Ablation Index-Guided High-Power Radiofrequency Application Shortens the Procedure Time With Similar Outcomes to Conventional Power Application in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Abstract

Background: The impact of high-power radiofrequency (RF) application in ablation index (AI)-guided atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has not been elucidated. Methods and Results: We investigated 1,333 patients undergoing first AF ablation (median age 68 years; interquartile range [IQR] 61-73 years). The first 301 patients underwent AI-guided conventional power RF application (CP group), whereas the following 1,032 patients underwent high-power RF application (HP group). The minimum AI target values were 400, 360, and 260 at the left atrial anterior wall, posterior wall, and esophagus, respectively. RF power in the CP group was 30-40, 20-25, and 20 W at the anterior wall, posterior wall, and esophagus, respectively, compared with 50, 40, and 25, respectively, in the HP group. Procedure time was shorter in the HP than CP group (median 153 [IQR 129-190] vs. 180 (IQR 152-229) min; P<0.0001). The percentage of first-pass pulmonary vein isolation (69% vs. 73%; P=0.07) and all procedure-related complications (2.0% vs. 3.4%; P=0.19) was similar. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed similar recurrence-free survival (RFS) for all AF types. Respective 1-year RFS in the CP and HP groups was 82% and 87% in paroxysmal AF, 78% and 82% in persistent AF, and 59% and 58% in long-standing persistent AF. Conclusions: In AI-guided AF ablation, high-power RF application shortens the procedure time without increasing complications and with similar outcomes.

Keywords: Ablation index; Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; High-power radiofrequency application; Pulmonary vein isolation.