Background: Optimal pulmonary vein (PV) occlusion, usually verified with selective contrast injection, is mandatory to obtain an effective PV isolation during cryoballoon (CB) ablation.
Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to verify the feasibility and the accuracy of a new dielectric sensing system in assessing PV occlusion during CB ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods: We enrolled 28 consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF. After transseptal access, a detailed image reconstruction of left atrium and PVs was achieved with an octapolar or decapolar mapping catheter (Achieve catheter, Medtronic Inc.) and KODEX-EPD system (EPD Solutions, a Philips company). The degree of PV occlusion with the inflated Arctic Front Advance Cryoballoon (Medtronic Inc.) was verified using the new "occlusion tool" software module (EPD Solutions, a Philips company) and compared to an angiogram obtained with contrast medium injection in each PV.
Results: A total of 105 PV CB occlusion were tested. The new occlusion tool software module showed a 91% sensitivity and 76% specificity in assessing a complete PV occlusion verified with contrast medium injection. The positive predictive value was 80%, and the negative predictive value was 88.6%. Mean procedure time was 81 ± 17 minutes. Mean fluoroscopy time was 6 ± 2 minutes. No 30-day complications were observed.
Conclusion: The new dielectric imaging system was able to assess the degree of PV occlusion during a CB ablation with good sensitivity and specificity.
Keywords: atrial fibrillation; cryoablation; new dielectric imaging system; occlusion tool; pulmonary vein isolation.
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