This is a clinical study where the investigators will assess the efficacy of a single cryoballoon application per vein guided by a multipolar recording catheter as compared with a conventional technique with 2 cryoballoon applications for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
This is a prospective, randomized clinical study performed at one centre. The objective is to assess the efficacy of a single cryoballoon application per vein guided by a multipolar recording catheter as compared with a conventional technique with 2 cryoballoon applications for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). 140 subjects with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation referred for their first AF ablation procedures will be enrolled. Recruitment, ablation and follow-up will be performed at Dep of Cardiology in Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Study duration is 2 years with 12--months enrolment period and 1 year follow-up per subject. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) will be performed using the Arctic Front Advance cryoballoon ablation catheter. Patients will be randomized to a single cryoballoon application guided by a multipolar recording catheter or to a conventional technique with 2 cryoballoon applications. After cryoballoon ablation of all pulmonary veins, PV conduction block will be assessed by a separate circular mapping catheter. Acute procedural success is defined as complete electrical isolation of a pulmonary vein assessed by entrance and exit block, including 20 minutes waiting time. Complications and duration of the procedure will be assessed. Patients will be followed at three, six and 12 months after the ablation procedure. A 12 lead ECG, a 7 day Holter monitoring, quality of life (EQ5D) and EHRA score, will be performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. as well as Biomarkers including nTproBNP and troponin I, will be performed at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months (only nTproBNP). Predictive variables for successful outcome/AF recurrence will be analysed. The frequency of symptomatic recurrence of AF and number of reablations will be compared at 6 and 12 months, and in those requiring a redo ablation procedure the status of PV reconduction will be assessed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
140
Pulmonary vein isolation by single cryoballoon application guided by recorded electrogram signals from an internal Mapping Catheter and by temperature drop if mapping of signals is not possible (temperature cutoff \< or = -40 degrees C)
Pulmonary vein isolation by 2 cryoballoon applications guided by degree of occlusion and by temperature drop according to discretion of physician
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital in Uppsala
Uppsala, Sweden
Frequency of acute pulmonary vein isolation after first ablation.
Frequency of complete pulmonary vein isolation after first pass of ablation as per protocol
Time frame: Acute during ablation procedure
Procedure time
Procedure time of AF ablation (from initial puncture to removal of sheaths)
Time frame: During ablation procedure
Fluoroscopy exposure
Total time of fluoroscopy for AF ablation
Time frame: During ablation procedure
Freedom from atrial fibrillation
No atrial fibrillation after first ablation
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Adverse/Serious Adverse events
Complications during and after ablation
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Quality of Life after ablation
Quality of life assessed by EQ5D after ablation compared to baseline
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Reduction of symptom severity score after ablation
Symptoms Severity Questionnaire, score reduction after ablation
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Reduction of overall symptoms of atrial fibrillation after ablation
Symptom assessed by EHRA Symptom Classification score reduction after ablation
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
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Cost of ablation procedure
Assessed by time for procedure, used resources and equipment during/after ablation
Time frame: Evaluated after initial ablation (within 24 h after ablation)
Quality of life after ablation (measured as EQ5D score)
EQ5D measured before ablation and after 12 months
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Hospitalisation after ablation
hospitalisation (no of days)
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Maximum troponin I (ng/L) levels after ablation as a predictor of clinical success
Maximum troponin I (ng/L) levels as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Nt-proBNP levels before ablation as a predictor of clinical success
Nt-proBNP levels as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Left atrial diameter (mm) before ablation as a predictor of clinical success
Left atrial diameter in mm (LAX view) as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Left atrial volume (ml/m2) before ablation as a predictor of clinical success
Left atrial volume (ml/m2) as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Age (years) as a predictor of clinical success
Age at ablation (years) as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months; 2 groups; \< 70 and \>70 years old
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Sex as a predictor of clinical success
Sex as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months. 2 groups; male vs females
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
CHADsVASc score as a predictor of clinical success
CHADsVASc score as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
BMI (kg/m2) as a predictor of clinical success
BMI (kg/m2) as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months
Atrial conduction time as a predictor of clinical success
Mean conduction time over left atrium as a predictor of freedom from AF after 12 months
Time frame: Evaluated after 12 months