Radiofrequency hot balloon catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: A 3-center study in Japan

• Published in: Journal of Arrhythmia Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 20 - 27
• Main Authors: Sohara, Hiroshi, MD, Satake, Shutaro, MD, Takeda, Hiroshi, MD, Yamaguchi, Yoshio, MD, Toyama, Hideko, MD, Kumagai, Koichiro, MD, Kuwahara, Taishi, MD, Takahashi, Atushi, MD, Ohe, Tohru, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Elsevier B.V 01-02-2013; Japanese Heart Rhythm Society; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Ablation; Ablation (Surgery); Antiarrhythmics; Atrial fibrillation; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiovascular; Catheter ablation; Catheters; Drug resistance; Drug therapy; Electrodes; Energy; Esophagus; Hypertension; Patients; Radio frequency; Veins & arteries; Japan; Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation
• ISSN: 1880-4276; 1883-2148
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joa.2012.07.005

Abstract Background The safety and efficacy of radiofrequency hot balloon catheter (Toray-Satake balloon [TSB]) ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) was evaluated in a 3-center pilot study. Methods Thirty patients (24 men; age, 61±8 years) with drug-resistant AF (paroxysmal, n =24; persistent, n =6) were evaluated in this study. The pulmonary veins (PVs) and PV antrum were isolated using the TSB under general anesthesia ( n =12) or deep sedation ( n =18). Results Complete PV isolation was achieved in 110 (92%) of 120 PVs, and decreased PV potentials were observed in the right superior PV in 4 patients (13%), left superior PV in 4 patients (13%), and left inferior PV in 2 patients (7%). The mean total procedure time was 104±27 min. The mean total fluoroscopic and total application times were 32±14 min and 12±2 min, respectively. After a single session, 22 (73%) and 20 (67%) of the 30 patients were free from AF after 6 and 11.4±2.2 months of follow-up, respectively. There were no device-related severe complications such as stroke, esophageal fistula, symptomatic PV stenosis, phrenic nerve palsy, or pyloric spasm. Conclusion TSB catheter ablation might be a promising approach for the treatment of drug-resistant AF.