Intracardiac Echocardiography Guided electrified J-wire trans-septal
puncture: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Abstract
Background: Application of electrocautery to a J-wire is used
to perform transseptal puncture (TSP), but with limited evidence
supporting safety and efficacy. We conducted a prospective randomized
controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique.
Methods: 200 consecutive patients were randomized in a 1:1
fashion to either the ICE-guided electrified J-wire TSP group or a
conventional Brockenbrough (BRK) needle TSP group. The TSP was performed
with a 0.032″ guidewire under 20W, “coag” mode and was compared to TSP
using the BRK needle. The primary safety endpoints were complications
related to TSP. The primary efficacy endpoints included the TSP success
rate, the total TSP time, and the total procedure time.
Results: All patients complete the procedure safely. The
electrified J-wire TSP group had a significantly shorter TSP time than
BRK needle TSP group. The total procedure time, number of TSP attempts
required to achieve successful LA access, width of the intra-atrial
shunt at the end of ablation were similar between the two groups. The
incidence of new cerebral infarction detected by MRI were similar
between the 2 groups (3/32 patients in the J-wire TSP group and 2/26
patients in conventional BRK TSP group, p=0.82). And no difference in
the incidence of residual intra-atrial shunt (4.3% versus 6%, p=0.654)
during the 3-month’s follow up. Conclusion: Using an
electrified J-wire for TSP under the guidance of ICE appears to be as
safe as and more efficient than conventional BRK needle TSP, which may
be especially useful in the era of non-fluoroscopy AF ablation.