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Purpose: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in persistent AF (persAF), and cryoballoon PVI emerged as an initial ablation strategy. Symptomatic atrial arrhythmia recurrence following successful PVI in persAF is observed more frequently than in paroxysmal AF. Predictors for arrhythmia recurrence following cryoballoon PVI for persAF are not well described, and the role of left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomy is uncertain.
Methods: Patients with symptomatic persAF and pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images undergoing initial second-generation cryoballoon (CBG2) were enrolled. Left atrial (LA), pulmonary vein (PV) and LAA anatomical data were assessed. Clinical outcome and predictors for atrial arrhythmia recurrence were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression analysis.
Results: From May 2012 to September 2016, 488 consecutive persAF patients underwent CBG2-PVI. CCTA with sufficient quality for measurements was available in 196 (60.4%) patients. Mean age was 65.7 ± 9.5 years. Freedom from arrhythmia was 58.2% after a median follow-up of 19 (13; 29) months. No major complications occurred. Independent predictors for arrhythmia recurrence were LAA volume (HR 1.082; 95% CI, 1.032 to 1.134; = 0.001) and mitral regurgitation ≥ grade 2 (HR, 2.49; 95% CI 1.207 to 5.126; = 0.013). LA volumes ≥110.35 ml [sensitivity: 0.81, specificity: 0.40, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.62] and LAA volumes ≥9.75 ml (sensitivity: 0.56, specificity 0.70, AUC = 0.64) were associated with recurrence. LAA-morphology, classified as chicken-wing (21.9%), windsock (52.6%), cactus (10.2%) and cauliflower (15.3%), did not predict outcome (log-rank, = 0.832).
Conclusion: LAA volume and mitral regurgitation were independent predictors for arrhythmia recurrence following cryoballoon ablation in persAF. LA volume was less predictive and correlated with LAA volume. LAA morphology did not predict the clinical outcome. To improve outcomes in persAF ablation, further studies should focus on treatment strategies for persAF patients with large LAA and mitral regurgitation.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1190860 | DOI Listing |
JAMA Netw Open
September 2025
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Importance: Patients with kidney failure (KF) receiving long-term dialysis have increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients with KF and AF have increased risk of stroke, death, and bleeding compared with age-matched cohorts. In KF, the use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) increases hemorrhage risk, offsetting potential benefits and making left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) a potentially promising solution for risk reduction in AF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Open
September 2025
Arrhythmia Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding Superior Vena Cava Isolation (SVCI) to Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) in patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).
Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, supplemented with Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) to assess evidence sufficiency.
Data Sources: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) and Web of Science for relevant studies published up to 13 July 2025.
J Innov Card Rhythm Manag
August 2025
Cardiology Division, Hamilton Health Sciences, Arrhythmia Service Unit, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
We present a case of a 71-year-old woman with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and atypical atrial flutter (AFL), ultimately diagnosed with a rare type 3 macro-re-entrant biatrial tachycardia (BiAT). Despite initial pulmonary vein isolation and anterior line ablation for atypical AFL, she experienced recurrent AFL requiring a complex redo ablation. Successful termination of the tachycardia was achieved by extending ablation to the septal regions of both atria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeart Rhythm O2
August 2025
Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is characterized by atrial myopathy, which predisposes patients to atrial fibrillation (AF) and other atrial arrhythmias (AA). Although catheter ablation of AA is effective in the general population, its efficacy and safety in patients with CA remain unclear.
Objective: The study aimed to evaluate outcomes in patients with CA undergoing catheter ablation for typical atrial flutter (TAFL) and left atrial (LA) arrhythmias and to assess the presence and influence of LA low-voltage areas (LVA) in the latter.
Heart Rhythm O2
August 2025
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Background: The recurrence of arrhythmia following catheter ablation of macro-reentrant atrial tachycardia (MRAT) in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) is poorly understood.
Objective: To better describe the incidence, mechanisms, and predictors of recurrent atrial arrhythmia following MRAT ablation in rTOF.
Methods: Patients with rTOF ≥18 years of age who underwent radiofrequency ablation for MRAT (typical/cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter, incisional/scar-mediated MRAT, upper and lower-loop reentry, or left atrial MRAT) at Duke University Hospital from 1996 to 2023 were identified.