Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) slow pathway modification for catheter ablation of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is traditionally performed using a 4mm, non-irrigated (NI) RF ablation catheter. Slow pathway modification using irrigated, contact-force sensing (ICFS) RFA catheters has been described in case reports, but outcomes have not been systematically evaluated. Methods: Acute procedural outcomes of 200 consecutive patients undergoing slow pathway modification for AVNRT were analyzed. An ICFS 3.5mm RFA catheter (ThermoCool SmartTouch STSF, Biosense Webster, Inc.) was utilized in 134 patients, and a 4mm NI RFA catheter (EZ Steer, Biosense Webster, Inc.) was utilized in 66 patients. Electroanatomic maps were retrospectively analyzed in a blinded fashion to determine proximity of ablation lesions to the His region. Results: Baseline characteristics of patients in both groups were similar. Total RF time was significantly lower in the ICFS group compared to the NI group (5.53±4.6 vs. 6.24±4.9 min, p=0.03). Median procedure time was similar in both groups, ICFS 108.0 (87.5-131.5) vs. NI 100.0 (85.0-125.0) min, p=0.2). Ablation was required in closer proximity to the His region in the NI group compared to the ICFS group (14.4 ± 5.9 mm vs, 16.7 ± 6.4 mm, respectively, p=0.01). AVNRT was rendered non-inducible in all patients, and there was no arrhythmia recurrence during follow-up in both groups. Catheter ablation was complicated by AV block in one patient in the NI group. Conclusion: Slow pathway modification for catheter ablation of AVNRT using an irrigated, contact-force sensing RFA catheter is feasible, safe, and may facilitate shorter duration ablation while avoiding ablation in close proximity to the His region.

Incident atrial fibrillation (AF) is common after cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) dependent atrial flutter (AFL) ablation. Risk factors for development of AF post ablation are not well understood. To identify patients undergoing CTI ablation for AFL most likely to develop AF. We identified 114 patients without history of AF who underwent CTI AFL ablation. We evaluated baseline characteristics, electrophysiology study (EPS) data and echocardiographic data for incidence of AF within 3 years. Incident AF was identified in 46 patients (40%) during 600 + 405 days follow-up. Left atrial volume index (LAVI) was significantly greater in patients who developed AF compared to those that did not (37  12.2 ml/m2 vs 30  13.4 ml/m2, p=.004). EPS data was similar between groups. Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve based on the LAVI for prediction of AF was 0.7 (p = 0.004). Kaplan-Meier estimated incidence of AF was significantly greater in patients with LAVI ≥ 30 ml/m2 than LAVI < 30 ml/m2 (66% vs 27%, p=0.004). Risk of incident AF in patients with LAVI > 40 mL/m2 was similar to that of LAVI 30-40 ml/m2 (67% vs 63%, respectively, p=0.97). In multivariate analysis LAVI remained the sole independent predictor of incidence AF after CTI AFL ablation. LAVI ≥ 30 ml/m2 is associated with significantly increased risk of incident AF following CTI ablation for typical AFL. The utility of elevated LAVI for identifying patients that may benefit from intensified arrhythmia monitoring, or prophylactic AF ablation requires further evaluation.

Background: Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for ventricular tachycardia (VT), albeit the decision to undergo this procedure is often influenced by underlying comorbidities. The present study aims at evaluating the effects of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on clinical outcomes of VT ablation. Methods: We identified 7,212 patients who presented between 2016-2018 and underwent catheter ablation for VT. Their clinical data were retrospectively accrued from the national readmission database (NRD) using the corresponding diagnosis codes. We compared clinical outcomes between patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD-group) and patients without. Odds ratios (OR) for the primary and secondary outcomes were calculated, and multivariable regression analysis was utilized to adjust for confounding variables. Results: Compared with patients without CKD, patients in CKD-group were older (mean age 67.9 vs. 60.5 years, P <0.01), had a longer mean length of stay (8.73 vs. 5.69 days, P <0.01), and higher in-hospital mortality (OR 2.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.29-3.88), P<0.01). CKD-group patients had increased risk of developing acute kidney injury (10% vs. 8.6%, P<0.01) and 30-day readmission rate due to VT (OR 1.77, 95% CI (1.17-2.69), P<0.01). Conclusion: In patients with CKD, VT ablation is associated with worse clinical outcomes in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission rate. This significantly influences the decision-making prior to performing this procedure.

Introduction: Left atrial posterior wall (LAPW) isolation is associated with favorable outcomes for catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (PEAF). Techniques for LAPW isolation include ablation at the periphery with or without high density ablation within the LAPW. The proportion of LA isolated by the lesion set also varies greatly. The optimal technique to achieve LAPW isolation is not clear. Objective: To assess impact of ablation lesion density within and dimensions of the LAPW isolation region on arrhythmia recurrence in catheter ablation of PEAF. Methods: LAPW lesion density and surface area relative to total LA surface area were calculated using electroanatomic maps of 110 consecutive patients undergoing LAPW isolation for PEAF (CARTO 3, Biosense Webster, Inc.). LAPW isolation was performed at the discretion of 5 experienced operators after voltage mapping. LAPW PV entrance and exit block were confirmed. Arrhythmia recurrence at two years was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: LAPW lesion density ranged from 0% - 99%. The proportion of LA surface area isolated ranged from 35% - 75%. There was no significant difference in arrhythmia-free survival stratified by median LAPW ablation density (31% vs. 27%, p=0.8) or median proportion of electrically-isolated LA surface area (31% vs. 27%, p=0.8%). Voltage map-guided LAPW isolation did not significantly decrease arrhythmia recurrence (29% vs. 28%, p=1). Conclusion: Neither the density of ablation within nor the dimensions of the LAPW isolated region predicted arrhythmia-free survival for catheter ablation of PEAF. Voltage map-guided LAPW isolation resulted in similar ablation efficacy regardless of LA scar burden.