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Pulmonary veins anatomical determinants of cooling kinetics during second‐generation cryoballoon ablation
Author(s) -
Borio Gianluca,
Maj Riccardo,
Alessandro Rizzo,
Stroker Erwin,
Sieira Juan,
Osorio Thiago G.,
Galli Alessio,
Terasawa Muryo,
Bala Gezim,
Al Housari Maysam,
Paparella Gaetano,
Iacopino Saverio,
Overeinder Ingrid,
Brugada Pedro,
Asmundis Carlo,
Chierchia Gian B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/jce.14356
Subject(s) - medicine , ablation , pulmonary vein , nuclear medicine , atrial fibrillation , trunk , radiofrequency ablation , cardiology , ecology , biology
Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the role of anatomical characteristics of the pulmonary veins (PVs) determining cooling kinetics during second‐generation cryoballoon ablation (CbA). Methods and Results we enrolled all consecutive patients who underwent CbA for symptomatic atrial fibrillation in our center from January 2019 to March 2019. All patients had complete computed tomography scans of the heart before the ablation. Anatomical characteristics were tested for prediction of a nadir temperature (NT) ≤ −48°C. Significant differences were noted among PV max diameter (20.8 ± 2.8 vs 18.5 ± 2.5 mm; P < .001); PV minimum diameter (15.2 ± 3.0 vs 13.0 ± 3.1 mm; P < .001); PV area (268.1 ± 71.9 vs 206.2 ± 58.7 mm 2 ; P < .001); PV ovality (1.4 ± 0.3 vs 1.5 ± 0.3; P = .005); and PV trunk length (27.4 ± 7.4 vs 21.3 ± 6.5 mm; P < .001). A scoring system was created by assigning one point each ranging from 0 (best anatomical combination) to 5. In the group with a score of 0, 94.0% of the CbA could reach a NT ≤ −48°C whereas with a score of 5, only 29.0% ( P < .001). Left superior pulmonary vein with short trunk length and acute angle of PV branch was significantly associated with warmer NT (11.8% satisfactory CbA; P = .003). Regarding right inferior pulmonary vein, trunk length ( P = .004), maximum diameter ( P = .044), and transverse angle ( P = .008) were independently associated with good NT. Conclusion Anatomical PV features are associated with cooling kinetics and an anatomical score could predict lower NT during second‐generation CbA. Specific characteristics were identified for inferior PV. Although heart imaging is not mandatory prior CbA, it can be a useful tool to predict cooling kinetics.