Cryoballoon Ablation of the Pulmonary Veins, the Posterior Wall, the Left Atrial Appendage, and the Mitral Isthmus Guided by Intracardiac Echocardiography–integrated and Three-dimensional Mapping

DOI: 10.19102/icrm.2022.130105

ARASH ARYANA, MD, PhD, FHRS,¹ PAULA LAFORTUNE, RN,¹ LUIGI DI BIASE, MD, PhD, FHRS,² and ANDREA NATALE, MD, FHRS³

¹Mercy General Hospital and Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA

²Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

³Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David’s Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA

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ABSTRACT. Here, we describe the first reported case of pulmonary vein, posterior wall, and left atrial appendage (LAA) isolation with concomitant ablation of a mitral isthmus flutter using the cryoballoon, guided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-integrated 3-dimensional mapping in a patient with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation and intolerance to long-term oral anticoagulation, followed by ICE-guided LAA closure using an endocardial occlusion device. This report illustrates the safety and feasibility of this combined approach. Additionally, it advocates for empiric LAA isolation prior to LAA occlusion, as LAA ablation/isolation can prove challenging in those with existing endocardial LAA occlusion devices should they require subsequent ablations to target arrhythmias or triggers arising from this structure.

KEYWORDS. Cryoablation, cryoballoon, left atrial appendage, mitral isthmus, posterior wall.

Drs. Aryana, Di Biase, and Natale have received consulting fees from Medtronic, Biosense Webster, and Boston Scientific and Dr. Aryana has received research grants from Medtronic and Biosense Webster. Ms. Lafortune reports no conflicts of interest for the published content.
Manuscript received April 4, 2021. Final version accepted June 9, 2021.
Address correspondence to: Arash Aryana, MD, PhD, FACC, FHRS, Cardiovascular Services, Mercy General Hospital and Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute, 3941 J Street, Suite #350, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA. Email: a_aryana@outlook.com.

Introduction

Although pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) remains the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation,¹ the success rate associated with cryoballoon PVI alone in patients with persistent AF remains low.² Meanwhile, several studies have demonstrated incremental benefits associated with left atrial posterior wall isolation (PWI),^3–5 specifically within the region lying between the PVs or the so-called PV component,⁶ as well as electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA)⁷ in addition to PVI. In this article, we describe the first reported case of concurrent PVI, PWI, and LAA isolation along with mitral isthmus ablation for the treatment of a peri-mitral flutter performed using the cryoballoon guided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-integrated 3-dimensional (3D) mapping, followed by ICE-guided LAA closure using an endocardial occlusion device.

This case illustrates the safety and feasibility of this combined approach. In addition, it advocates for empiric LAA isolation prior to LAA occlusion therapy, as LAA ablation/isolation can prove challenging in a patient with an existing endocardial LAA occlusion device should that patient require subsequent ablations to target LAA-related AF triggers or atrial arrhythmias.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for symptomatic, long-standing persistent AF, refractory to anti-arrhythmic drug therapy and cardioversion, as well as intolerance to long-term oral anticoagulation due to recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding from arteriovenous malformations (CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, 4 points; HAS-BLED score, 4 points), in the setting of a dilated left atrium, sleep apnea, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia underwent catheter ablation using a cryoballoon and LAA closure using an endocardial LAA occlusion device. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia. Bilateral femoral venous access was obtained under ultrasound guidance. A decapolar catheter (Dynamic XT™; Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA) was inserted inside the coronary sinus for left atrial recording and pacing and a duodecapolar catheter (Livewire™; Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA) was placed in the high right atrium/superior vena cava for right atrial recording/pacing and phrenic nerve stimulation. After intravenous systemic anticoagulation, a transseptal puncture was performed and the left atrium and the PVs were mapped by fast anatomical mapping (Carto; Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA). All four PVs were targeted and successfully isolated using a 28-mm cryoballoon (Arctic Front Advance PRO; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) followed by PWI, which was guided by ICE. As previously described,^3,5 ICE image integration (CartoSound; Biosense Webster) allows for direct visualization of the balloon within the 3D map. One or 2 120- to 180-second cryoballoon applications (6 in total) were delivered to each PV using a pre-specified dosing algorithm, guided by time to PVI as validated in a previous study.⁸ During ablation of the right PVs, high-output right phrenic nerve stimulation (≥10 mA) was performed from the superior vena cava. No diminished/loss of phrenic nerve pacing capture was observed. After the completion of PVI, PWI was subsequently performed also using the cryoballoon within the region of the PV component. Our techniques and the specific catheter maneuvers to achieve PWI using this approach have been previously described.³ Briefly, a series of overlapping 120-second cryoapplications (13 in total) were delivered at each posterior wall segment. By anchoring the inner lumen circular mapping catheter (Achieve; Medtronic) inside the PVs, the posterior wall was ablated using a segmental, non-occlusive cryoballoon ablation (NOCA) approach.⁹ Briefly, during the ablation of the superior segments of the posterior wall, the inner lumen catheter was anchored inside the superior PVs, whereas the right inferior PV was used for the ablation of the inferior posterior wall segments. Advancing and retracting the inner lumen catheter distally or proximally within the PV allows the operator to position the cryoballoon along the various segments of the posterior wall. As the maximum cooling zone of the cryoballoon spans along its distal hemisphere, the balloon was aligned in such a way that this surface was in direct contact with the targeted tissue. In addition to tactile feel and fluoroscopy, positioning of the cryoballoon along the various posterior wall segments was guided by ICE image integration, which permits the operator to record the precise balloon locations on the posterior wall. Furthermore, the luminal esophageal temperature was monitored throughout the procedure. Based on available data, esophageal temperatures < 15°C were avoided.¹⁰

Meanwhile, during cryoballoon ablation of the posterior wall in this patient, the rhythm converted from AF into a mitral isthmus-dependent left atrial flutter with a mean cycle length of 240 ms. As a result, catheter ablation of the mitral isthmus along with complete electrical isolation of the LAA was performed using the cryoballoon. Given the planned LAA occlusion coupled with the existing data in support of a benefit toward improved freedom from recurrent atrial arrhythmias,⁷ we felt that empiric LAA isolation would be advantageous prior to mechanical LAA occlusion as well as eliminating any future potential sources of LAA-related arrhythmias. As such, the LAA was isolated using a single 180-second cryoapplication (time to isolation, 58 seconds). A second, 120-second bonus application was also applied (Figure 1A). High-output left phrenic nerve stimulation (≥10 mA) was performed throughout the ablation using the inner lumen circular mapping catheter from within the LAA. No diminished/loss of phrenic nerve pacing capture was observed during or following ablation. After PVI, PWI, and LAA isolation, the mitral isthmus was similarly targeted using a series of segmental, 120-second cryoapplications. During ablation of the mitral isthmus, the inner lumen circular mapping catheter was placed across the mitral valve, unanchored within the left ventricle. Care was taken not to occlude the valvular orifice. Balloon stability during applications was attained as a consequence of cryo-adhesion. Altogether, seven cryoballoon applications were required to ablate the mitral isthmus and to achieve block across the isthmus (Figure 1B). Upon completion (total cryoablation time, 61 minutes; total procedure time, 164 minutes), the endpoints of wide-area, antral PVI, PWI, LAA isolation, and mitral isthmus ablation were confirmed through detailed 3D mapping (Figure 2), high-output pacing (>10 mA) from multiple sites within the areas of isolation, as well as differential pacing across the mitral isthmus before and after intravenous drug stimulation. Lastly, the patient underwent LAA occlusion (Figure 3) using a 27-mm LAA occlusion device (Watchman FLX™; Boston Scientific), guided by ICE. The patient tolerated the procedures well without any acute or long-term adverse events, including no phrenic nerve, vagal, or esophageal complications. Oral anticoagulation was discontinued after eight weeks. The patient has maintained sinus rhythm off anti-arrhythmic drugs and has been free from adverse events on antiplatelet therapy with low-dose aspirin during long-term follow-up.

Discussion

Previous studies^11,12 have shown an incremental benefit associated with PWI performed in conjunction with PVI. The rationale for this approach is supported by both anatomical data, which suggest that the PV component shares its embryologic origins with the primordial PVs,⁶ and cellular and structural remodeling data in patients with persistent AF.^11,13 Moreover, prior reports also point to the presence of AF rotors and spontaneous triggers within the PV component.¹⁴ Along these lines, several recent studies^3–5 investigating the outcomes of cryoballoon PVI + PWI have found this approach to be superior to PVI alone in patients with persistent AF. More recently, the authors have also reported the feasibility of mitral isthmus ablation using the cryoballoon for the treatment of a peri-mitral flutter in such a patient.¹⁵ As illustrated by this case, in the appropriate patient, PVI + PWI can be successfully achieved using the cryoballoon along with catheter ablation of the mitral isthmus and concomitant isolation of the LAA. Empiric ablation and isolation of the LAA in some studies have been similarly shown to improve the long-term freedom from recurrent atrial arrhythmias in patients with long-standing persistent AF.⁷ But more importantly, if endocardial LAA occlusion is planned, consideration may be given to LAA isolation beforehand. Although a redo AF ablation can be safely and effectively performed in a patient with a pre-existing Watchman™ device, if LAA ablation/isolation becomes necessary during a subsequent procedure, this could prove challenging. In fact, if attempted, in some cases, it may actually result in an increased risk of peri-device leak and atrial arrhythmia recurrences.¹⁶ Thus, when planning a combined approach of persistent AF ablation and LAA occlusion, consideration may be given to empiric ablation and isolation of the LAA prior to implanting the LAA occlusion device.

Conclusion

As illustrated by this initial report, wide-area, antral PVI, PWI, LAA isolation, and mitral isthmus ablation can be safely and effectively performed concurrently with the cryoballoon using segmental NOCA. This approach can be greatly facilitated using ICE which can also provide direct 3D mapping visualization of the balloon location at various structures. Moreover, if attempted, LAA isolation should ideally be considered prior to a planned mechanical LAA closure using an endocardial occlusion device.

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