Stepwise Endo-/Epicardial Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: the
Mediterranea Approach
Abstract
Background: Outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) among patients with
non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) are largely disappointing.
Objective: We sought to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and
safety of a single-stage stepwise endo-/epicardial approach in patients
with persistent/longstanding-persistent AF. Methods: We enrolled 25
consecutive patients with symptomatic persistent (n=4) or
longstanding-persistent (n=21) AF and at least one prior endocardial
procedure, who underwent CA using an endo-/epicardial approach. Our
anatomical stepwise protocol included multiple endocardial as well as
epicardial (Bachmann’s bundle [BB] and ligament of Marshall
ablations) components, and entailed ablation of atrial tachycardias
emerging during the procedure. The primary outcome was freedom from any
AF/atrial tachycardia episode after a 3-month blanking period. The
secondary outcome was patients’ symptom status during follow-up.
Results: The stepwise endo-/epicardial approach allowed sinus rhythm
restoration in 72% of patients, either directly (n=6, 24%) or after AF
organization into atrial tachycardia (n=12, 48%). BB’s ablation was
commonly implicated in arrhythmia termination. After a median follow-up
of 266 days (interquartile range, 96 days), survival free from AF/atrial
tachycardia was 88%. Antiarrhythmic drugs could be discontinued in 22
patients (88%). As compared to baseline, more patients were
asymptomatic at 9-month follow-up (0% vs- 56%, p=0.02). Five patients
(20%) developed mild medical complications, whereas one subject (4%)
had severe kidney injury requiring dialysis. Conclusion: a single-stage
endo-/epicardial CA resulted in favorable rhythm and symptom outcomes in
a cohort of patients with symptomatic persistent/longstanding-persistent
AF and one or more prior endocardial procedures. Epicardial ablation of
BB was commonly implicated in procedural success.