Long-Term Outcomes of Cardioneuroablation with and without Extra-Cardiac
Vagal Stimulation Confirmation in Severe Cardioinhibitory
Neurocardiogenic Syncope
Abstract
Background Cardioneuroablation (CNA) is a novel therapeutic
approach for functional bradyarrhythmias, specifically neurocardiogenic
syncope or atrial fibrillation, achieved through endocardial
radiofrequency catheter ablation of vagal innervation, obviating the
need for pacemaker implantation. Originating in the nineties, the first
series of CNA procedures was published in 2005. Extra-cardiac vagal
stimulation (ECVS) is employed as a direct method for stepwise
denervation control during CNA. Objective This study aimed to
compare the long-term follow-up outcomes of patients with severe
cardioinhibitory syncope undergoing CNA with and without denervation
confirmation via ECVS. Method A cohort of 48 patients,
predominantly female (56.3%), suffering from recurrent syncope (5.1±2.5
episodes annually) that remained unresponsive to clinical and
pharmacological interventions, underwent CNA, divided into two groups:
ECVS and NoECVS, consisting of 34 and 14 cases, respectively. ECVS
procedures were conducted with and without atrial pacing.
Results Demographic characteristics, left atrial size, and
ejection fraction displayed no statistically significant differences
between the groups. Follow-up duration was comparable, with 29.1 ± 15
months for the ECVS group and 31.9±20 months for the NoECVS group
(p=0.24). Notably, syncope recurrence was significantly lower in the
ECVS group (2 cases vs. 4 cases, Log Rank p=0.04). Moreover, the Hazard
ratio revealed a five-fold higher risk of syncope recurrence in the
NoECVS group. Conclusion This study demonstrates that
concluding CNA with denervation confirmation via ECVS yields a higher
success rate and a substantially reduced risk of syncope recurrence
compared to procedures without ECVS confirmation.