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Long-term monitoring of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after pulsed field ablation using insertable cardiac monitor
  • +14
  • Wentao Li,
  • Xianjin Hu,
  • Fanghui Li,
  • Yao Tong,
  • AoBo Gong,
  • Ying Cao,
  • Zexi Li,
  • Wenzhai Cao,
  • Dayong Zhang,
  • Min Xu,
  • Xuechuan Dan,
  • Kui Li,
  • Rongzheng Yue,
  • Hongde Hu,
  • Hua Fu,
  • Rui Zeng,
  • Kaijun Cui
Wentao Li
Sichuan University West China Second University Hospital
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Xianjin Hu
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology
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Fanghui Li
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology
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Yao Tong
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology
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AoBo Gong
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology
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Ying Cao
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology
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Zexi Li
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology
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Wenzhai Cao
Zigong First People's Hospital
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Dayong Zhang
Sichuan Mianyang 404 Hospital
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Min Xu
Sichuan Mianyang 404 Hospital
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Xuechuan Dan
The Second People's Hospital of Yibin City
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Kui Li
The Second People's Hospital of Yibin City
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Rongzheng Yue
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Nephrology
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Hongde Hu
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology
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Hua Fu
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology
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Rui Zeng
Sichuan University West China Hospital Department of Cardiology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Kaijun Cui
Sichuan University West China Hospital
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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.