Abstract
Background Ethanol infusion in the vein of Marshall (EIVM) has shown to
be effective for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) and perimitral left
atrial (LA) flutter (PMLAF). Aims To assess the persistence of LA
lesions created by EIVM by electro-anatomical mapping (EAM) at repeated
procedure for recurrent atrial tachycardia (AT) or AF. Methods We
included consecutive patients who underwent EIVM then repeated CA for
recurrent AT or AF with high-definition EAM in a single center. Acute
and long term EIVM effect was assessed at the index and redo procedures
by comparing the area of bipolar voltage <0.05 mV in the vein
of Marshall (VOM) region before, immediately after and late after EIVM.
Results 24 consecutive patients (mean age 68.6±6.1 years, 58% men)
underwent redo procedure after previous successful EIVM for persistent
AF (n=21; 88%) or PMLAF (n=5; 21%). In each case, EIVM had an acute
effect, with a post-EIVM scar in the VOM (median 12.4 cm2
[interquartile range (IQR) 7.6–15.7]). Mitral isthmus (MI)
bidirectional block was obtained in 20/24 patients (83%). In each
patient, the EIVM-related lesion persisted, with a chronic scar in the
VOM region (median 13.1 cm2 [IQR 8.1–15.9]). One quarter of
patients (5/20) had late MI reconnection, which was located at the
mitral annulus edge or in the coronary sinus. Conclusions Atrial lesions
created by EIVM are durable, which reinforces the efficacy profile of
EIVM. Reconduction sites in the MI are located at the edge of the mitral
annulus and in the coronary sinus.