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Use of contact-force sensing radiofrequency ablation catheters for stepwise linear ablation of non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation does not improve outcomes [Meeting Abstract]
Knotts, R J; Bookstall, K E; Torbey, E; Bernstein, S A; Park, D S; Fowler, S J; Holmes, D; Aizer, A; Barbhaiya, C R; Chinitz, L A
Introduction: Large clinical trials have recently demonstrated stepwise linear ablation for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (NPAF) to be inferior to pulmonary vein isolation alone. It is unknown whether the unfavorable outcomes observed in these trials can be attributed to the pro-arrhythmic effects of incomplete ablation lines. We hypothesized that improved lesion quality related to use of contact-force sensing (CFS) ablation catheters would improve procedural outcomes. Methods: We prospectively analyzed procedural outcomes of 74 consecutive patients with NPAF undergoing first-time radiofrequency catheter ablation with a CFS catheter (Smart Touch, Biosense Webster) using a step-wise approach (Group 1). The clinical outcomes of these patients were compared with 74 consecutive patients with NPAF who underwent catheter ablation between September 2013 and June 2014 with a non-contact force sense radiofrequency ablation catheter (Group 2) at a single tertiary care medical center. Arrhythmia recurrence was assessed using 2-week event monitors at 3-month intervals following index ablation. Results: Baseline characteristics of Group 1 and Group 2 were similar, although in Group 1 there was a greater prevalence of patients with persistent NPAF lasting for 6-months or longer prior to initial ablation (43% vs 21%, p=0.071). The recurrence rate at 1 year as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method was not significantly different between Group 1 and Group 2 (25.7% vs 29.7%, p=0.582). The presenting recurrent arrhythmia was most frequently atrial tachycardia (AT) in both groups (Group 1: n=19, AT 68.4% and AF 31.6% vs Group 2: n=22, AT 59.1% and AF 40.9%). A similar proportion of patients in both groups underwent repeat ablation (Group 1: 17.6% vs Group 2: 13.5%, p=0.496). Conclusions: Utilization of a CFS ablation catheter was not associated with improved clinical outcomes for stepwise catheter ablation for NPAF. The optimal strategy for NPAF ablation using a contact-force sensing catheter remains undefined
EMBASE:72283716
ISSN: 1556-3871
CID: 2150972
Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation for organization of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF): A randomized controlled trial [Meeting Abstract]
Aizer, A; Wu, P B; Holmes, D; Fowler, S J; Bernstein, S A; Park, D S; Barbhaiya, C R; Chinitz, L A
Introduction: LA ablation for persistent AF that achieves organization to atrial tachycardia (AT) or sinus rhythm (SR) predicts greater long term ablation success. However, extensive LA ablation increases the risks of recurrent AT, adverse atrial remodeling and procedural complications. Preclinical and observational studies suggest that right atrial ablation may reduce AF risk. We hypothesized that CTI ablation may reduce the extent of LA ablation required to achieve organization of persistent AF. Methods: Persistent AF patients (n=107) were randomized to two arms (CTI-first or CTI-last) in a single center, prospective, single blind study. Excluding the CTI ablation, stepwise linear LA ablation was performed in a prespecified order. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who organized to AT or SR. The secondary endpoint was number of steps to organization. Results: CTI ablation first versus last during AF ablation did not significantly alter the percentage of patients who organized (Table). Among those who organized, the number of steps to organization did not differ between the two arms. No significant differences were found when patients were stratified by LA size or AF duration. Conclusions: CTI ablation does not alter the extent of LA ablation needed to achieve organization of AF. The utility of right atrial ablation for persistent AF ablation remains unclear. (Table presented)
EMBASE:72283298
ISSN: 1556-3871
CID: 2150982
Resumption of AVN conduction in post-TAVR patients who receive PPM [Meeting Abstract]
Subnani, K; Love, C J; Holmes, D; Aizer, A; Fowler, S J; Bernstein, S A; Park, D S; Barbhaiya, C R; Chinitz, L A
Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is becoming a widely accepted alternative treatment for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis who are at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. A common complication of the procedure is the development of conduction defects requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. It has been noted that in some patients, the conduction block is not permanent. Determine the incidence and predictors of resuming intrinsic conduction in patients that receive PPM implantation after TAVR. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing TAVR at New York University Langone Medical Center was undertaken. Extracted data included patient demographics, pre-TAVR electrocardiogram, procedural, echocardiographic, catheterization, and device interrogation data. Evaluation of device interrogations done at one month follow-up or earlier to look for resumption of intrinsic conduction. Results: There were a total number of 451 patients who were status-post TAVR in our registry at NYU. Of the 451, 45 patients received a permanent pacemaker placement for complete heart block; 9.9% 45/451. The majority of patients were implanted within 48hrs post TAVR. Device follow-up information at 1 month or earlier was available for 33 of the 45 patients who received PPM. 5 patients who were recently implanted are still pending follow-up. 3 patients expired after implantation and 4 were lost to follow-up. Of the 33 patients, 14 (42%) patients had resumption of AV nodal conduction at 1 month follow-up. 19 patients (57%) remained dependent. Conclusions: 42% of patients who received a permanent pacemaker for complete heart block after TAVR had resumption of conduction. This suggests that many patients may not require long term PPM post TAVR. Patients that remained dependent had a higher incidence of preexisting RBBB and LAFB, however a lack thereof does not preclude an increased risk. These data suggest that waiting longer than 48 hours for resumption of AV nodal conduction would avoid unnecessary implantation in patients who develop complete heart block post TAVR
EMBASE:72283155
ISSN: 1556-3871
CID: 2150992
Global Survey of Esophageal Injury in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Characteristics and Outcomes of Esophageal Perforation and Fistula
Barbhaiya, Chirag R; Kumar, Saurabh; Guo, Yu; Zhong, Judy; John, Roy M; Tedrow, Usha B; Koplan, Bruce A; Epstein, Laurence M; Stevenson, William G; Michaud, Gregory F
OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:This study sought to assess the incidence, operator demographics, clinical characteristics, procedural factors, and prognosis of esophageal perforation and fistula after atrial fibrillation ablation. BACKGROUND:Esophageal injury is a feared complication of atrial fibrillation ablation. METHODS:An Internet-based global survey soliciting anonymous information regarding esophageal perforation and fistula was emailed to 3,080 physicians. Detailed information regarding physician, patient, and procedural characteristics related to esophageal perforation with or without fistula was collected. RESULTS:; p = 0.03), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (55.1 ± 9.1% vs. 61.7 ± 5.4%; p = 0.04). Among analyzed patients, atrial-esophageal fistula was seen in 72%, pericardial-esophageal fistula in 14%, and esophageal perforation without fistula in 14%. Mortality was 79% with atrial-esophageal fistula and 13% in esophageal perforation without atrial-esophageal fistula. CONCLUSIONS:Esophageal perforation is rare but continues to occur with multiple catheter types despite esophageal monitoring during ablation. The prognosis of esophageal perforation is substantially improved if diagnosed and treated before development of atrial-esophageal fistula. An early surgical approach to esophageal perforation should be strongly considered regardless of evidence of fistula.
PMID: 29766863
ISSN: 2405-5018
CID: 3121082
Electrophysiologic assessment of conduction abnormalities and atrial arrhythmias associated with amyloid cardiomyopathy
Barbhaiya, Chirag R; Kumar, Saurabh; Baldinger, Samuel H; Michaud, Gregory F; Stevenson, William G; Falk, Rodney; John, Roy M
BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias in cardiac amyloidosis (CA) result in significant comorbidity and mortality but have not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define intracardiac conduction, atrial arrhythmia substrate, and ablation outcomes in a group of advanced CA patients referred for electrophysiologic study. METHODS: Electrophysiologic study with or without catheter ablation was performed in 18 CA patients. Findings and catheter ablation outcomes were compared to age- and gender-matched non-CA patients undergoing catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). RESULTS: Supraventricular tachycardias were seen in all 18 CA patients (1 AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, 17 persistent atrial tachycardia [AT]/AF). The HV interval was prolonged (>55 ms) in all CA patients, including 6 with normal QRS duration (=100 ms). Thirteen supraventricular tachycardia ablations were performed in 11 patients. Of these, 7 underwent left atrial (LA) mapping and ablation for persistent AT/AF. Compared to non-CA age-matched comparator AF patients, CA patients had more extensive areas of low-voltage areas LA (63% +/- 22% vs 34% +/- 22%, P = .009) and a greater number of inducible ATs (3.3 +/- 1.9 ATs vs 0.2 +/- 0.4 ATs, P <.001). The recurrence rate for AT/AF 1 year after ablation was greater in CA patients (83% vs 25%), and the hazard ratio for postablation AT/AF recurrence in CA patients was 5.4 (95% confidence interval 1.9-35.5, P = .007). CONCLUSION: In this group of patients with advanced CA and atrial arrhythmias, there was extensive conduction system disease and LA endocardial voltage abnormality. Catheter ablation persistent AT/AF in advanced CA was associated with a high recurrence rate and appears to have a limited role in control of these arrhythmias.
PMID: 26400855
ISSN: 1556-3871
CID: 1927202
The Timing and Frequency of Pulmonary Veins Unexcitability Relative to Completion of a Wide Area Circumferential Ablation Line for Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Baldinger, Samuel H; Kumar, Saurabh; Barbhaiya, Chirag R; Nagashima, Koichi; Epstein, Laurence M; John, Roy; Tedrow, Usha B; Stevenson, William G; Michaud, Gregory F
OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:This study sought to assess loss of pulmonary vein (PV) excitability to pacing relative to the development of entrance block and the anatomic completion of the circumferential radiofrequency ablation (RFA) line. BACKGROUND:During encircling RFA for PV isolation (PVI), entrance block develops before anatomic completion of encirclement (early) in some patients. We hypothesized that early entrance block may be associated with loss of PV excitability to pacing. METHODS:In 30 patients undergoing PV isolation (age 61 ± 10 years, 21 men), excitability to pacing was assessed at predefined PV sites when entrance block developed and after completion of the RFA line. RESULTS:Of 60 PV pairs, 37 developed entrance block early, with a gap ≥10 mm in the RFA line. In only 35% of PV pairs in this subgroup, both PV sleeves captured, and all of the capturing PV pairs showed exit block (no conduction from PV to atrium) despite the presence of an excitable gap. In the remaining 23 PV pairs, entrance block did not occur until encircling RFA was anatomically complete. In 83% of these PV pairs, both sleeves captured with exit block (p < 0.001 compared with early block PVs). CONCLUSIONS:The majority of PV pairs develops entrance and exit block before complete anatomic encircling by RFA lesions. Early entrance block is frequently associated with loss of PV sleeve excitability, consistent with a spreading wave of injury or edema rather than a permanent conduction barrier. This may help to explain the significant rate of PV conduction recovery associated with the acute endpoints of entrance and exit block.
PMID: 29766848
ISSN: 2405-5018
CID: 3234732
Epicardial Radiofrequency Ablation Failure During Ablation Procedures for Ventricular Arrhythmias: Reasons and Implications for Outcomes
Baldinger, Samuel H; Kumar, Saurabh; Barbhaiya, Chirag R; Mahida, Saagar; Epstein, Laurence M; Michaud, Gregory F; John, Roy; Tedrow, Usha B; Stevenson, William G
BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) from the epicardial space for ventricular arrhythmias is limited or impossible in some cases. Reasons for epicardial ablation failure and the effect on outcome have not been systematically analyzed. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed reasons for epicardial RFA failure relative to the anatomic target area and the type of heart disease and assessed the effect of failed epicardial RFA on outcome after ablation procedures for ventricular arrhythmias in a large single-center cohort. Epicardial access was attempted during 309 ablation procedures in 277 patients and was achieved in 291 procedures (94%). Unlimited ablation in an identified target region could be performed in 181 cases (59%), limited ablation was possible in 22 cases (7%), and epicardial ablation was deemed not feasible in 88 cases (28%). Reasons for failed or limited ablation were unsuccessful epicardial access (6%), failure to identify an epicardial target (15%), proximity to a coronary artery (13%), proximity to the phrenic nerve (6%), and complications (<1%). Epicardial RFA was impeded in the majority of cases targeting the left ventricular summit region. Acute complications occurred in 9%. The risk for acute ablation failure was 8.3x higher (4.5-15.0; P<0.001) after no or limited epicardial RFA compared with unlimited RFA, and patients with unlimited epicardial RFA had better recurrence-free survival rates (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Epicardial RFA for ventricular arrhythmias is often limited even when pericardial access is successful. Variability of success is dependent on the target area, and the presence of factors limiting ablation is associated with worse outcomes.
PMID: 26527625
ISSN: 1941-3084
CID: 2039692
Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Electrogram Analysis and Pacing Are Complimentary for Recognition of Abnormal Conduction and Far-Field Potentials During Substrate Mapping of Infarct-Related Ventricular Tachycardia" [Letter]
Baldinger, Samuel H; Nagashima, Koichi; Kumar, Saurabh; Barbhaiya, Chirag R; Choi, Eue-Keun; Epstein, Laurence M; Michaud, Gregory F; John, Roy; Tedrow, Usha B; Stevenson, William G
PMID: 26671941
ISSN: 1941-3084
CID: 2041622
Better outcome of ablation for sustained outflow-tract ventricular tachycardia when tachycardia is inducible
Choi, Eue-Keun; Kumar, Saurabh; Nagashima, Koichi; Lin, Kaity Y; Barbhaiya, Chirag R; Chinitz, Jason S; Enriquez, Alan D; Helmbold, Alan F; Baldinger, Samuel H; Tedrow, Usha B; Koplan, Bruce A; Michaud, Gregory F; John, Roy M; Epstein, Laurence M; Stevenson, William G
AIMS: In patients presenting with spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) from the outflow-tract region without overt structural heart disease ablation may target premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) when VT is not inducible. We aimed to determine whether inducibility of VT affects ablation outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 54 patients (31 men; age, 52 +/- 13 years) without overt structural heart disease who underwent catheter ablation for symptomatic sustained VT originating from the right- or left-ventricular outflow region, including the great vessels. A single morphology of sustained VT was inducible in 18 (33%, SM group) patients, and 11 (20%) had multiple VT morphologies (MM group). VT was not inducible in 25 (46%) patients (VTni group). After ablation, VT was inducible in none of the SM group and in two (17%) patients in the MM group. In the VTni group, ablation targeted PVCs and 12 (48%) patients had some remaining PVCs after ablation. During follow-up (21 +/- 19 months), VT recurred in 46% of VTni group, 40% of MM inducible group, and 6% of the SM inducible group (P = 0.004). Analysis of PVC morphology in the VTi group further supported the limitations of targeting PVCs in this population. CONCLUSION: Absence of inducible VT and multiple VT morphologies are not uncommon in patients with documented sustained outflow-tract VT without overt structural heart disease. Inducible VT is associated with better outcomes, suggesting that attempts to induce VT to guide ablation are important in this population.
PMID: 25840288
ISSN: 1532-2092
CID: 1570572
Better Lesion Creation And Assessment During Catheter Ablation
Kumar, Saurabh; Barbhaiya, Chirag R; Balindger, Samuel; John, Roy M; Epstein, Laurence M; Koplan, Bruce A; Tedrow, Usha B; Stevenson, William G; Michaud, Gregory F
Permanent destruction of abnormal cardiac tissue responsible for cardiac arrhythmogenesis whilst avoiding collateral tissue injury forms the cornerstone of catheter ablation therapy. As the acceptance and performance of catheter ablation increases worldwide, limitations in current technology are becoming increasingly apparent in the treatment of complex arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. This review will discuss the role of new technologies aimed to improve lesion formation with the ultimate goal of improving arrhythmia-free survival of patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial arrhythmias.
PMCID:4955884
PMID: 27957200
ISSN: 1941-6911
CID: 3095292