Background: We aimed to analyze the rate of visualization of real-time (RT) recordings and dual fascicle electrograms in our first series of patients treated with the fourth-generation cryoballoon (CB) device.
Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent CB ablation using the fourth-generation technology were included in the analysis. In all procedures, we used a 28-mm CB placed via a single transseptal puncture guided by intracardiac ultrasound. A 20-mm octapolar intraluminal circular catheter was used for intracardiac recordings. A single 180-s freeze strategy was employed.
Results: A total of 129 patients (72.9% male, mean age 60.1 ± 10.9 years) were enrolled in the study. RT recordings were detected in 445 (86.2%) pulmonary veins (PVs). Specifically, RT recordings were visualized in 115 left superior PVs (89.2%), 107 left inferior PVs (82.9%), 118 right superior PVs (91.4%), and 105 right inferior PVs (81.3%). Dual fascicle electrograms could be observed only in patients in sinus rhythm, in 23 of 396 PVs (5.8%). They were most commonly observed in the left superior PV (8.1%), somewhat less in both inferior veins (6.1%), while this phenomenon was least frequent in the right superior PV (3.0%).
Conclusions: By using the fourth-generation CB, we report a specific pattern of isolation represented by a sequential isolation of two apparently distinct PV fascicles during a single CB freeze delivery. This phenomenon occurred in 5.8% of PV ablations. Of note, the rate of visualization of RT isolation with this novel CB was very high and could be documented in 86.2% of PVs.
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Cryoballoon; Real-time recordings.
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