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Efficacy and safety of catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia by means of flexible-tip irrigated catheters

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Abstract

Purpose

Irrigated-tip ablation catheters increase safety and efficacy of ablation procedures, but their use in atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) ablation has not been systematically evaluated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of AVNRT by means of the novel flexible-tip open-irrigated catheter FlexAbility™ and a 3D electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system.

Methods

This is a single-center and single-operator study on 80 patients referred for AVNRT catheter ablation. Outcome included acute and long-term procedural success as well as complications reported over a median follow-up of 19 months (interquartile range 6–24 months).

Results

Acute success was achieved in all 80 patients. One procedure-related major complication, involving the vascular access, occurred. Mean fluoroscopy time was 106 ± 71 s. One patient (1.2%) suffered long-term AVNRT recurrence. Five patients (6.2%) underwent ablation for AVNRT combined with ablation for other clinical arrhythmias.

Conclusions

Irrigated RF ablation of AVNRT by means of the novel flexible-tip open-irrigated catheter associated to 3D EAM system is effective and safe. Success rates are comparable to those of other techniques. Complication rate is very low.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro, 8 - 44124 Cona, Ferrara, FE, Italy

    Matteo Bertini, Alessandro Brieda, Cristina Balla, Vittorio Smarrazzo, Vitali Francesco & Michele Malagù

  2. Abbott Medical Italy, Clinical Department, Viale Thomas Alva Edison, 110, 20099, Sesto San Giovanni, MI, Italy

    Annalisa Pollastrelli

  3. From Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Via Madonna di Genova, 1, 48033, Cotignola, RA, Italy

    Roberto Ferrari

Authors
  1. Matteo Bertini
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  2. Alessandro Brieda
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  3. Cristina Balla
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  5. Vittorio Smarrazzo
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  6. Vitali Francesco
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  7. Michele Malagù
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Contributions

A. Brieda: data collection, data analysis/interpretation, drafting article, critical revision of article, and approval of article. C. Balla: critical revision of article and approval of article. A. Pollastrelli: data analysis/interpretation, drafting article, critical revision of article, and approval of article. V. Smarrazzo: data collection, critical revision of article, and approval of article. F. Vitali: critical revision of article and approval of article. M. Malagù: critical revision of article and approval of article. R. Ferrari: critical revision of article and approval of article. M. Bertini: concept/design of the study, data collection, data analysis/interpretation, drafting article, critical revision of article, and approval of article.

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Correspondence to Matteo Bertini.

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Written informed consent was obtained. The study was approved by the local ethics committee.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no relationship with industry or other relevant entities. Annalisa Pollastrelli is an employee of Abbott Medical Italy.

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Bertini, M., Brieda, A., Balla, C. et al. Efficacy and safety of catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia by means of flexible-tip irrigated catheters. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 58, 61–67 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-019-00578-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-019-00578-z

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