Countrywide introduction of pulsed field ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: Acute results from the FRANCE-PFA registry.

Background: Most data on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using the first available pentaspline pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter (Farapulse, Boston Scientific Inc) come from retrospective center-level registries collected in highly experienced centers.

Objective: This study aimed to provide exhaustive and prospective patient-level data on this new ablation modality.

Methods: FRANCE-PFA is a nationwide registry (NCT06497933) that included all patients undergoing a first AF ablation using the pentaspline PFA catheter since the introduction of this technology in France.

Efficacy and Drug-Related Complications of Anticholinergic Drugs for Vagal Reaction Prevention During Pulsed Field Ablation.

Background: Vagal responses (VR) are frequently observed during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with pulsed field ablation (PFA).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 different anticholinergic (AC) medications, namely glycopyrrolate (GLY) or atropine (ATP), for VR prophylaxis in patients undergoing PVI via a pentaspline PFA catheter.

Methods: Consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing first-time PVI with PFA were prospectively enrolled at 4 centers between April 2023 and March 2024.

Redo ablation procedures to treat recurrent atrial arrhythmias via a pentaspline pulsed field ablation catheter: a prospective, multicenter experience.

Background: Patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation may require redo procedures involving pulmonary vein (PV) re-isolation and/or ablation of extra-PV sites. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) offers a highly selective energy source for cardiac tissue, with the potential to reduce collateral damage to adjacent structures. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of redo ablation using a pentaspline PFA system.

Pulsed field ablation in the elderly by a pentaspline multielectrode catheter: Safety, efficacy, and comparison with cryoballoon and radiofrequency devices.

Background: Catheter ablation is an effective treatment of atrial fibrillation. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a novel energy modality that relies on high-voltage electric fields to achieve cardiac tissue ablation. Data on its efficacy in the elderly are scarce.

Same-day discharge strategy in a heart rhythm management clinic: The patient-reported experience.

Background: Same-day discharge (SDD) has been adopted for interventional cardiology procedures, however, data on patient experience are scarce.

Aims: To investigate patient-reported experience after various SDD electrophysiology procedures.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing electrophysiology procedures, who fulfilled pre-defined eligibility criteria for SDD, completed the questionnaire before discharge.

A novel focal lattice-tip catheter toggling between pulsed field energy and radiofrequency for atrial arrhythmia ablation: Results from a real-world, multicenter registry.

Background: A novel focal lattice-tip catheter allowing the delivery of either pulsed field (PF) or radiofrequency (RF) energy has recently received regulatory approval. The technology features a proprietary 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system.

Objective: We describe the first real-world and multicenter experience.

Pulsed-field ablation of atrial fibrillation using the Farapulse system through the jugular vein: a case series of two patients.

We present two cases of patients with inaccessible femoral veins referred for ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent Jugular access pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with the pentaspline pulsed field ablation system. To our knowledge, there is only one other case reported of usage of this system via a superior approach by Mol et al. (Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology (2023) 66:835-836).

Maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion to identify patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who respond favorably to pulmonary vein isolation: the pre-pacific study.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is successful in approximately 50% of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) at one year. Identifying pre-procedurally the patients who respond favorably to a PVI alone strategy could improve their management. The present study aims to assess the predictive value of clinical response to pre-ablation electrical cardioversion (ECV) to identify the responders to PVI.

Prospective 1-year results of atrial fibrillation ablation using the pentaspline pulsed field ablation catheter: The initial French experience.

Background: Pulsed field ablation has recently emerged as an interesting non-thermal energy for atrial fibrillation ablation. At a time of rapid spread of this technology, there is still a lack of prospective real-life data.

Aim: To describe multicentre prospective safety and 1-year efficacy data in three of the first French centres to use pulsed field ablation.

Pulsed electric field, cryoballoon, and radiofrequency for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation: a propensity score-matched comparison.

Aims: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a novel, non-thermal energy source to selectively ablate cardiac tissue. We describe a multicentre experience on pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) via the pentaspline Farapulse™ PFA system vs. thermal-based technologies in a propensity score-matched population of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients.

Case Report: A leadless and endovascular pacemaker teamwork.

Background: Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device infections increase short- and long-term mortality, along with healthcare costs. Leadless pacemakers (PM) were developed to overcome pocket- and minimize lead-related complications in selected high-risk patients. Recent advancements enable leadless devices to mechanically detect atrial activity, facilitating atrioventricular (AV) synchronous stimulation.

Optimized workflow for pulmonary vein isolation using 90-W radiofrequency applications: a comparative study.

Background: Ninety-watt applications are more sensitive to catheter instability and produce lesions that are shallower and smaller in diameter than 50-W applications. These characteristics were considered for the development of a combined (90-50 W) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) strategy which was prospectively compared to a 50 W-only ablation index (AI)-guided PVI strategy.

Methods: One hundred fifty consecutive paroxysmal AF patients underwent PVI under general anesthesia using CARTO.

Temporal Trends in Pacemaker Implantations Over the Past Decade in France: Impact of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantations.

In this study, we assessed the temporal trends of permanent pacemaker implantations in France from 2008 to 2018 using data from the Échantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires (EGB) administrative database, a representative sample of the French population. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantations on the overall pacemaker implantation rate. Our data suggest that the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantations in France increased significantly only in patients ≥80 years old, with post-transcatheter aortic valve implantations accounting for at least 2/3 of this increase.

Pulsed-Field Ablation on Mitral Isthmus in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Preliminary Data on Efficacy and Safety.

Background: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a new and promising modality of ablation that has been shown to specifically ablate cardiac tissue while sparing other anatomic structures, thus avoiding thermal ablation-related complications. Recent studies have certified safety and efficacy of PFA for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in the setting of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there are very limited data assessing the feasibility and safety of PFA ablation of different substrates within the left atrium in the setting of persistent AF.

Outcomes after cryoballoon ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with the PolarX or the Arctic Front Advance Pro: a prospective multicentre experience.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare procedural efficacy and safety, including 1-year freedom from AF recurrence, between the novel cryoballoon system PolarX (Boston Scientific) and the Arctic Front Advance Pro (AFA-Pro) (Medtronic), in patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing PVI.

Methods And Results: This multicentre prospective observational study included 267 consecutive patients undergoing a first cryoablation procedure for paroxysmal AF (137 PolarX, 130 AFA-Pro). Kaplan-Meier curves with the log-rank test was used to compare the 1-year freedom from AF recurrence between both groups.