Long-term monitoring of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation
after pulsed field ablation using insertable cardiac monitor
Abstract
Introduction: Most studies have followed patients with
persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) using 12-lead or 24-hour Holter
electrocardiography, but this may overestimate the effectiveness of
pulsed field ablation (PFA) in the treatment of PeAF. This study aimed
to investigate the feasibility of PFA in patients with PeAF and
follow-up using insertable cardiac monitoring (ICM) that can provide
information on the actual status of atrial arrhythmia (AA) recurrence
and AA duration after PFA. Methods and Results: We
prospectively enrolled 49 patients with PeAF who underwent PFA strategy
comprising superior vena cava isolation, pulmonary vein isolation, and
posterior wall box isolation between December 2022 and January 2024.
Acute electrical isolation rate was 100%. After median follow-up of
12.1 months, 29 patients (59.18%) had zero AA burden. Kaplan–Meier
analysis show that the freedom from recurrence increased with arrhythmia
duration thresholds, from 63.27% to 83.67% (duration >48 h vs.
duration <2 min, P=0.040). Quality of life scores were significantly
improved after PFA (6 months to baseline, P<0.001). Regression
analysis revealed that larger low voltage areas in left atrium were
associated with increased risk of AA recurrence (P= 0.046). Safety
events occurred in two patients (one transient ischemic attack and one
pseudoaneurysm). Conclusion: PFA is an effective modality for
the treatment of patients with PeAF. With different arrhythmia duration
thresholds, the rate of freedom from AA is quite different.