Initial experience and treatment of atrial fibrillation using a novel irrigated multielectrode catheter: Results from a prospective two-center study

BACKGROUND: PV electrical isolation has become the cornerstone of catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Several strategies have been proposed to achieve this goal. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of AF ablation using a new circular irrigated multielectrode ablation catheter designed to achieve single-delivery pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with drug refractory paroxysmal AF and normal ejection fraction from two centers were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients underwent PV isolation with an nMARQ circular irrigated multielectrode ablation catheter guided by an electroanatomic mapping system. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to exclude PV stenosis. RESULTS: PV isolation was achieved in 138 of 140 (98.57%) targeted veins. The mean procedure time was 79.5 min (SD 39.3 min). During a mean follow up of 16.8±2.8 months, 27 of 35 (77.2%) patients were free of AF. No PV narrowing was observed. One case of pericardial effusion due to perforation of the left atrial free wall during catheter manipulation did occur. CONCLUSIONS: PV isolation with a circular irrigated multielectrode ablation catheter is a feasible technique with a high acute success rate. The majority of patients remained asymptomatic during the midterm follow-up period. PV stenosis was not detected. While only a single serious adverse event occurred, this technique׳s safety profile should be tested in larger studies.