Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation and Roof and Posterior Wall Debulking Using Navik 3D™: A New Technique for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

DOI: 10.19102/icrm.2020.110105

IMRAN NIAZI, MD,¹ LYNN ERICKSON, MS,¹ AMIR CHAUDHARI, DO, MS,¹ and MOHAMED DJELMAMI-HANI, MD¹

¹Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Centers, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Milwaukee, WI, USA

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ABSTRACT. The success rates of traditional endocardial ablation techniques for managing atrial fibrillation remain modest. Recently, the performance of posterior wall ablation in conjunction with pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) has been reported to increase the chance of success following endocardial ablation. We report a systematic approach for the isolation of the PVs and ablation of the left atrial roof and posterior wall using a cryoballoon guided by the novel Navik 3D™ mapping system (APN Health LLC, Waukesha, WI, USA) and offer preliminary data including procedure, fluoroscopy, and cryoablation times for review. Patients (n = 52) aged 63 years ± 10 years with paroxysmal (n = 42), persistent (n = 11), or chronic (n = 2) atrial fibrillation underwent cryoballoon ablation for PVI and/or the left atrial roof, posterior wall, anterior ganglion plexi (GP), or mitral isthmus line. Lesions were accurately delivered to the PVs, left atrial roof, posterior wall, anterior GP, or mitral isthmus line as appropriate. Acute PVI was achieved in 98% of all patients, and eight (15%) required direct current cardioversion to restore sinus rhythm at the end of the procedure. The mean ± standard deviation procedure, fluoroscopy, and cryoballoon ablation times were 149 minutes ± 39 minutes, 33 minutes ± 30 minutes, and 41 minutes ± 14 minutes, respectively. The Navik 3D™ mapping system is believed to be the only available mapping system that allows for the visualization and location of the cryoballoon in three dimensions, enabling the operator to deliver contiguous, overlapping lesions on the roof and posterior wall of the left atrium. It also facilitates precise measurement of the distance between the esophageal temperature probe and the cryoballoon, thereby helping to avoid freezing damage to the esophagus.

KEYWORDS. Ablation, atrial fibrillation, cardiac mapping, cryoballoon, Navik 3D.

Ms. Erickson was a contractor at APN Health until March 2018. Dr Djelmami-Hani is a minor shareholder in APN Health. The other authors report no conflicts of interest for the published content.
Manuscript received March 28, 2019. Final version accepted July 1, 2019.
Address correspondence to: Imran Niazi, MD, Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, 2801 W. Kinnickinnic River Parkway, Ste. 880, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA. Email: publishing24@aurora.org.

Introduction

Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) remains the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, but the success rate remains modest, particularly in patients with a dilated left atrium and persistent AF.^1–3 Since the posterior left atrial wall is embryologically akin to the PVs,⁴ debulking of the posterior wall and left atrial roof has been proposed as an adjunct technique in difficult cases.⁵ Hybrid ablation, in which endocardial PVI is supplemented with minimally invasive surgical epicardial posterior wall ablation, has been shown to improve the success rates in refractory paroxysmal, persistent, and long-standing persistent AF.^6,7 Interestingly, supplementing PVI with radiofrequency (RF) rooflines and mitral isthmus lines does not seem to reduce the recurrence rate, as noted in the Substrate and Trigger Ablation for Reduction of AF Trial Part II (STAR AF II).⁸

Recently, Aryana et al. achieved improved success rates with cryoballoon ablation of the posterior wall/roof debulking in addition to PVI in patients with persistent AF.⁹ This outcome might be due to the fact that cryoballoon lesions have a much larger footprint than the point-by-point RF lesions used to create rooflines and mitral lines. Others have reported increased success with a supplemental RF posterior wall “box” lesion set,^3,5 albeit with an increased risk of freezing injury to the esophagus.¹⁰ This, in our experience, does not seem to occur with cryoballoon ablation of the posterior wall using the Navik 3D™ three-dimensional (3D) mapping system (APN Health LLC, Waukesha, WI, USA). The exact distance between the esophageal temperature probe and the distal marker on the cryoballoon can be calculated, and thermal effects on the esophagus can be mitigated by subtle repositioning such that the distal cooling surface (ie, the front half) of the balloon is oriented away from the esophagus and does not press the atrial wall into the esophagus.

We have developed effective techniques for cryoballoon-based posterior wall, roof, mitral isthmus, and anterior wall ablation employing the Navik 3D™ mapping system. With this system, two-dimensional fluoroscopic images are accurately converted into 3D maps. The cryoballoon can be visualized and virtually located, ensuring rapid and complete obliteration of electrograms on the roof and posterior wall with overlapping lesions, preventing gaps in ablation lines or areas. The Navik 3D™ mapping system is the only open-platform mapping system currently available and can be used to locate all catheters and esophageal probes in three dimensions without limitations on manufacturer, which significantly reduces the cost of the procedure. In the current report, we illustrate these techniques and describe the utility of this system.

The Navik 3D™ device can be used to report the 3D location (X, Y, and Z coordinates) of the distal marker on the cryoballoon and the esophageal temperature probe. Given these coordinates, the device can then compute the distance from the distal marker on the cryoballoon to the esophageal temperature probe. Although Navik 3D™ is a fluoroscopy-based system, preliminary tests of the system note that its use did not significantly increase fluoroscopic exposure when compared with recently published data on the subject of PVI plus posterior wall ablation using the cryoballoon.¹¹

Navik 3D™ also allows for the construction of a 3D geometric representation of the left atrium using the cryoballoon, just as mapping catheters can be used to create the same using other mapping systems. Its open-platform design, which removes the need to involve these other systems, allows for significant cost reductions. No proprietary surface electrodes need to be applied nor are there proprietary ablation catheters to connect to enable the system. Since there is no recording electrode on the cryoballoon, there are no other mapping systems currently available that allow the cryoballoon to be located in 3D or to be used for mapping purposes.

We herein describe our experience tracking the cryoballoon and esophageal temperature probe to assist in the ablation of the PVs and/or the left atrial roof, posterior wall, anterior ganglion plexi (GP), and mitral isthmus line.

Methods

Study population

We included 52 patients aged 63 years ± 10 years with paroxysmal (n = 42), persistent (n = 11), or chronic (n = 2) AF who underwent cryoballoon ablation using only the Navik 3D™ system between March 2018 and April 2019 for PVI and/or cryoablation of the posterior wall, left atrial roof, anterior wall GP, and mitral isthmus line in this research. Baseline characteristics are outlined in Table 1.

System training and general use

Typically, a hospital-employed electrophysiology (EP) laboratory technician operates the Navik 3D™ system under the guidance of the electrophysiologist performing the ablation procedure. Both the EP laboratory technician and the EP physician can view the Navik 3D™ display throughout the procedure. Initial system training for those operating the system consisted of a roughly 60-minute-long slide presentation of the system, discussion of the Navik 3D™ theory of operation, instruction on workflow and key functions, and review of the user manual, with any questions answered by a representative of the manufacturer. Next, the operator performed five procedures under the mentorship of an experienced operator prior to being approved to use the system independently.

Pulmonary vein isolation with Navik 3D™ guidance

The PVs were cannulated with the Achieve multielectrode circular catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) and PV occlusion was confirmed with contrast injection after advancing the cryoballoon into the target vein. A preoperative computed tomography scan of the PVs may be helpful to assess the vein location but is not necessary (Figure 1). The Achieve catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was utilized by the Navik 3D™ system to mark the location of each PV, and the esophageal electrode was also located in 3D, utilizing the radiopaque temperature sensor marker. In this way, the distance and orientation of the cryoballoon in relation to the esophageal temperature probe were computed and visualized on the map (Figure 2). The location and orientation of the cryoballoon were also marked by Navik 3D™ in each vein (Figure 3). Two fluoroscopic views are required for each location on the map, separated by about 20 degrees. We utilized the left anterior oblique 20-degree and anteroposterior (AP) views for the left PVs and the right anterior oblique 20-degree plus AP views for the right PVs for the sake of convenience.

PVI was performed with three-minute initial and two-minute confirmatory lesion creation in each vein; isolation was documented with the Achieve multielectrode catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) and confirmed with entrance/exit block.

Left atrial roof and posterior wall ablation

We used the cryoballoon to rapidly and completely obliterate all electrical activity over the left atrial roof and posterior wall. After left superior PV (LSPV) antral isolation, the Achieve catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was retained in the LSPV and the cryoballoon was withdrawn slightly (about half a balloon length). The curve of the FlexCath Advance steerable sheath (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was released, and the cryoballoon was directed against the contiguous portion of the roof (Figure 4A). The cryoballoon itself may be deflected superiorly using its intrinsic controls if necessary. The Achieve catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) acted as a rail and steadied the cryoballoon for this and subsequent lesions. A three-minute cryoablation lesion was delivered. A temperature nadir of less than −35°C was considered as an indication of good contact. In our experience, three-minute lesions with good contact and good temperature drop are essential for the durable obliteration of all electrical activity in the contacted area.

Subsequently, with the cryoballoon inflated, the FlexCath sheath (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was rotated clockwise, the balloon was withdrawn by half a balloon length, and a second roof lesion was delivered (Figure 4B). Third; fourth; or, more rarely, more roof lesions may be required to cover the entire roof up to the right superior PV (RSPV) (Figures 4C and 4D). Next, the RSPV antrum was ablated in the usual way (Figure 4E). Following RSPV antral ablation, the cryoballoon was inflated and pulled back from the RSPV slightly and the FlexCath sheath (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was rotated counterclockwise while retaining the Achieve catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) within the RSPV. A lesion delivered in this location completed the right side of the roofline. On occasion, this lesion may not be necessary if sufficient overlap is achieved with just the roof and RSPV lesions. It is noteworthy that certain lesions may overlap the esophageal electrode, which may be associated with a drop in esophageal temperature (Figure 5).

Posterior wall ablation was started with antral cryoablation of the left inferior PV (LIPV). The Achieve catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was retained in the LIPV and the cryoballoon was inflated and withdrawn by half a balloon length (about 10–15 mm), then directed against the contiguous posterior wall by clockwise rotation of the FlexCath sheath (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Increasing the curvature of the FlexCath sheath (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) allows the operator to direct the balloon against the posterior wall rather than the roof. As elsewhere, three-minute lesions were delivered on the posterior wall. For subsequent lesions, the process was repeated with the Achieve catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) retained in the LIPV to act as a stabilizing rail. Several lesions—usually three to four—may be required to cover the entire posterior wall, depending on the size of the atrium. Following right inferior PV (RIPV) isolation, a right posterior wall lesion was delivered by withdrawing the cryoballoon while rotating it counterclockwise with the Achieve catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) retained in the RIPV for stability. This completed the debulking of the entire posterior wall (Figure 6). Roof and posterior wall ablation can be checked by the Achieve circular catheter and CardioLab (GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL, USA) or a similar EP recording system.

Ablation anterior to the RSPV

The anterior wall contiguous to the RSPV is richly innervated with GPs and is frequently the site of complex and fractionated electrograms both during AF and in normal sinus rhythm. The ablation of this area may be accomplished by withdrawing the cryoballoon and exerting clockwise torque on the FlexCath sheath (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) to bring the cryoballoon into intimate contact with the contiguous anterior wall. Creation of a single three-minute lesion is usually sufficient to debulk this area.

Results

Procedure results

Cryoablation lesions were performed in all or some of the following: PVI, left atrial roof, posterior wall, anterior GP, mitral isthmus line, and/or complex electrograms (Table 2). Isolation of the PVs was achieved in 51 (98%) of the patients, as confirmed with entrance/exit block using bidirectional pacing. The endpoint for effective debulking of the posterior wall and roof was the achievement of no residual electrical activity of more than 0.2 Mv in amplitude. Since pacing is not possible when electrograms have been completely obliterated, we could not check for exit block. The total procedure time was 149 minutes ± 39 minutes, while fluoroscopy time was 33 minutes ± 30 minutes and cryoballoon ablation time was 41 minutes ± 14 minutes. Direct-current cardioversion was required in eight (15%) of patients to restore sinus rhythm at the end of the procedure.

Early on in our experience, we used a separate 3D mapping system to confirm results in each patient. Figure 7 represents a voltage map acquired with the EnSite Velocity (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA) system prior to and after the complete cryoablation lesion set was established in a representative patient. Mapping was performed with the Advisor HD Grid (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA) multielectrode catheter and a total of 13,000 points were acquired. Voltage settings were 0.2 to 1.5 Mv. The posterior wall was effectively debulked and a complete roofline was established.

Discussion

The technique we describe is highly useful in delivering effective and contiguous lesions on the roof and posterior wall. After cryoablation, the absence of electrograms on the roof and posterior wall can be confirmed by mapping with the Achieve catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). The ability to locate cryoballoon ablation lesions in real time during the procedure aids in the accurate delivery of such lesions and may reduce the number of lesions that would be given otherwise without using Navik 3D™.

Although Aryana et al. discussed using two-minute freezes for PVI and posterior wall ablation,⁹ our center traditionally uses an initial three-minute freeze with another bonus freeze performed to ensure isolation. Continuous monitoring of esophageal temperature during the procedure, along with the capability to map the esophagus and cryoballoon lesion location using Navik 3D™ during the procedure, provides useful information to help avoid injury to the esophagus during cryoablation.

Although the system is fluoroscopy-based, we reported fluoroscopy and procedure times that are similar to those of other institutions obtained using different cardiac mapping techniques. In this population, fluoroscopy and procedure times were 33 minutes and 149 minutes, respectively. A recent multicenter study of patients undergoing cryoablation for PVI and the posterior wall reported fluoroscopy and procedure times of 28 minutes and 188 minutes, respectively.⁹ It is important to note that 46 (88%) of our patients received cryoablation that may have included the roofline, posterior wall, anterior GP, and/or the mitral isthmus line in addition to all having received PVI. Of note, fluoroscopy is the only method currently available to locate or visualize the cryoballoon within the heart.

Conclusion

The Navik 3D™ system is a new, open-source 3D mapping system that is uniquely suited for anatomic cryoablation strategies for AF and left atrial flutter. This characteristic contributes to this technology’s simplicity and low cost. Navik 3D™ permits exact localization of the cryoballoon in relation to the esophagus and may help to prevent injury to that structure. Debulking of the posterior wall and roof in persistent AF is performed easily, quickly, and safely, and the open-source architecture allows for significant cost savings.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Jennifer Pfaff and Susan Nord of Aurora Cardiovascular Services for the editorial preparation of the manuscript and Brian Miller and Brian Schurrer of Aurora Research Institute for assistance with the figures.

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