Targeting Bachmann’s bundle in hybrid ablation for long standing
persistent atrial fibrillation: a proof of concept study
Abstract
Introduction. Catheter-based or surgical procedures in patients with
long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) remain a challenge.
As a result, different approaches including hybrid (surgical and
endocardial) ablation have been developed. Bachmann’s bundle (BB) is a
mainly epicardial structure capable of sustaining arrhythmic reentry
that could be involved in the development and perpetuation of atrial
fibrillation. We investigated the efficacy and safety of an adjunctive
BB ablation in LSPAF patients undergoing hybrid ablation. Methods. In a
two arm non randomized study, consecutive LSPAF patients undergoing
epicardial isolation of pulmonary veins with left atrial posterior wall
(box-lesion) with (n=30, BB-group) and without additional BB ablation
(n=30, CONV-group) were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent an
endocardial procedure within 6 weeks post-surgery to assess for
potential lesion gaps and additional atrial substrate modification. The
primary endpoint was freedom from AF through 12 months of follow-up.
Results. The two-staged hybrid ablation was successfully completed in
all patients. One-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias recurrence rates
was 96.6% in the BB group vs 76.6% in the CONV group (p=0.025). At
procedure completion, 30 (100%) and 17 (56%) patients had a
spontaneous cardioversion in BB and CONV group respectively (p
< 0.001). No significant differences in quality of life or
complication rates were observed. Conclusions. This initial experience
shows, for the first time, that adjunctive BB ablation in the setting of
hybrid ablation for LSPAF is a feasible and effective approach in
increasing maintenance of sinus rhythm without increasing complication
rates.