Single, remote-magnetic catheter approach for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a single, remote-magnetic catheter navigation system (MNS) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).MethodsA total of 107 PVI procedures in 71 patients with paroxysmal (32%), persistent (38%) and longstanding-persistent (30%) atrial fibrillation (AF) were analyzed. A wide area circumferential radiofrequency ablation PVI was performed with either an 8 mm MNS (first 35 procedures) or an irrigated MNS (last 36 procedures) catheter. Electrical isolation was confirmed with circular pacing/sensing using the MNS catheter and a coronary sinus catheter. Our follow-up strategy in the first year and upon symptoms thereafter was: clinical check plus 12-lead ECG (100%) and 24 h-ECG recordings (76%) at 3 month intervals, trans-telephonic ECG (79%) twice daily and upon symptoms (4 weeks every 3 months), or ECG monitoring via implanted devices (9%).ResultsThe mean procedure time at 1st PVI was 247 ± 61 min, and mean fluoroscopy time was 44 ± 18 min. The overall complication rate was 2%. Success rates did not differ at the 1st PVI regarding catheter type (p = 0.931) but were dependent on history of AF: patients with paroxysmal AF had the highest success rates of 58% and 29% after 1 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively (p = 0.0084).ConclusionPVI with a single MNS catheter is safe and is associated with short fluoroscopy exposition. Despite a rigorous follow-up strategy success rates favorably compare with recently published data on hand-held PVI. Thus, multipolar catheters or a 2nd trans-septal puncture may not be mandatory.