title: Hybrid approach to atrial fibrillation ablation using bipolar radiofrequency devices epicardially and cryoballoon endocardially.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bipolar radiofrequency (RF) devices are used epicardially by cardiac surgeons and cryoballoon endocardially by cardiac electrophysiologists for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, but in separate entities. The study's objective was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of combining an endocardial cryoballoon with epicardial bipolar RF ablation for the treatment of AF.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 7 patients with AF underwent a hybrid thoracoscopic surgical and endocardial ablation. To prevent bilateral sequential lung deflation in these patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the right pulmonary veins (PVs) were isolated using an epicardial bipolar RF clamp and the contralateral veins with an endocardial cryoballoon. A box lesion set was made epicardially using a bipolar RF pen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acutely, pacing manoeuvres proved a bidirectional block in all PVs in all patients. No complications were seen. A box lesion was made in 5 patients. During follow-up, 2 of them had AF recurrence: 1 was treated successfully with sotalol and another underwent redo RF catheter ablation with reisolation of the right inferior PV. At present, 6 of 7 patients are in sinus rhythm without any anti-arrythmic drugs during a follow-up of more than 40 ± 3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A hybrid approach to AF ablation using a cryoballoon endocardially and a bipolar RF device epicardially is feasible and safe.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht, Netherlands narendra.kumar@maastrichtuniversity.nl drnarendra007kr@gmail.com.
authors: Narendra
authors: N
authors: Kumar
authors: Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Pison
authors: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: La Meir
authors: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors: Jos
authors: J
authors: Maessen
authors: Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors: Harry J
authors: HJ
authors: Crijns
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D062906:Cardiac Catheters; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D004699:Endocardium / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Bipolar radio frequency; Catheter ablation; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cryoballoon; Hybrid approach; Surgical/epicardial ablation