Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), has been an essential component of Radiofrequency (RF) ablations for AF given its association with decreased fluoroscopy time and complication rates, and therefore it is logical that this can be applied to CTI ablations for AFL as well. There are however no studies to date that directly focused on the benefits of adding ICE during CTI dependent AFL ablation. Currently it is not required that operators use ICE in every case of AFL ablation. Investigators intended to study the routine use of ICE in such cases and to see if there is a significant benefit in routine use of ICE.
Atrial flutter (AFL) is a re-entrant tachyarrhythmia that involves the atria that leads to both rapid ventricular rates as well as a loss of effective contractility of the atrial making them vulnerable to formation of thrombi similar to atrial fibrillation (AF). Incidence rates ranges between 5/100,000 in those \<50 years old to 587/100,000 in subjects older than 80. AFL often coexists or precedes AF. In a longitudinal study, 56% of patients with lone AFL eventually developed AF. A variety of atrial flutters have been described apart from the classic cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) dependent flutters. These include left atrial flutters and scar based reentry flutters. Atrial flutter is often a persistent rhythm that requires electrical cardioversion or radiofrequency catheter ablation for termination. While AFL may recur after cardioversion with or without antiarrhythmic therapy, ablation offers a more curative approach for this rather intolerant arrhythmia. 3D electroanatomical mapping in combination with fluoroscopy has been traditionally used in conventional CTI ablation for AFL. However, there are instances when ablation of the CTI is challenging as a result of various factors including a thick Eustachian ridge, presence of a sub-Eustachian pouch, or prominent pectinate muscles. Isthmus anatomy has been shown to affect the parameters of ablation procedure. 3D mapping to overcome difficult anatomy may not be the answer for difficult situations as shown by some operators . These anatomical challenges can not only lengthen procedural times but also lead to increased risk of complications such as perforation, effusion, or cardiac tamponade. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), has been an essential component of Radiofrequency (RF) ablations for AF given its association with decreased fluoroscopy time and complication rates, and therefore it is logical that this can be applied to CTI ablations for AFL as well. There are however no studies to date that directly focused on the benefits of adding ICE during CTI dependent AFL ablation. Currently it is not required that operators use ICE in every case of AFL ablation. Investigators intend to study the routine use of ICE in such cases and to see if there is a significant benefit in routine use of ICE.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
3D electroanatomical mapping in combination with fluoroscopy has been traditionally used in conventional CTI ablation for AFL.
ICE imaging catheter is typically introduced through an 11-F hemostatic sheath and positioned under fluoroscopic guidance in the right atrium. After catheter coupling to the imaging platform, imaging frequency is optimized by the operator using adjunctive gain, depth, and focal length controls to define anatomic structures and minimize noise. Imaging is performed at different levels in the right atrium, if needed. Imaging targets included the right atrium, coronary sinus orifice, fossa ovalis, interatrial septum (IAS), tricuspid valve, left atrium, left atrial appendage, orifice of all pulmonary veins, mitral valve, papillary muscles, aortic and pulmonary valve leaflets, right ventricle, RVOT, pericardial space, esophagus, aorta and adjoining left ventricular and right ventricular myocardium.
Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute
Overland Park, Kansas, United States
Midwest Heart and Vascular Specialists
Overland Park, Kansas, United States
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Overland Park, Kansas, United States
Procedural duration, fluoroscopy time, and RF time assessment
To assess the procedural duration, fluoroscopy time, and RF time of patients undergoing CTI dependent flutter ablation using ICE catheter along with 3D anatomical plus fluoroscopy imaging guidance compared to the same parameters in patients undergoing CTI dependent flutter ablation using only 3D anatomical plus fluoroscopy imaging guidance alone.
Time frame: These are all intraprocedural characteristics
Post procedural complications
To assess the incidence of post procedural complications such as incidence of perforation, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and pericarditis.
Time frame: Post-operative Day#0-7
Procedural success - Number of patients with bidirectional block (entrance block and exit block) at the end of the procedure.
To assess the procedural success of ablation procedures in terms of achieving bidirectional block.
Time frame: End of procedure marker of success
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