ESC Journals
Ablation index (AI) and Lesion Size Index (LSI) are novel parameters that incorporates contact force, time, and power in a weighted formula. Recent studies have shown that such indices predict lesion size and durability of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, the outcomes of ablation guided by indices of force-time-power, such as PV reconnections and atrial fibrillation recurrence, have not been well characterised.
To determine the association between indices of force-time-power and acute PV reconnections, procedure and fluoroscopy time and AF recurrence in patients undergoing radiofrequency PVI.
PUBMED and EMBASE were searched using the terms "catheter ablation" AND "Ablation index" OR "Contact force" OR "Force time integral" OR "lesion size" from inception through 22 May 2019. Studies reporting the procedure time, ablation time, fluoroscopy time, and incidence of AI acute and late reconnection and AF recurrence were included.
Six studies were included in this study with 530 patients, which n = 416 were paroxysmal AF and 114 non-paroxysmal AF. All procedural characteristics (procedure, radiofrequency, and fluoroscopy times) were similar between AI guided and non-AI guided ablation (p > 0.05). Two studies comparing mean PV reconnections in AI guided vs. AI Blinded. Two studies compared minimum AI in reconnected vs. non-reconnected PV segments. Acute PV segment reconnection was associated with a lower minimum AI vs. non-reconnection. In 3 studies reporting AI guided vs. AI blinded ablations, AI was associated with an increased freedom from AF after average follow-up of 12 months.
Radiofrequency ablation guided by AI/LSI was associated with lower acute PV reconnection rates and improved AF freedom after PVI. There was no difference in fluoroscopy, ablation or procedure time with the use of these novel parameters.
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