Recent Advances in Lesion Formation for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology

Volumn 9, Issue 5, 2016, Pages

  Barnett, Adam S ^a   Bahnson, Tristram D ^a   Piccini, Jonathan P ^a  

^a DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER   (United States)

Author keywords

atrial fibrillation; catheter ablation; mapping; radiofrequency ablation; technology

Indexed keywords

ANTIARRHYTHMIC AGENT; PLATINUM;

ABLATION CATHETER; ABLATION DEVICE; ABLATION THERAPY; ACOUSTIC RADIATION FORCE IMPULSE IMAGING; ARTICLE; ATRIAL FIBRILLATION; BALLOON CATHETER; BRAIN EMBOLISM; CATHETER ABLATION; CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS; CRYOTHERMAL ABLATION; ELECTRODE CATHETER; ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPORATION; ENDOSCOPE; ESOPHAGUS FISTULA; HEART MUSCLE INJURY; HEART TAMPONADE; HUMAN; IMAGING CATHETER; IMAGING SYSTEM; INTRACARDIAC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY; LASER SURGERY; NERVE INJURY; NONHUMAN; PAROXYSMAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION; PATIENT SAFETY; PERMANENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION; PHRENIC NERVE; PHRENIC NERVE PARALYSIS; PRIORITY JOURNAL; PULMONARY VEIN ISOLATION; RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION; RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION DEVICE; RECURRENT DISEASE; THROMBOEMBOLISM; EQUIPMENT DESIGN; HEART MUSCLE CONDUCTION SYSTEM; HEART RATE; INNERVATION; PATHOPHYSIOLOGY; PHYSIOLOGY; PROCEDURES; PULMONARY VEIN; TREATMENT OUTCOME;

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION; CATHETER ABLATION; EQUIPMENT DESIGN; HEART CONDUCTION SYSTEM; HEART RATE; HUMANS; PULMONARY VEINS; RECURRENCE; TREATMENT OUTCOME;

EID: 84969246767     PISSN: 19413149     EISSN: 19413084     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCEP.115.003299     Document Type: Article

References (73)

1. Calkins H, Kuck KH, Cappato R, Brugada J, Camm AJ, Chen SA, Crijns HJ, Damiano RJ Jr, Davies DW, Di Marco J, Edgerton J, Ellenbogen K, Ezekowitz MD, Haines DE, Haissaguerre M, Hindricks G, Iesaka Y, Jackman W, Jalife J, Jais P, Kalman J, Keane D, Kim YH, Kirchhof P, Klein G, Kottkamp H, Kumagai K, Lindsay BD, Mansour M, Marchlinski FE, McCarthy PM, Mont JL, Morady F, Nademanee K, Nakagawa H, Natale A, Nattel S, Packer DL, Pappone C, Prystowsky E, Raviele A, Reddy V, Ruskin JN, Shemin RJ, Tsao HM, Wilber D; Heart Rhythm Society Task Force on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. 2012 HRS/EHRA/ECAS expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: recommendations for patient selection, procedural techniques, patient management and follow-up, definitions, endpoints, and research trial design: a report of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Task Force on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Developed in partnership with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS); and in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Endorsed by the governing bodies of the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the American Heart Association, the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society, the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, and the Heart Rhythm Society. Heart Rhythm. 2012;9:632-696.e21. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.12.016.
2. Haïssaguerre M, Jaïs P, Shah DC, Takahashi A, Hocini M, Quiniou G, Garrigue S, Le Mouroux A, Le Métayer P, Clémenty J. Spontaneous initiation of atrial fibrillation by ectopic beats originating in the pulmonary veins. N Engl J Med. 1998;339:659-666. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199809033391003.
3. Yokoyama K, Nakagawa H, Shah DC, Lambert H, Leo G, Aeby N, Ikeda A, Pitha JV, Sharma T, Lazzara R, Jackman WM. Novel contact force sensor incorporated in irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheter predicts lesion size and incidence of steam pop and thrombus. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2008;1:354-362. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.108.803650.
4. Ikeda A, Nakagawa H, Lambert H, Shah DC, Fonck E, Yulzari A, Sharma T, Pitha JV, Lazzara R, Jackman WM. Relationship between catheter contact force and radiofrequency lesion size and incidence of steam pop in the beating canine heart: electrogram amplitude, impedance, and electrode temperature are poor predictors of electrode-tissue contact force and lesion size. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2014;7:1174-1180. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.113.001094.
5. Neuzil P, Reddy VY, Kautzner J, Petru J, Wichterle D, Shah D, Lambert H, Yulzari A, Wissner E, Kuck KH. Electrical reconnection after pulmonary vein isolation is contingent on contact force during initial treatment: results from the EFFICAS I study. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2013;6:327-333. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000374.
6. Perna F, Heist EK, Danik SB, Barrett CD, Ruskin JN, Mansour M. Assessment of catheter tip contact force resulting in cardiac perforation in swine atria using force sensing technology. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2011;4:218-224. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.110.959429.
7. Nakagawa H, Kautzner J, Natale A, Peichl P, Cihak R, Wichterle D, Ikeda A, Santangeli P, Di Biase L, Jackman WM. Locations of high contact force during left atrial mapping in atrial fibrillation patients: electrogram amplitude and impedance are poor predictors of electrode-tissue contact force for ablation of atrial fibrillation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2013;6:746-753. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.113.978320.
8. Kumar S, Haqqani HM, Chan M, Lee J, Yudi M, Wong MC, Morton JB, Ling LH, Robinson T, Heck PM, Kelland NF, Halloran K, Spence SJ, Kistler PM, Kalman JM. Predictive value of impedance changes for real-time contact force measurements during catheter ablation of atrial arrhythmias in humans. Heart Rhythm. 2013;10:962-969. doi: 10.1016/j. hrthm.2013.03.022.
9. Natale A, Reddy VY, Monir G, Wilber DJ, Lindsay BD, McElderry HT, Kantipudi C, Mansour MC, Melby DP, Packer DL, Nakagawa H, Zhang B, Stagg RB, Boo LM, Marchlinski FE. Paroxysmal AF catheter ablation with a contact force sensing catheter: results of the prospective, multicenter SMART-AF trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64:647-656. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.04.072.
10. Reddy VY, Dukkipati SR, Neuzil P, Natale A, Albenque JP, Kautzner J, Shah D, Michaud G, Wharton M, Harari D, Mahapatra S, Lambert H, Mansour M. Randomized, controlled trial of the safety and effectiveness of a contact force-sensing irrigated catheter for ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: results of the TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter Study for Atrial Fibrillation (TOCCASTAR) Study. Circulation. 2015;132:907-915. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.014092.
11. Providência R, Marijon E, Combes S, Bouzeman A, Jourda F, Khoueiry Z, Cardin C, Combes N, Boveda S, Albenque JP. Higher contact-force values associated with better mid-term outcome of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation using the SmartTouch" catheter. Europace. 2015;17:56-63. doi: 10.1093/europace/euu218.
12. Marijon E, Fazaa S, Narayanan K, Guy-Moyat B, Bouzeman A, Providencia R, Treguer F, Combes N, Bortone A, Boveda S, Combes S, Albenque JP. Real-time contact force sensing for pulmonary vein isolation in the setting of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: procedural and 1-year results. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014;25:130-137. doi: 10.1111/jce.12303.
13. Andrade JG, Monir G, Pollak SJ, Khairy P, Dubuc M, Roy D, Talajic M, Deyell M, Rivard L, Thibault B, Guerra PG, Nattel S, Macle L. Pulmonary vein isolation using "contact force" ablation: the effect on dormant conduction and long-term freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation-a prospective study. Heart Rhythm. 2014;11:1919-1924. doi: 10.1016/j. hrthm.2014.07.033.
14. Squara F, Latcu DG, Massaad Y, Mahjoub M, Bun SS, Saoudi N. Contact force and force-time integral in atrial radiofrequency ablation predict transmurality of lesions. Europace. 2014;16:660-667. doi: 10.1093/europace/euu068.
15. Mansour M, Shah D, Kalbfeisch S, Jordaens L, Kautzner J, Kuck K, Wharton M, Lambert H, Harari D, Reddy V. Application of contact force guidelines increases durable isolation after pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In: HRS 2013. Denver, CO. May 8, 2013. Abstract PO01-133.
16. Shurrab M, Di Biase L, Briceno DF, Kaoutskaia A, Haj-Yahia S, Newman D, Lashevsky I, Nakagawa H, Crystal E. Impact of Contact Force Technology on Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: A Meta-Analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2015;4:e002476. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.115.002476.
17. Boersma LV, Wijffels MC, Oral H, Wever EF, Morady F. Pulmonary vein isolation by duty-cycled bipolar and unipolar radiofrequency energy with a multielectrode ablation catheter. Heart Rhythm. 2008;5:1635-1642. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2008.08.037.
18. Greef Y De, Buysschaert I, Schwagten B, Stockman D, Tavernier R, Duytschaever M. Duty-cycled multi-electrode radiofrequency vs. conventional irrigated point-by-point radiofrequency ablation for recurrent atrial fibrillation: comparative 3-year data. Europace. 2014;16:820-825.
19. Bittner A, Mönnig G, Zellerhoff S, Pott C, Köbe J, Dechering D, Milberg P, Wasmer K, Eckardt L. Randomized study comparing duty-cycled bipolar and unipolar radiofrequency with point-by-point ablation in pulmonary vein isolation. Heart Rhythm. 2011;8:1383-1390. doi: 10.1016/j. hrthm.2011.03.051.
20. Bulava A, Haniš J, Sitek D, Ošmera O, Karpianus D, Snorek M, Rehoušková K, Toušek F, Pešl L. Catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a randomized comparison between multielectrode catheter and point-by-point ablation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2010;33:1039-1046. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2010.02807.x.
21. Hummel J, Michaud G, Hoyt R, De Lurgio D, Rasekh A, Kusumoto F, Giudici M, Dan D, Tschopp D, Calkins H, Boersma L; TTOP-AF Investigators. Phased RF ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. 2014;11:202-209. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.11.009.
22. Gaita F, Leclercq JF, Schumacher B, Scaglione M, Toso E, Halimi F, Schade A, Froehner S, Ziegler V, Sergi D, Cesarani F, Blandino A. Incidence of silent cerebral thromboembolic lesions after atrial fibrillation ablation may change according to technology used: comparison of irrigated radiofrequency, multipolar nonirrigated catheter and cryoballoon. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2011;22:961-968. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2011.02050.x.
23. Herrera Siklódy C, Deneke T, Hocini M, Lehrmann H, Shin DI, Miyazaki S, Henschke S, Fluegel P, Schiebeling-Römer J, Bansmann PM, Bourdias T, Dousset V, Haïssaguerre M, Arentz T. Incidence of asymptomatic intracranial embolic events after pulmonary vein isolation: comparison of different atrial fibrillation ablation technologies in a multicenter study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2011;58:681-688. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2011.04.010.
24. Zellerhoff S, Ritter MA, Kochhäuser S, Dittrich R, Köbe J, Milberg P, Korsukewitz C, Dechering DG, Pott C, Wasmer K, Leitz P, Güner F, Eckardt L, Mönnig G. Modified phased radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation reduces the number of cerebral microembolic signals. Europace. 2014;16:341-346. doi: 10.1093/europace/eut282.
25. Medtronic Atrial Fibrillation Solutions. Evaluation of the phased radio frequency ablation system (VICTORY AF). ClinicalTrials.gov Website. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT01693120. Accessed November 21, 2015.
26. Scharf C, Ng GA, Wieczorek M, Deneke T, Furniss SS, Murray S, Debruyne P, Hobson N, Berntsen RF, Schneider MA, Hauer HA, Halimi F, Boveda S, Asbach S, Boesche L, Zimmermann M, Brigadeau F, Taieb J, Merkel M, Pfyffer M, Brunner-La Rocca HP, Boersma LV. European survey on efficacy and safety of duty-cycled radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. Europace. 2012;14:1700-1707. doi: 10.1093/europace/eus188.
27. Deneke T, Schade A, Müller P, Schmitt R, Christopoulos G, Krug J, Szöllösi G, Mügge A, Kerber S, Nentwich K. Acute safety and efficacy of a novel multipolar irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheter for pulmonary vein isolation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014;25:339-345. doi: 10.1111/jce.12316.
28. Jais P. Final outcomes of REVOLUTION: a prospective, multi-center clinical study of pulmonary vein isolation using the nMARQ TM circular and crescent multi-electrode irrigated ablation catheter. In: HRS 2014. May 8, 2014. San Francisco, CA.
29. Rosso R, Halkin A, Michowitz Y, Belhassen B, Glick A, Viskin S. Radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with the new irrigated multipolar nMARQ ablation catheter: verification of intracardiac signals with a second circular mapping catheter. Heart Rhythm. 2014;11:559-565. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.12.029.
30. Burri H, Park CI, Poku N, Giraudet P, Stettler C, Zimmermann M. Pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using a circular multipolar ablation catheter: safety and efficacy using low-power settings. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2016;27:170-174. doi: 10.1111/jce.12853.
31. Biosense Webster, Inc. nMARQ™ pulmonary vein isolation system for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. ClinicalTrials.gov Website. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01824394. Accessed November 21, 2015.
32. Themistoclakis S, Raviele A, China P, Pappone C, De Ponti R, Revishvili A, Aliot E, Kuck KH, Hoff PI, Shah D, Almendral J, Manolis AS, Chierchia GB, Oto A, Vatasescu RG, Sinkovec M, Cappato R; Atrial Fibrillation Survey Investigators. Prospective European survey on atrial fibrillation ablation: clinical characteristics of patients and ablation strategies used in different countries. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014;25:1074-1081. doi: 10.1111/jce.12462.
33. Bardy GH, Coltorti F, Stewart RB, Greene HL, Ivey TD. Catheter-mediated electrical ablation: the relation between current and pulse width on voltage breakdown and shock-wave generation. Circ Res. 1988;63:409-414.
34. Neven K, van Driel V, van Wessel H, van Es R, du Pré B, Doevendans PA, Wittkampf F. Safety and feasibility of closed chest epicardial catheter ablation using electroporation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2014;7:913-919. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.114.001607.
35. Wittkampf FH, van Driel VJ, van Wessel H, Neven KG, Gründeman PF, Vink A, Loh P, Doevendans PA. Myocardial lesion depth with circular electroporation ablation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2012;5:581-586. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.111.970079.
36. Gothelf A, Mir LM, Gehl J. Electrochemotherapy: results of cancer treatment using enhanced delivery of bleomycin by electroporation. Cancer Treat Rev. 2003;29:371-387.
37. Driel VJHM van, Neven KGEJ, van Wessel H, du Pré BC, Vink A, Doevendans PAFM, Wittkampf FHM. Pulmonary vein stenosis after catheter ablation: electroporation versus radiofrequency. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2014;7:734-738.
38. De Ponti R. Cryothermal energy ablation of cardiac arrhythmias 2005: state of the art. Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2005;5:12-24.
39. Khairy P, Chauvet P, Lehmann J, Lambert J, Macle L, Tanguay JF, Sirois MG, Santoianni D, Dubuc M. Lower incidence of thrombus formation with cryoenergy versus radiofrequency catheter ablation. Circulation. 2003;107:2045-2050. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000058706.82623.A1.
40. Fürnkranz A, Bordignon S, Schmidt B, Gunawardene M, Schulte-Hahn B, Urban V, Bode F, Nowak B, Chun JK. Improved procedural efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation using the novel second-generation cryoballoon. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2013;24:492-497. doi: 10.1111/jce.12082.
41. Packer DL, Kowal RC, Wheelan KR, Irwin JM, Champagne J, Guerra PG, Dubuc M, Reddy V, Nelson L, Holcomb RG, Lehmann JW, Ruskin JN; STOP AF Cryoablation Investigators. Cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary veins for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: first results of the North American Arctic Front (STOP AF) pivotal trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;61:1713-1723. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2012.11.064.
42. Vogt J, Heintze J, Gutleben KJ, Muntean B, Horstkotte D, Nölker G. Longterm outcomes after cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation: results from a prospective study in 605 patients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;61:1707-1712. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2012.09.033.
43. Wissner E, Heeger CH, Grahn H, Reissmann B, Wohlmuth P, Lemes C, Rausch P, Mathew S, Rillig A, Deiss S, Maurer T, Lin T, Tilz RR, Ouyang F, Kuck KH, Metzner A. One-year clinical success of a 'no-bonus' freeze protocol using the second-generation 28 mm cryoballoon for pulmonary vein isolation. Europace. 2015;17:1236-1240. doi: 10.1093/europace/euv024.
44. Ciconte G, de Asmundis C, Sieira J, Conte G, Di Giovanni G, Mugnai G, Saitoh Y, Baltogiannis G, Irfan G, Coutiño-Moreno HE, Hunuk B, Velagić V, Brugada P, Chierchia GB. Single 3-minute freeze for second-generation cryoballoon ablation: one-year follow-up after pulmonary vein isolation. Heart Rhythm. 2015;12:673-680. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.12.026.
45. Metzner A, Reissmann B, Rausch P, Mathew S, Wohlmuth P, Tilz R, Rillig A, Lemes C, Deiss S, Heeger C, Kamioka M, Lin T, Ouyang F, Kuck KH, Wissner E. One-year clinical outcome after pulmonary vein isolation using the second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2014;7:288-292. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.114.001473.
46. He X, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Huang Y, He J. One-year clinical outcome of pulmonary vein isolation using the second-generation cryoballoon: a metaanalysis. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2016;39:182-189. doi: 10.1111/pace12787.
47. Metzner A, Heeger CH, Wohlmuth P, Reißmann B, Rillig A, Tilz RR, Mathew S, Lemes C, Deiß S, Maurer T, Saguner A, Ouyang F, Kuck KH, Wißner E. Two-year outcome after pulmonary vein isolation using the second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon: lessons from the bonus freeze protocol. Clin Res Cardiol. 2016;105:72-78. doi: 10.1007/s00392-015-0890-8.
48. Xu J, Huang Y, Cai H, Qi Y, Jia N, Shen W, Lin J, Peng F, Niu W. Is cryoballoon ablation preferable to radiofrequency ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation by pulmonary vein isolation? A meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9:e90323. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090323.
49. Aryana A, Singh SM, Kowalski M, Pujara DK, Cohen AI, Singh SK, Aleong RG, Banker RS, Fuenzalida CE, Prager NA, Bowers MR, D'Avila A, O'Neill PG. Acute and long-term outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation using the second-generation cryoballoon versus open-irrigated radiofrequency: a multicenter experience. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2015;26:832-839. doi: 10.1111/jce.12695.
50. Fürnkranz A, Brugada J, Albenque JP, Tondo C, Bestehorn K, Wegscheider K, Ouyang F, Kuck KH. Rationale and Design of FIRE AND ICE: A multicenter randomized trial comparing efficacy and safety of pulmonary vein isolation using a cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation with 3D-reconstruction. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014;25:1314-1320. doi: 10.1111/jce.12529.
51. Casado-Arroyo R, Chierchia GB, Conte G, Levinstein M, Sieira J, Rodriguez-Mañero M, di Giovanni G, Baltogiannis Y, Wauters K, de Asmundis C, Sarkozy A, Brugada P. Phrenic nerve paralysis during cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation: a comparison between the first- and second-generation balloon. Heart Rhythm. 2013;10:1318-1324. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.07.005.
52. Mugnai G, de Asmundis C, Ciconte G, Irfan G, Saitoh Y, Velagic V, Ströker E, Wauters K, Hünük B, Brugada P, Chierchia GB. Incidence and characteristics of complications in the setting of second-generation cryoballoon ablation: A large single-center study of 500 consecutive patients. Heart Rhythm. 2015;12:1476-1482. doi: 10.1016/j. hrthm.2015.04.001.
53. Su W, Kowal R, Kowalski M, Metzner A, Svinarich JT, Wheelan K, Wang P. Best practice guide for cryoballoon ablation in atrial fibrillation: The compilation experience of more than 3000 procedures. Heart Rhythm. 2015;12:1658-1666. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.03.021.
54. Reddy VY, Neuzil P, Themistoclakis S, Danik SB, Bonso A, Rossillo A, Raviele A, Schweikert R, Ernst S, Kuck KH, Natale A. Visually-guided balloon catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: experimental feasibility and first-in-human multicenter clinical outcome. Circulation. 2009;120:12-20. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.840587.
55. Dukkipati SR, Neuzil P, Skoda J, Petru J, d'Avila A, Doshi SK, Reddy VY. Visual balloon-guided point-by-point ablation: reliable, reproducible, and persistent pulmonary vein isolation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2010;3:266-273. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.109.933283.
56. Schmidt B, Gunawardene M, Urban V, Kulikoglu M, Schulte-Hahn B, Nowak B, Bordignon S, Chun KJ. Visually guided sequential pulmonary vein isolation: insights into techniques and predictors of acute success. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2012;23:576-582. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2011.02247.x.
57. Bordignon S, Chun KR, Gunawardene M, Urban V, Kulikoglu M, Miehm K, Brzank B, Schulte-Hahn B, Nowak B, Schmidt B. Energy titration strategies with the endoscopic ablation system: lessons from the highdose vs. low-dose laser ablation study. Europace. 2013;15:685-689. doi: 10.1093/europace/eus352.
58. Perrotta L, Bordignon S, Dugo D, Fürnkranz A, Chun KJ, Schmidt B. How to learn pulmonary vein isolation with a novel ablation device: learning curve effects using the endoscopic ablation system. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014;25:1293-1298. doi: 10.1111/jce.12491.
59. Šedivá L, Petrů J, Škoda J, Janotka M, Chovanec M, Reddy V, Neužil P. Visually guided laser ablation: a single-centre long-term experience. Europace. 2014;16:1746-1751. doi: 10.1093/europace/euu168.
60. Dukkipati SR, Kuck KH, Neuzil P, Woollett I, Kautzner J, McElderry HT, Schmidt B, Gerstenfeld EP, Doshi SK, Horton R, Metzner A, d'Avila A, Ruskin JN, Natale A, Reddy VY. Pulmonary vein isolation using a visually guided laser balloon catheter: the first 200-patient multicenter clinical experience. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2013;6:467-472. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000431.
61. Dukkipati SR, Cuoco F, Kutinsky I, Aryana A, Bahnson TD, Lakkireddy D, Woollett I, Issa ZF, Natale A, Reddy VY; HeartLight Study Investigators. Pulmonary vein isolation using the visually guided laser balloon: a prospective, multicenter, and randomized comparison to standard radiofrequency ablation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015;66:1350-1360. doi: 10.1016/j. jacc.2015.07.036.
62. Bordignon S, Chun KR, Gunawardene M, Fuernkranz A, Urban V, Schulte-Hahn B, Nowak B, Schmidt B. Comparison of balloon catheter ablation technologies for pulmonary vein isolation: the laser versus cryo study. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2013;24:987-994. doi: 10.1111/jce.12192.
63. Metzner A, Schmidt B, Fuernkranz A, Wissner E, Tilz RR, Koester I, Konstantinidou M, Rillig A, Yoshiga Y, Mathew S, Ouyang F, Kuck KH. Esophageal temperature change and esophageal thermal lesions after pulmonary vein isolation using the novel endoscopic ablation system. Heart Rhythm. 2011;8:815-820. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.01.022.
64. Metzner A, Wissner E, Schoonderwoerd B, Burchard A, Tilz R, Fürnkranz A, Rillig A, Mathew S, Ouyang F, Kuck KH. The influence of varying energy settings on efficacy and safety of endoscopic pulmonary vein isolation. Heart Rhythm. 2012;9:1380-1385. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.03.059.
65. Bordignon S, Chun KR, Gunawardene M, Schulte-Hahn B, Nowak B, Fuernkranz A, Schmidt B. Endoscopic ablation systems. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2013;10:177-183. doi: 10.1586/erd.12.86.
66. Wissner E, Metzner A, Neuzil P, Petru J, Skoda J, Sediva L, Kivelitz D, Wohlmuth P, Weichet J, Schoonderwoerd B, Rausch P, Bardyszewski A, Tilz RR, Ouyang F, Reddy VY, Kuck KH. Asymptomatic brain lesions following laserballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation. Europace. 2014;16:214-219. doi: 10.1093/europace/eut250.
67. Miller MA, d'Avila A, Dukkipati SR, Koruth JS, Viles-Gonzalez J, Napolitano C, Eggert C, Fischer A, Gomes JA, Reddy VY. Acute electrical isolation is a necessary but insufficient endpoint for achieving durable PV isolation: the importance of closing the visual gap. Europace. 2012;14:653-660. doi: 10.1093/europace/eus048.
68. Ranjan R, Kato R, Zviman MM, Dickfeld TM, Roguin A, Berger RD, Tomaselli GF, Halperin HR. Gaps in the ablation line as a potential cause of recovery from electrical isolation and their visualization using MRI. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2011;4:279-286. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.110.960567.
69. Nightingale K, Soo MS, Nightingale R, Trahey G. Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging: in vivo demonstration of clinical feasibility. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2002;28:227-235.
70. Eyerly SA, Bahnson TD, Koontz JI, Bradway DP, Dumont DM, Trahey GE, Wolf PD. Intracardiac acoustic radiation force impulse imaging: a novel imaging method for intraprocedural evaluation of radiofrequency ablation lesions. Heart Rhythm. 2012;9:1855-1862. doi: 10.1016/j. hrthm.2012.07.003.
71. Eyerly SA, Hsu SJ, Agashe SH, Trahey GE, Li Y, Wolf PD. An in vitro assessment of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging for visualizing cardiac radiofrequency ablation lesions. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2010;21:557-563. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2009.01664.x.
72. Eyerly SA, Dumont DM, Trahey GE, Wolf PD. In vitro monitoring of the dynamic elasticity changes during radiofrequency ablation with acoustic radiation force impulse imaging. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2013;24:472-473. doi: 10.1111/jce.12008.
73. Bahnson TD, Eyerly SA, Hollender PJ, Doherty JR, Kim YJ, Trahey GE, Wolf PD. Feasibility of near real-time lesion assessment during radiofrequency catheter ablation in humans using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014;25:1275-1283. doi: 10.1111/jce.12514.