML) provides an efficient way of identifying heterogeneous treatment effect groups from hundreds of possible combinations, especially for randomized trial data.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to illustrate the potential of applying causal ML on the DECAAF II trial data. We proposed a causal ML model to predict the treatment response heterogeneity.

Comparing pulsed field ablation and thermal energy catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a cost-effectiveness analysis of the ADVENT trial.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as an effective technology in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PFA vs. thermal ablation from a US healthcare payer perspective using data from a randomized trial.

Multielectrode Radiofrequency Balloon Catheter for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Global, Multicenter, STELLAR Study.

Introduction: The safety and efficacy of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) ablation with the HELIOSTAR multielectrode radiofrequency (RF) balloon catheter have been demonstrated in European studies; data from elsewhere are lacking. This prospective, multicenter study conducted in the United States, Italy, and China investigated the safety and efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using HELIOSTAR in drug-refractory symptomatic PAF.

Methods: The primary effectiveness endpoint (PEE) was 12-month freedom from documented atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia plus freedom from acute procedural failure, nonstudy catheter failure, repeat ablation failure, direct current cardioversion (DCCV), and Class I/III antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) failure.

Pulsed Field Ablation to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Safety and Effectiveness in the AdmIRE Pivotal Trial.

Background: Evidence from clinical trials of early pulsed field ablation (PFA) systems in treating atrial fibrillation has demonstrated their promising potential to reduce complications associated with conventional thermal modalities while maintaining efficacy. However, the lack of a fully integrated mapping system, a staple technology of most modern electrophysiology procedures, poses limitations in lesion creation and workflow options. A novel variable-loop PFA catheter integrated with an electroanatomic mapping system has been developed that allows for real-time nonfluoroscopic procedural guidance and lesion indexing as well as feedback of tissue-to-catheter proximity.

Autonomic Effects of Pulsed Field vs Thermal Ablation for Treating Atrial Fibrillation: Subanalysis of ADVENT.

Background: Autonomic denervation is an ancillary phenomenon during thermal ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), that may have synergistic effects on symptomatic improvement and long-term freedom from AF. Pulsed field ablation (PFA), a nonthermal ablation modality, was noninferior to thermal ablation in treating AF; however, PFA's relative myocardial selectivity may minimize autonomic effects.

Objectives: This study sought to compare heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics as markers of autonomic function after ablation using PFA vs thermal ablation.

Pulsed Field vs Conventional Thermal Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Recurrent Atrial Arrhythmia Burden.

Background: The ADVENT randomized trial revealed no significant difference in 1-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias (AA) between thermal (radiofrequency/cryoballoon) and pulsed field ablation (PFA). However, recent studies indicate that the postablation AA burden is a better predictor of clinical outcomes than the dichotomous endpoint of 30-second AA recurrence.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine: 1) the impact of postablation AA burden on outcomes; and 2) the effect of ablation modality on AA burden.