Adjunct posterior wall isolation reduces the recurrence of atrial
fibrillation in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation: a systematic
review and meta-analysis.
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has evolved to be an integral
part of ablative therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF), however,
recurrence rates of AF remain high even after complete wide area
circumferential PVI. In recent years adjunct posterior wall isolation
(PWI) has been performed in patients with more persistent forms of AF
but the benefits remain unclear. Aim: The objective of this
meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of adjunct posterior wall
isolation in reducing recurrence rate of AF using cryoballoon ablation
(CBA). Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Clinicaltrials.gov
and Cochrane CENTRAL. We included studies comparing PVI to PVI + PWI in
patients with persistent AF undergoing CBA. After data extraction and
quality assessment of the studies, we assessed recurrence rates of
atrial tachy-arrhythmias (AF, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia) as
well as total ablation time and procedural adverse events. Risk ratio
(RR), mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were
calculated using Review Manager. Results: Concomitant PWI demonstrated
significant decrease in recurrence risk of AF (RR 0.48; 95% CI
0.36-0.64; p < 0.00001) as well as all atrial arrhythmias (RR
0.57; 95% CI 0.47-0.70; p < 0.0001). There was no significant
difference in adverse events between both groups (RR 1.05; 95% CI
0.43-2.56; p = 0.91), whereas total ablation time was significantly
increased in PVI + PWI group (MD 22.67, 95% CI, 7.61-37.73, p = 0.003).
Conclusion: Adjunct PWI when compared to PVI alone decreases recurrence
rates of atrial tachy-arrhythmias after CBA of persistent AF.