Beyond pulmonary vein isolation: approaches to treat patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Abstract

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia with an estimated prevalence of 3.2 million cases in the US. Catheter ablation is a successful rhythm control strategy in paroxysmal AF but it has demonstrated dramatically lower AF-free survival rates in patients with persistent AF. In recent years, myriad novel rhythm control strategies have been developed, each with the promise of improved persistent AF ablation success.

Areas covered: This review discusses multiple novel techniques and approaches to catheter ablation for persistent AF. Authors identified relevant papers by searching PubMed and Google Scholar databases and considered all papers identified, regardless of publication date. It begins by discussing recent advances in electrogram analysis that yielded improved AF-free survival following persistent AF catheter ablation. Next, it discusses several trials revealing the shortcomings of MRI in guiding persistent AF ablation and the limited role it still plays in outcome prognostication. Finally, it discusses one nascent technique (Vein of Marshall ablation) and technology (AI-assisted electrogram analysis) who have shown promise in improving persistent AF ablation.

Expert opinion: In the authors' expert opinions, upcoming persistent AF ablations will utilize a stepwise approach of (1) ensuring PV isolation, (2) Vein of Marshall ablation and (3) AI-assisted ablation to optimize future persistent AF ablation outcomes. This approach systematically addresses arrhythmogenic sources beyond the pulmonary veins, the historical treatment target.