Cited 1 times since 2022 (0.5 per year) source: EuropePMC Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, Volume 34, Issue 6, 1 1 2022, Pages 990-998 Long-term follow-up of thoracoscopic ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Harlaar N, Oudeman MA, Trines SA, de Ruiter GS, Mertens BJ, Khan M, Klautz RJM, Zeppenfeld K, Tjon A, Braun J, van Brakel TJ
Objectives
Catheter ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) remains challenging, with suboptimal success rates obtained following multiple procedures. Thoracoscopic ablation has shown effective at creating transmural lesions around the pulmonary veins and box; however, long-term rhythm follow-up data are lacking. This study aims, for the first time, to assess the long-term outcomes of thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box ablation in LSPAF.
Methods
Rhythm follow-up consisted of continuous rhythm monitoring using implanted loop recorders or 24-h Holter recordings. Rhythm status and touch-up interventions were assessed up to 5 years.
Results
Seventy-seven patients with symptomatic LSPAF underwent thoracoscopic ablation in 2 centres. Freedom from atrial arrhythmias at 5 years was 50% following a single thoracoscopic procedure and 68% allowing endocardial touch-up procedures (performed in 21% of patients). The mean atrial fibrillation burden in patients with continuous monitoring was reduced from 100% preoperatively to 0.1% at the end of the blanking period and 8.0% during the second year. Antiarrhythmic drug use decreased from 49.4% preoperative to 12.1% and 14.3% at 2 and 5 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Continuous rhythm monitoring resulted in higher recurrence detection rates compared to 24-h Holter monitoring at 2-year follow-up (hazard ratio: 6.5, P = 0.003), with comparable recurrence rates at 5-year follow-up.
Conclusions
Thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation are effective in long-term restoration of sinus rhythm in LSPAF, especially when complemented by endocardial touch-up procedures, as demonstrated by the 68% freedom rate at 5 years. Continuous rhythm monitoring revealed earlier, but not more numerous documentation of recurrences at 5-year follow-up.
