Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Conditions
Keywords
atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation, silent cerebral lesions, pulsed field ablation
Brief summary
Study Type: Observational Study Goal: The goal of this study is to evaluate the incidence and burden of silent cerebral lesions (SCLs) detected on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after pulsed field ablation (PFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). PFA is a new non-thermal ablation technique that selectively targets cardiac tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding structures. The study focuses on adult patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF who undergo left-atrial ablation using the VARIPULSE PFA system.
Detailed description
Main Questions the Study Aims to Answer: What percentage of patients develop silent cerebral lesions after PFA using the VARIPULSE system? What are the lesion characteristics (number, size, and location) and total lesion burden on MRI? Are there any early neurological or cognitive changes related to these MRI findings? Comparison: This is an observational, single-arm study with no active control group. However, the findings will be compared with historical data from previous studies of thermal ablation (radiofrequency and cryoballoon) to explore potential differences in neurological safety. Participant Activities: Participants in this study will: Undergo brain MRI (DWI and FLAIR sequences) within 1-3 days after PFA to detect any silent cerebral lesions. Complete neurological and cognitive assessments (for example, tests of memory, language, and attention) to identify subtle functional changes. Receive routine clinical follow-up for AF management according to institutional standard of care. Background: Silent cerebral lesions are small ischemic brain injuries seen on MRI that cause no immediate symptoms but have been linked to later cognitive decline and increased risk of clinical stroke. They are known to occur in 10-40 % of patients after conventional AF ablation using radiofrequency or cryoballoon energy. Because PFA employs electrical pulses rather than heat, its effects on cerebral safety may differ. The VARIPULSE system integrates a variable-loop, multipolar PFA catheter with a three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping system to improve procedural precision and reduce risk. Significance: As PFA use expands in clinical practice, understanding its neurological safety is crucial. This study will provide quantitative MRI data and standardized neurological evaluations to define the cerebral safety profile of PFA. The results are expected to inform procedural optimization and help establish evidence-based strategies for safer AF ablation.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Seoul National University Hospital
Biosense Webster, Inc.
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1\) Patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation using the Varipulse™ catheter
Exclusion criteria
1. Individuals under 19 years of age 2. Patients who undergo concomitant radiofrequency ablation of the left atrium during the procedure 3. Patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) 4. Patients who have previously undergone ablation or surgery for atrial fibrillation 5. Patients with intracardiac thrombus or embolic events within the past 90 days 6. Patients who have experienced cardiac surgery or acute coronary syndrome within the past 90 days 7. Patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulant therapy, or those who require temporary discontinuation of anticoagulation due to procedural complications (e.g., cardiac tamponade) 8. Patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 35% 9. Women who are currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period 10. Patients with a life expectancy of less than one year 11. Patients at increased risk during MRI scanning (e.g., those with pacemakers or other metallic implants affected by MRI, or those with severe claustrophobia)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Incidence of silent cerebral lesions (SCLs) | From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months | The proportion of patients in whom silent cerebral lesions (SCLs) are detected on brain MRI performed within 72 hours after atrial fibrillation ablation using the VARIPULSE PFA catheter. Definition of SCL: A lesion that shows positive findings on both diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| General health status | From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months | General health status was measured using the EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) index. The index scores typically range from less than 0 (representing a state 'worse than death') to 1 (representing 'full health'), where higher scores indicate a better overall health state. |
| Number and total volume (mm³) of silent cerebral lesions (SCLs) in patients with positive SCL findings after the procedure. | From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months | Number and total volume (mm³) of silent cerebral lesions (SCLs) in patients with positive SCL findings after the procedure. |
| Neurological complications | From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months | Incidence of newly developed neurological symptoms or signs (e.g., motor weakness, speech impairment, cognitive changes) after the procedure. |
| Cognitive function | From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months | Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score from baseline (pre-procedure) to 3 months after the procedure. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; range: 0-30; higher scores indicate better cognitive performance). A score of 26 or higher is generally considered to represent normal cognitive function. |
| Quality of Life (QoL) | From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months | Patient-reported quality of life was assessed using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy of Life (AFEQT) questionnaire. The AFEQT overall summary score ranges from 0 to 100, where a score of 0 represents the most severe symptoms and functional limitation, and a score of 100 indicates the best possible quality of life (higher scores indicate better clinical outcomes). |
Countries
South Korea
Contacts
CONTACTEue-Keun Choi, MD, PhD
Outcome results
None listed