Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jamario R. Skeete, Jeanne M. Du-Fay-de-Lavallaz, David Kenigsberg, Carlos Macias, Jeffrey R. Winterfield, Parikshit S. Sharma, Richard G. Trohman, Henry D. Huang
Summary: Catheter-based ablation techniques, including the use of laser energy, play a crucial role in atrial fibrillation (AF) management. While laser balloon ablation may not be as widely used as other techniques, advancements in product design and procedural protocols have shown it to be equally safe and effective. Strategies to improve procedural efficiency and decrease radiation exposure make laser balloon ablation an increasingly promising option.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Chenxia Wu, Luoxia Hu, Youjin Kong, Bowen Zhao, Wei Mao, Xinbin Zhou
Summary: This study conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of balloon-based catheter ablation technologies (HBA, LBA, and CBA) for atrial fibrillation. The results showed that HBA, LBA, and CBA had comparable outcomes in terms of AF recurrence and procedure-related complications. HBA ranked highest in terms of primary outcomes but had a higher incidence of touch-up ablation and longer fluoroscopy time.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wenyi Ye, Qian Chen, Guangci Fan, Xinbin Zhou, Xiao Wang, Wei Mao, Juanjuan Li
Summary: This meta-analysis compared laser balloon ablation (LBA) and cryoballoon ablation (CBA) as treatment options for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients. The results showed that LBA and CBA had similar efficacy and safety. LBA had longer procedural and left atrial (LA) dwell times compared to CBA, but tended to have shorter fluoroscopy time.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gregory F. Michaud, William G. Stevenson
Summary: A 63-year-old healthy male with atrial fibrillation presents with symptoms of dyspnea and irregular heartbeat. Physical examination reveals high blood pressure, irregular pulse, and ECG confirms atrial fibrillation. Further evaluation and treatment plan are needed.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Isaac W. Leon-acuna, Takeki Suzuki
Summary: Andrade et al. found that initial catheter cryoballoon ablation strategy resulted in lower incidence of persistent atrial fibrillation and lower arrhythmia burden compared to antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during 3 years of follow-up. The study builds upon the findings of the EARLY-AF trial and the STOP AF First trial. Due to the relatively small sample size (303 patients) and short follow-up period, it may be difficult to detect mortality benefits of cryoballoon ablation.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Shota Tohoku, Stefano Bordignon, Fabrizio Bologna, Shaojie Chen, Lukas Urbanek, Felix Operhalski, K. R. Julian Chun, Boris Schmidt
Summary: This article summarizes the contemporary technical evolution of visually guided laser balloon catheter for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation. The review evaluates available efficacy outcomes and historical changes in ablation style, as well as discusses future perspectives for clinical practice. With advancements like a more compliant balloon and continuous ablation mode, the concept of ablation strategy using the laser balloon catheter has shifted towards a 'single-shot' fashion. The development of real-time recording systems and durable structured balloons may further enhance the device's efficacy for pulmonary vein isolation.
EXPERT REVIEW OF MEDICAL DEVICES
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xinyi Peng, Xiao Liu, Hongbo Tian, Yu Chen, Xuexun Li
Summary: This study compared the characteristics and prognosis differences between hot balloon ablation (HBA) and cryoballoon ablation (CBA) in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Results showed that patients who received HBA treatment were more likely to require touch-up ablation and had longer procedure times. However, clinical outcomes between HBA and CBA were comparable during mid-term follow-up.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Florian Baptiste, Jerome Kalifa, Cyril Durand, Edouard Gitenay, Michel Bremondy, Anis Ayari, Nicolas Maillot, Antonio Taormina, Aicha Fofana, Guillaume Penaranda, Sabrina Siame, Clement Bars, Julien Seitz
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and electrophysiological characteristics of atrial fibrillation (AF) drivers arising from the right atrial appendage (RAA). The results showed that 7% of patients had RAA drivers, which were associated with the termination of AF.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Oussama M. Wazni, Gopi Dandamudi, Nitesh Sood, Robert Hoyt, Jaret Tyler, Sarfraz Durrani, Mark Niebauer, Kevin Makati, Blair Halperin, Andre Gauri, Gustavo Morales, Mingyuan Shao, Jeffrey Cerkvenik, Rachelle E. Kaplon, Steven E. Nissen
Summary: In this multicenter trial, cryoballoon ablation as initial therapy was found to be superior to drug therapy in preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Serious procedure-related adverse events were uncommon.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
J. G. Andrade, M. W. Deyell, L. Macle, G. A. Wells, M. Bennett, V Essebag, J-F Roux, D. Yung, A. Skanes, Y. Khaykin, C. Morillo, U. Jolly, P. Novak, E. Lockwood, G. Amit, P. Angaran, J. Sapp, S. Wardell, S. Lauck, J. Cadrin-Tourigny, S. Kochhaeuser, A. Verma
Summary: This study evaluated the treatment effect of catheter cryoballoon ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for initial paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The results showed that in the 3-year follow-up period, the catheter ablation group had a lower incidence of persistent atrial fibrillation and recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia compared to the drug therapy group. Additionally, the proportion of time in atrial fibrillation was also lower in the ablation group. Therefore, catheter ablation is recommended as the initial treatment for initial paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jason G. Andrade, Oussama M. Wazni, Malte Kuniss, Nathaniel M. Hawkins, Marc W. Deyell, Gian-Battista Chierchia, Steven Nissen, Atul Verma, George A. Wells, Ricky D. Turgeon
Summary: Cryoballoon catheter ablation has been shown to significantly improve arrhythmia outcomes, produce clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcomes, reduce subsequent health care resource use, and not increase the risk of serious adverse events compared with initial antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with treatment-naive AF.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Giovanni Rovaris, Giuseppe Ciconte, Marco Schiavone, Gianfranco Mitacchione, Alessio Gasperetti, Elena Piazzi, Gabriele Negro, Elisabetta Montemerlo, Roberto Rondine, Mattia Pozzi, Mirko Casiraghi, Sergio De Ceglia, Daniele Giacopelli, Maurizio Viecca, Gabriele Vicedomini, Giovanni B. Forleo, Carlo Pappone
Summary: The study evaluated the safety and efficacy of second-generation laser balloon (LB2) ablation in treating atrial fibrillation (AF) using continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring, showing a high freedom from recurrences and low arrhythmic burden. Results indicated that the LB2 ablation procedure was safe and effective in achieving durable pulmonary vein isolation, with a significant reduction in atrial tachyarrhythmias recurrences.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Shinichi Tachibana, Kaoru Okishige, Koji Sudo, Takatoshi Shigeta, Yuichiro Sagawa, Rena Nakamura, Manabu Kurabayashi, Yasuteru Yamauchi, Masahiko Goya, Tetsuo Sasano
Summary: This study found that patients who developed phrenic nerve injury during PV isolation tended to have a larger right superior pulmonary vein ostial area. A large RSPVOA and small balloon size were identified as independent risk factors for phrenic nerve injury during VGLA.
CIRCULATION JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fabien Squara, Didier Scarlatti, Sok-Sithikun Bun, Pamela Moceri, Emile Ferrari, Olivier Meste, Vicente Zarzoso
Summary: This study found that Fibrillatory Wave Amplitude (FWA) is unrelated to the complexity of atrial fibrillation (AF) but is mainly determined by the amount of viable atrial myocytes. Therefore, FWA should only be referred as a marker of atrial tissue pathology.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Leonard Bergau, Philipp Bengel, Vanessa Sciacca, Thomas Fink, Christian Sohns, Philipp Sommer
Summary: Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide and is strongly associated with heart failure. Two therapeutic strategies, rhythm control and rate control, are accepted as the standard of care in AF patients with heart failure. Recent important studies have investigated the optimal therapeutic strategy in HF patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)