loading page

A multi-centre experience of ablation index for evaluating lesion delivery in cavotricuspid isthmus dependent atrial flutter
  • +13
  • Edd Maclean,
  • Ron Simon,
  • Richard Ang,
  • Gurpreet Dhillon,
  • Syed Ahsan,
  • Fakhar Khan,
  • Mark Earley,
  • Pier Lambiase,
  • James Rosengarten,
  • Anthony Chow,
  • Mehul Dhinoja,
  • Rui Providencia,
  • Vias Markides,
  • Tom Wong,
  • Ross Hunter,
  • Jonathan Behar
Edd Maclean
Queen Mary University of London

Corresponding Author:e.maclean@nhs.net

Author Profile
Ron Simon
Barts Health NHS Trust
Author Profile
Richard Ang
Saint Bartholomew's Hospital
Author Profile
Gurpreet Dhillon
Saint Bartholomew's Hospital
Author Profile
Syed Ahsan
Saint Bartholomew's Hospital
Author Profile
Fakhar Khan
Barts Health NHS Trust
Author Profile
Mark Earley
Barts Health NHS Trust
Author Profile
Pier Lambiase
Saint Bartholomew's Hospital
Author Profile
James Rosengarten
Saint Bartholomew's Hospital
Author Profile
Anthony Chow
Barts Health NHS Trust
Author Profile
Mehul Dhinoja
Barts and The London NHS Trust
Author Profile
Rui Providencia
Saint Bartholomew's Hospital
Author Profile
Vias Markides
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Author Profile
Tom Wong
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Author Profile
Ross Hunter
Barts Health NHS Trust
Author Profile
Jonathan Behar
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Author Profile

Abstract

Introduction Anatomical studies demonstrate significant variation in cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) architecture. We hypothesised that ablation index (AI) may further our understanding of energy delivery across the CTI. Methods 38 patients underwent CTI ablation at two Cardiothoracic hospitals. Operators delivered 682 lesions in total with a target AI of 600Wgs. Ablation parameters were recorded every 10-20ms. Post hoc, Visitags were trisected according to CTI position: inferior vena cava (IVC), middle (Mid), or ventricular (V) lesions. Results There were no complications. 97.4% of patients (n=37) remained in sinus rhythm at 6.6±3.3 months’ follow-up. For the whole CTI, peak AI correlated with mean impedance drop (ID) (R2=0.89, p<0.0001). However, analysis by anatomical site demonstrated a non-linear relationship Mid CTI (R2=0.15, p=0.21). Accordingly, whilst mean AI was highest Mid CTI (IVC: 473.1±122.1 Wgs, Mid: 539.6±103.5 Wgs, V: 486.2±111.8 Wgs, ANOVA p<0.0001), mean ID was lower (IVC: 10.7±7.5Ω, Mid: 9.0±6.5Ω, V: 10.9±7.3Ω, p=0.011), and rate of ID was slower (IVC: 0.37±0.05 Ω/s, Mid: 0.18±0.08 Ω/s, V: 0.29±0.06 Ω/s, p<0.0001). Mean contact force was similar at all sites, however temporal fluctuations in contact force (IVC: 19.3±12.0mg/s, Mid: 188.8±92.1mg/s, V: 102.8±32.3mg/s, p<0.0001) and catheter angle (IVC: 0.42°/s, Mid: 3.4°/s, V: 0.28°/s, p<0.0001) were greatest Mid CTI. Use of a long sheath attenuated these fluctuations and improved ablation efficacy. Conclusions Ablation characteristics vary across the CTI. At the Mid CTI, operators should appreciate that higher AI values do not necessarily deliver more effective ablation; this may be explained by localised fluctuations in catheter angle and contact force.