Targeting pulmonary vein myocardial sleeves with omnipolar mapping can reduce radiofrequency applications and procedure time: a proof-of-concept study.

Background: There remains an imperative need to accurately map the left atrium in the setting of atrial fibrillation. While the pulmonary vein segmental ostial isolation plays a significant role in atrial fibrillation, clinical attempts to selectively ablate near the pulmonary vein myocardial sleeves have demonstrated a higher recurrence rate of arrhythmia given less precise mapping modalities. However, novel omnipolar mapping technology coupled with Advisor™ HD Grid Mapping Catheter may provide an advantageous profile to map and selectively ablate near the myocardial sleeves.

Methods: This retrospective cohort underwent ablation targeting the pulmonary vein myocardial sleeves with the use of omnipolar mapping technology and later wide area circumferential ablation (WACA) was performed.

Results: The findings of this study demonstrated a few number of lesions were required to achieve all PVI targeting PVMS at 36 (95% CI 32-41) compared to WACA at 81 (95% CI 73-90). PVMS radiofrequency time was shorter at 314 s (95% CI 278-350 s) compared to 799 s (95% CI 692-906 s) for WACA. Mean procedure time to complete PVMS was 59 min (95% CI 53-65) and to complete WACA was 90 min (95% CI 80-100).

Conclusion: Precision ablation near PVMS coupled with omnipolar technology may provide a superior profile in reducing procedure time and number of ablative lesions compared to WACA in the setting of atrial fibrillation with possible similar results. Future investigation using randomized controlled trials can help further support these findings.