Published papers

Background: We investigated various serum inflammatory markers to predict ablation responders who have no atrial fibrillation (AF) relapse after the initial ablation. Methods: Forty-four consecutive AF patients (age: 59 ± 8 years, paroxysmal: 31, CHADS2: 1.1 ± 1.1) who underwent an initial pulmonary vein isolation were investigated. Various serum inflammatory markers, such as adiponectin, ANP, BNP, 1CTP, F1+2, hs-CRP, IL-6, intact P1NP, MDA-LDL, MMP-2, TGF-β, TIMP-2, and TNF-α, were evaluated prior to ablation. AF relapse was defined as AF documented in telemonitoring electrocardiograms twice a day during 9.7 ± 2.4 months of follow-up with three months of a blanking-period. Results: A total of 29 patients (paroxysmal: 21) maintained sinus rhythm after the initial catheter ablation. These ablation responders had significantly lower MMP-2 (Sinus vs. Relapsed: 748 ± 132.7 vs. 841.2 ± 152.4 ng/mL, P=0.042) and TNF-α (1.1 ± 0.4 vs. 1.8 ± 1.7 pg/mL, P=0.046) levels prior to ablation. A BNP-adjusted Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed that the independent predictive factor for AF recurrence was high MMP-2 levels (>766 ng/mL) accompanied by high TNF-α levels (>1.2 pg/mL). Conclusions: The levels of MMP-2 and TNF-α might be useful for predicting initial AF catheter ablation responders. © 2014 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ).

Background We performed contact force (CF) monitoring during pulmonary vein (PV) isolation to evaluate CF according to sheath type, catheter position, and inadequate ablation.Methods Thirty consecutive patients (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 23; CHADS2 score, 0.5 ± 0.7; age, 56 ± 10 years) who underwent PV isolation using a CF-sensing catheter were included. Data for operator-blinded CF, impedance, and duration of the "first touch" (first round of ablation in each PV) was collected. We compared the CF, maximum CF, force-time integral, average impedance, and impedance drop (Δ impedance) between different sheaths (Swartz™ vs. Agilis™) in 12 different catheter positions, and in inadequate first touches requiring additional ablation.Results A total of 1283 ablation points (Swartz™, 620 points; Agilis™, 663 points) were evaluated. The average CF was significantly higher in the Agilis™ group (17.8 ± 13.0 g) than the Swartz™ group (15.0 ± 12.4 g; P < 0.001), especially in the anterior, inferior-anterior, and inferior-posterior sections of the right PV, and the top of the roof, and calina of the left PV. The Δ impedance showed a mildly significant negative relationship with the average CF (r = - 0.206; P < 0.001) and with the force-time integral (r = - 0.279; P < 0.001). Compared to first touches, the average CF and Δ impedance were significantly smaller in inadequate first touches in the Swartz™ group, but not in the Agilis™ group.Conclusions CF for PV isolation was significantly different depending on the position of the catheter and the type of sheath.

Background We performed contact force (CF) monitoring during pulmonary vein (PV) isolation to evaluate CF according to sheath type, catheter position, and inadequate ablation.Methods Thirty consecutive patients (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 23; CHADS2 score, 0.5 ± 0.7; age, 56 ± 10 years) who underwent PV isolation using a CF-sensing catheter were included. Data for operator-blinded CF, impedance, and duration of the "first touch" (first round of ablation in each PV) was collected. We compared the CF, maximum CF, force-time integral, average impedance, and impedance drop (Δ impedance) between different sheaths (Swartz™ vs. Agilis™) in 12 different catheter positions, and in inadequate first touches requiring additional ablation.Results A total of 1283 ablation points (Swartz™, 620 points; Agilis™, 663 points) were evaluated. The average CF was significantly higher in the Agilis™ group (17.8 ± 13.0 g) than the Swartz™ group (15.0 ± 12.4 g; P < 0.001), especially in the anterior, inferior-anterior, and inferior-posterior sections of the right PV, and the top of the roof, and calina of the left PV. The Δ impedance showed a mildly significant negative relationship with the average CF (r = - 0.206; P < 0.001) and with the force-time integral (r = - 0.279; P < 0.001). Compared to first touches, the average CF and Δ impedance were significantly smaller in inadequate first touches in the Swartz™ group, but not in the Agilis™ group.Conclusions CF for PV isolation was significantly different depending on the position of the catheter and the type of sheath.

Background-Approaches for closing the left atrial appendage (LAA) have been developed for stroke prevention. However, the prevailing maneuvers require an open-chest surgery, intravascular access, or transseptal puncture. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of pericardial endoscopy-guided LAA ligation in a canine model. Methods and Results-We used a total of 8 canines and computed tomography was performed before the procedures. After a double percutaneous pericardiocentesis, a transurethral rigid endoscope was inserted into the pericardial space. The ENDOLOOP ligature was advanced to the ostium of the LAA by counter pulling the tip of the LAA with forceps. After confirming the positioning guided by transesophageal echocardiography, the ligature was securely tightened. Acute success was evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography and chronic success was evaluated by blood testing, computed tomography, and transesophageal echocardiography. The LAA ligation was safely achieved in all canines without major complications. One month after the ligation, the ligated LAA was replaced by fibrotic tissue, and both the transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomographic images revealed no residual shunt. There was only a localized adhesion of the pericardium, where the original LAA was located, without the need for antibiotic or steroid administration. The postprocedural internal surface of the ligated LAA was smooth by virtue of intimal growth. Blood tests showed a slight elevation of the inflammatory markers, but this normalized spontaneously. Conclusions-Pericardial endoscopy-guided LAA ligation could provide an alternative, minimally invasive, and feasible solution for LAA closure that does not require vascular access or a transseptal puncture.

Background-Approaches for closing the left atrial appendage (LAA) have been developed for stroke prevention. However, the prevailing maneuvers require an open-chest surgery, intravascular access, or transseptal puncture. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of pericardial endoscopy-guided LAA ligation in a canine model. Methods and Results-We used a total of 8 canines and computed tomography was performed before the procedures. After a double percutaneous pericardiocentesis, a transurethral rigid endoscope was inserted into the pericardial space. The ENDOLOOP ligature was advanced to the ostium of the LAA by counter pulling the tip of the LAA with forceps. After confirming the positioning guided by transesophageal echocardiography, the ligature was securely tightened. Acute success was evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography and chronic success was evaluated by blood testing, computed tomography, and transesophageal echocardiography. The LAA ligation was safely achieved in all canines without major complications. One month after the ligation, the ligated LAA was replaced by fibrotic tissue, and both the transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomographic images revealed no residual shunt. There was only a localized adhesion of the pericardium, where the original LAA was located, without the need for antibiotic or steroid administration. The postprocedural internal surface of the ligated LAA was smooth by virtue of intimal growth. Blood tests showed a slight elevation of the inflammatory markers, but this normalized spontaneously. Conclusions-Pericardial endoscopy-guided LAA ligation could provide an alternative, minimally invasive, and feasible solution for LAA closure that does not require vascular access or a transseptal puncture.