Comparison of Operator-guided and Automatic Algorithm-guided Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained supraventricular arrhythmia. It increases the risk of hospitalization and all-cause mortality. AF causes about 5-fold increase in the risk of stroke and 3-fold increase in the risk of heart failure.

Catheter ablation in the treatment of AF (i.e. pulmonary vein isolation) is now the most effective method of prevention of arrhythmia recurrence, especially in paroxysmal AF. Still, efficacy of one procedure in a 1-year follow-up is between 20 and 80%, depending on demographic and clinical factors (concomitant diseases), and on the form of the arrhythmia (paroxysmal-persistent), it also depends on the method of ablation used and the experience of the centre. In a big European registry including over 1,300 patients antiarrhythmic drugs-free efficacy of catheter ablation in AF in 1-year follow-up was about 40%. Major finding in patients with AF recurrence after catheter ablation is pulmonary vein reconnection, so decreasing the risk of pulmonary vein reconnections seems crucial to diminish the risk of AF recurrence. Several novel technologies have been proposed lately to improve efficacy of AF ablation, their real importance needs validation in a clinical trial.

Current standard is radiofrequency (RF) ablation with manual collection of ablation points (by operator or assistant). Automatic algorithm collect ablation points with additional criteria: catheter stability time, range of motion, and catheter-tissue contact force. The operator can see more precisely where the RF current has been applied and where are the gaps in the line.

Background hypothesis is that automatic algorithm collecting ablation points (with certain catheter stability time, range of motion, and catheter-tissue contact force) prevents forming the gaps in the ablation line, thus preventing pulmonary vein reconnection and AF recurrence. The aim of the trial will be 1:1 comparison of the two methods of pulmonary vein isolation: with manual vs. automatic collection of ablation points using CARTO system and contact force catheter.

Inclusion criteria

• patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation qualified to catheter ablation according to current standards

Exclusion criteria

• lack of informed consent
• two previous pulmonary vein isolations