High-Power Short-Duration Ablation versus Conventional Power Ablation in
Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: An
Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled
Trials
Abstract
Introduction: High-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation has
emerged as a promising alternative to conventional power delivery (CPD)
for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) among patients with atrial
fibrillation (AF). However, its efficacy, procedural efficiency, and
safety profile remain uncertain. Methods: PubMed, Embase,
Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.Gov databases were systematically
searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HPSD with CPD
ablation for PVI in patients with AF. Random-effects models were used to
pool hazard ratios (HR) and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence
intervals (CI). R version 4.4.2 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Seven RCTs with 1,006 patients (514 HPSD, 489 CPD)
were included. No significant differences were found in freedom from
arrhythmia during the follow-up period (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.41–1.45;
p=0.424). AF recurrence did not differ (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.65–1.36;
p=0.733) between groups. HPSD had a significantly shorter procedural (MD
-22.61 min; 95% CI -33.18, -12.04; p<0.001) and RF ablation
times (MD -15.70 min; 95% CI -20.86, -10.55; p<0.001). No
differences were observed in fluoroscopy time and first-pass isolation
for right and left pulmonary veins. There was no difference in
esophageal lesion rates, pericardial, or neurological complications, but
there was a higher incidence of steam pops in HPSD (RR 3.42; 95% CI
1.45–8.09; p=0.005). Conclusion: In patients with AF
undergoing PVI, HPSD did not increase freedom from arrhythmia as
compared with CPD ablation, however it was associated with shorter
procedure and RF ablation times with a similar safety profile.