Subxiphoid epicardial access facilitated by saline infusion or carbon dioxide insufflation through a right atrial appendage controlled exit
Authors: Jauregui Abularach M , Castrejon Castrejon S , Martinez Cossiani M , Guido Lopez L E , Merino Fuentes D , Carton A , Severo Sanchez A , Escobar Cervantes C , Ugueto Rodrigo C , Cobarro Galvez L , Martinez Maldonado M E , Merino Llorens J L 
Published: May 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Subxiphoid percutaneous access to the pericardial space for mapping and ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmia carries the potential risk of cardiac perforation and coronary artery laceration. Widening the pericardial space with saline solution or carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation by intentional coronary vein exit prior to subxiphoid puncture reduces the risk of organ lesion. However, cannulation of a coronary branch is often difficult and adds complexity to the ablation procedure.

Purpose

To determine the feasibility and the safety of subxiphoid epicardial access facilitated by controlled pericardial saline infusion or neumopericardium through a right atrial appendage exit.

Methods

The right atrial appendage was transvenously cannulated using a steerable sheath following anatomical characterization of the right atrium on an electroanatomical navigation system. A 0.014" angioplasty guide was introduced with the proximal rigid end placed distally and progressed until the appendage was perforated and the guide-wire placed into the pericardial space. A double lumen microcatheter was then progressed over the wire. Saline solution (100-400 mL) or CO2 (100-500 cc) were infused through the microcatheter to achieve sufficient pericardial space widening or hemodynamic deterioration. Finally, pericardial access was obtained using the conventional subxiphoid approach.

Results

17 consecutive patients (62±10 years, 15 male) with left atrial flutter (LAF n=11) or ventricular tachycardia (VT n=6) refractory to endocardial ablation were prospectively included. All patients with atrial flutter (uninterrupted oral anticoagulation plus heparin for ACT &gt;300 sec) and ventricular tachycardia (heparin for ACT &gt;300 sec) were fully anticoagulated at the time of the procedure. It was not possible to access epicardium in 4 patients due to adhesions (VT=3 LFA=1). The first 4 patients with successful access had saline infused and the remaining 9 patients had CO2 insufflated. Epicardial tachycardia ablation was successfully achieved in 8 patients (5 AFLs and 3 VTs) and partially successful in 1 patient (1AFL). A pericardial drainage was left in 6 patients before leaving the EP laboratory and removed in the remaining. There was no apparent right ventricular puncture, coronary artery laceration or other major complications. One patient had cardiac tamponade during the procedure and 2 other patients presented tamponade after the procedure following discharge from the interventional lab. One patient presented neumomediastinum and other patient presented subcutaneous emphysema, which resolved uneventful in 24 hours.

Conclusions

Saline infusion or carbon dioxide insufflation through a right atrial appendage controlled exit facilitates subxiphoid epicardial access for ablation of refractory atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. This approach can be performed in the majority the patients and appears to be safe.