Superior Vena Cava Isolation Plus Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has limited success. The superior vena cava (SVC) has been identified as one of the most common non-pulmonary vein triggers for PAF. It is estimated that SVC isolation (SVCI) could improve the clinical results of patients with PAF. However, results from previous studies about SVCI remain controversial. Safety concerns for SVCI may outweigh its benefits and lead to inadequate ablation. To address this issue, the introduction of a quantitative ablation index (AI) for SVCI may provide a solution. Therefore, the investigators sought to initiate a retrospective, multi-center study, to explore the efficacy and safety of quantitative SVCI in addition to PVI in PAF.

Catheter ablation has emerged as an effective treatment for drug-refractory PAF and is recommended as first-line therapy by current guidelines. PVI is considered the cornerstone of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, despite persistent PVI, a subgroup of patients may experience recurrent AF due to focal ectopic discharges originating outside the pulmonary veins. Among the non-pulmonary vein triggers, the SVC stands out as a common culprit, making it a promising ablation target for maintaining sinus rhythm. Nevertheless, results from previous studies that evaluated the efficacy of SVCI showed conflicting results. One possible explanation is that SVC is adjacent to critical anatomical structures (such as the sinus node and the phrenic nerve), which raises safety concerns and often leads to inadequate ablation. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a standardized ablation procedure for SVCI, ensuring both safety and efficacy. To address this issue, the investigators proposed the concept of quantitative ablation for SVCI. By introducing AI as a quantitative measure, it is possible to achieve precise catheter ablation while minimizing the risk of procedure-related complications. This study aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of quantitative AI-guided SVCI in addition to PVI. Participants with PAF who required catheter ablation will be consecutively enrolled in three hospitals in China.

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