Clinical Impact of Adaptive Servo-Ventilation on the Left Atrial
Pressure during Catheter Ablation in Sedated Patients with Atrial
Fibrillation
Abstract
Introduction Sedation during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of atrial
fibrillation often provokes a decline in left atrial (LA) pressure (LAP)
under atmospheric pressure and increases the risk of systemic air
embolisms. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of adaptive
servo-ventilation (ASV) on the LAP in sedated patients. Methods and
Results Fifty-one consecutive patients undergoing cryoballoon PVI were
enrolled. All patients underwent sedation using propofol throughout the
procedure. Sedation status was monitored by the bispectral index. After
the transseptal puncture and inserting the long sheath into the LA, the
LAP was measured via the sheath. Then, the ASV treatment was started,
and the LAP was re-measured. The LAP before and after the ASV support
was investigated. Before the ASV, the LAP during inspiratory phase was
significantly smaller than that during expiratory phase (4.9±5.4 mmHg
vs. 14.0±5.2 mmHg, p<0.01). The lowest LAP was -2.2±5.1 mmHg
and was under 0 mmHg in 37 (73%) patients. After the ASV, the LAP
during inspiratory phase significantly increased to 8.9±4.1 mmHg
(p<0.01), and lowest LAP to 4.7±5.9 mmHg (p<0.01).
The negative lowest LAP value became positive in 30/37(81%) patients.
There were no statistical differences regarding obstructive sleep apnea
(OSA), obesity, gender, or other comorbidities between patients with and
without a negative lowest LAP after the ASV support. Conclusion ASV is
effective for increasing the LAP above 0 mmHg and might prevent air
embolisms during PVI. A negative LAP after the ASV was rare but occurred
in patients even without comorbidities such as OSA and obesity