Left mitral isthmus ablation associated with PV Isolation: long-term results of a prospective randomized study.
BACKGROUND
The deployment of an ablation line connecting the left inferior PV to the mitral annulus (mitral isthmus line [MIL]) enhances the efficacy of pulmonary vein disconnection (PVD) in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term effect of the additional linear lesion in a prospective randomized study.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty-seven patients (37 females, mean age: 55 +/- 11 years) with paroxysmal (126) or persistent (61 patients) AF, were prospectively randomized into two groups: PVD (group A, 92 patients) or PVD combined with MIL (group B, 95 patients), performed by means of an irrigated-tip ablation catheter.


RESULTS
Successful disconnection of all PVs was achieved in all patients. A bidirectional block (BB) along the left atrial isthmus was obtained in 72 of 95 (76%) patients in group B, most of whom required additional RF pulses from within the distal CS. A transient ischemic attack occurred in 1 patient of group A, and a cardiac tamponade occurred in 1 patient of group B. At 1 year, 53 +/- 5% (group A) and 71 +/- 5% (group B) remained arrhythmia free (P = 0.01); subgroup analysis highlights a higher improvement among patients with persistent AF (74 +/- 9% vs 36 +/- 9%; P < 0.01) than what was observed in paroxysmal AF (76 +/- 6% vs 62 +/- 6%; P < 0.05); antiarrhythmic drugs were continued in 56% and 50%, respectively, in groups A and B (P = ns).


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of mitral isthmus line to the PV disconnection allows a significant improvement of sinus rhythm maintenance rate, particularly in patients with persistent AF, without the risk for major complications.
Fassini
Gaetano
G
Institute of Cardiology Fondazione Monzino, University of Milan, Italy. gaetano.fassini@cardiologiccomonzino.it
Riva
Stefania
S
Chiodelli
Roberta
R
Trevisi
Nicola
N
Berti
Marco
M
Carbucicchio
Corrado
C
Maccabelli
Giuseppe
G
Giraldi
Francesco
F
Bella
Paolo Della
PD
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome