Anatomical variants of the cavotricuspid isthmus in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation
Authors: Ligas M , Haskova J , Cihak R , Peichl P , Wichterle D , Stojadinovic P , Andric S , Kautzner J 
Published: October 2021

Background

We evaluated the differences in the anatomy of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) by assessing image loops provided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in patients who underwent ablation for atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation.

Purpose

CTI is an essential component of the reentrant circle in isthmus–dependent atrial flutter (CTI-AFL) and a target for catheter ablation. In some patients, CTI anatomy may be responsible for a difficult procedure. The aim of this study is to describe in details the anatomical variants of this structure.

Methods

We included a group of 138 patients, who underwent cardiac ablation for atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation between August 2020 and January 2021. Intracardiac echocardiography was employed during the intervention to evaluate the morphology of CTI. Analysis was focused on size, shape, presence of sub-eustachian pouch (excavation more than 5 mm) or presence of prominent Eustachian ridge (ER, embryologic remnant of the valve of the IVC) and mobility of the structure.

Results

The length of CTI measured during ventricular systole averaged at 38,4mm (min 22,5mm, max 60mm). The most frequent pattern was a flat CTI without sub-eustachian excavation or with excavation less than 5mm (71 patients; 51.4%). A pouch (excavation more than 5mm) was observed in 41 pts (29.7%), where the deepest pouch reached 10,5mm. Prominent ER was present in 58 pts (42%). The remaining 26 of CTIs (18.8%) were classified in the “unclassifiable” category with deviations from common anatomic variants - substantial convexity, pronounced trabeculation of isthmus or double pouch. We observed 14 CTIs (10.1%), where the structure was partially or in full extent detached from the diaphragm, sliding during cardiac contractions. In addition to the described morphology, Chiari's network was observed in 18 pts (13%).

In reference to mobility, 53 pts (38.4%) presented with hypermobile CTI with a difference in size of more than 1/3 between the diastole and systole.

Moreover, we looked into differences of CTI related to BMI, left atrial volume index (LAVi) and ejection fraction of the left ventricle. A positive correlation was found between LVEF and mobility of CTI. Hypermobile CTI was present in 42.2% of pts with normal LVEF compared to only 18.9% of pts with reduced EF (EF less than 50%). Similar results were observed in pts with non-dilated LA, where hypermobile CTI was present in 51.9% of pts compared to only 35.1% of pts with dilated LA with LAVi &gt;28 ml/m2 (see table below).

Conclusions

We observed a substantial differences in the anatomy of the CTI, which could play an important role in catheter ablation of this structure. Besides the prominent ER, significant sub-eustachian pouch and hypermobility appear to be variants predisposing to difficult ablation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. CTI variants related to EFLV, BMI, LAViCTI detached from the diaphragm