Objective To analyse long-term follow-up outcome of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) for atrial ifbrillation (AF) in a single center and to investigate the clinical relative factors which affecting the effect. Methods The inpatient, operating and outpatient data of patients, who were treated by CBA for AF in our center from January 2009 to April 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Left atrium diameter (LAD) was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Failure-treatment of CBA was defined by episode of AF, atrial lfutter, atrial tachycardia lasted for 30 seconds after 3 months. Results A total of 199 patients were enrolled. The rates of phrenic nerve paralysis, pericardial effusion, transient ischemic attack were 1.5%(n=3), 0.5%(n=1), 0.5%(n=1),respectively. All complications were resolved spontaneously.152 patients had completed follow-up data after ifrst-time CBA during a long-term follow-up of mean 23±14 months, 65 patients (42.8%) treated success. 75 patients with failure-treated were (86.2%) experienced the atrial arrhythmia recurrence in ifrst 12 month. The characteristics of failure-treated patients included with older age[(62±7) years vs. (52±10) years, P=0.0379]and larger LAD[(48±6)mm vs. (43±6) mm, P<0.0001]. The Logistic analysis showed that LAD[OR=0.896(0.842,0.953), P=0.005]and age[OR=1.037 (1.000,1.076), P=0.0488]could individually predict the treat-failure after ifrst CBA, and only LAD[OR=0.876 (0.822,0.935), P < 0.0001]could individually predict the total CBA. Conclusions CBA procedure for AF is safe and effective, and the result of long-term follow-up is preferable. Most atrial arrhythmia are recurred during ifrst 12 month after CBA. LAD can individually predict the failure in treatment of CBA.

BACKGROUNDA novel circular pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) has been introduced for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Accurate delineation of left atrium-pulmonary vein (LA-PV) anatomy is important for this technique. The aim of this study was to test whether the 3-dimensional rotational angiography (3D RTA) of the left atrium can facilitate PVI using PVAC technique.

METHODSTwenty patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) were enrolled in this study. The 3D RTA was reconstructed and registered with live fluoroscopy in all the patients. AF ablation was performed with a PVAC catheter in the navigation of registered 3D RTA.

RESULTSThe 3DRTA image was successfully reconstructed and registered with live fluoroscopy in all patients (100%). The LA-PV anatomy was delineated clearly in all patients. Navigation of the PVAC inside the registered 3D RTA, ensured accurate placement within the atrium to perform ablation, and the PVAC was correctly placed inside the PV ostium to verify the PVI. All the PVs were isolated. Total procedural time was (87.5 ± 12.1) minutes, and fluoroscopy time was (20.1 ± 6.3) minutes. Follow-up after (7.1 ± 1.5) months showed freedom from AF in 70% (14/20) patients. No PV stenosis was observed.

CONCLUSIONSIntraprocedure reconstructed and registered 3D RTA can clearly delineate the LA-PV anatomy in real-time. The results demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of combining use of 3DRA and PVAC in AF ablation procedures.

Aged ; Angiography ; methods ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Heart Atria ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Veins ; surgery