Laser balloon ablation in patients with a left common pulmonary vein.
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with a balloon-based visually
guided laser ablation (VGLA) is regarded as a useful therapeutic tool
for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). The clinical efficacy of a VGLA
has never been fully investigated in patients with a left common
pulmonary vein (LCPV). Objective: We investigated the procedural safety
as well as clinical usefulness of VGLA in patients with an LCPV.
Methods: This study consisted of 130 consecutive patients who underwent
VGLA of de novo non-valvular paroxysmal AF. Results: Eleven patients
(8.5%) had an LCPV (ostium maximal average diameter: 27.5 ± 4.9 mm,
ostium minimal average diameter: 17.7 ± 3.5 mm). Nine out of 11 (81.8%)
LCPVs were successfully occluded and isolated at the ostium with a VGLA
guided PVI. The ablation procedure time was significantly shorter in the
patients with than without an LCPV (61.5 ± 15.4 vs. 86.9 ± 32.9 min, p =
0.01). There was no difference regarding the atrial tachyarrhythmia
recurrence between those with and without an LCPV (p = 0.18). A total of
fifteen patients underwent a redo procedure, but reconnections were not
observed in any of the LCPV patients. Conclusion: The VGLA guided PVI
was a useful therapeutic tool even in patients with an LCPV. The
presence of an LCPV was not associated with any atrial tachyarrhythmia
recurrence.