CLOSE Versus High Density Mapping Guided Catheter Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

The aim of this study is to compare two methods of catheter ablation for treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The first method being a modified CLOSE protocol used for the control group and the second high density mapping guided isolation of pulmonary veins used for the interventional group. Comparison will be made according to clinical parameters and also durability of pulmonary vein isolation.

CLOSE protocol is among the latest methods of catheter ablation of AF. According to this protocol, ablations are guided by ablation index, which takes into account ablation time, the contact force and power supplied by the ablation catheter. In this protocol the distance between individual ablation lesions is less than 6 millimeters (mm), thus ensuring the continuity of the ablation line around the pulmonary veins. After ablation, the electrical isolation of pulmonary veins (entry and exit block) is checked with a multi-electrode circumferential catheter. The electrical inactivity of the ablation line itself is thus checked indirectly via the conduction block. According to recent studies, the success rate of catheter ablation with this protocol after one procedure at one year is approximately 90%. Investigators believe that the presence of electrical activity within the ablation line, which does not translate into and out of the pulmonary veins during the procedure and is not detected by the currently used mapping technique, significantly affects the subsequent clinical success of the procedure. Investigators assume that high-resolution mapping of the ablation line would identify areas of electrical activity within the ablation line (dormant conduction) and that the ablation of these areas during the first procedure would significantly affect both the long-term isolation of the pulmonary veins and the clinical success of the procedure.

The aim of this study is to compare long-term clinical efficacy and efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation of two different methods of catheter ablation for treatment of AF. Participants will be randomised into two groups. In the first group isolation of pulmonary veins will be performed following a modified CLOSE protocol, the isolation will be checked with multipolar circumferential catheter. In the second group the ablation will be performed with the same method but the isolation of pulmonary veins will be checked with high-resolution mapping looking for dormant conduction in the pulmonary vein antra.

Hypothesis:

investigators expect that the incidence of the recurrence od AF in the high resolution mapping group will be lower during clinical follow-up. Investigators also expect that durable pulmonary vein isolation will be present in higher proportion of participants where high resolution mapping was performed.

Study protocol:

Participants will be randomized 1:1 into two groups:

1. Wide antral circumferential isolation of the pulmonary veins following modified CLOSE protocol (1) - ablation index at the posterior side 400, at the anterior side 550; distance between lesions \<6 mm. 30 minutes after the completion of the ablation line, the isolation of the pulmonary veins is checked by inserting multipolar circular catheter into each pulmonary vein. In case of electrical activity ablation is added to close the gap in the line until pulmonary veins are electrically isolated.
2. Wide antral circumferential isolation of the pulmonary veins following modified CLOSE protocol (1) - ablation index at the posterior side 400, at the anterior side 550; distance between lesions \<6 mm. 30 minutes after the completion of the ablation line, the isolation of the pulmonary veins is checked by inserting multipolar circular catheter into each pulmonary vein. Additionally a high density map is created with the multipolar catheter with at least 1000 mapping points for each pulmonary antrum. Signals considered to represent gaps in the line: multicomponent intracardiac electrograms consisting of at least three baseline deviations and/or conduction from vein to the atrium during pacing beyond ablation line (10 milliAmpers, 1 millisecond) and/or voltage amplitude inside the ablation line above 0.1 milliVolts. If intracardiac signals after added ablation on the line persist after additional ablations this region is not considered a gap in the line. The area of the gap is ablated until electric inactivity of the pulmonary vein antrum as evidenced with high density remapping.

Investigators will record the characteristics of the areas where gaps will be recorded: inappropriate drop in impedance during ablation (below 10 Ohms), the parameters of the contact force of the ablation catheter tip during ablation, interlesion distance, characteristics of unipolar recordings of intracardiac electrograms from the tip of the ablation catheter and others.

Twelve (12) months after the procedure, all participants (even without proven atrial tachyarrhythmia) will undergo a re-intervention to check electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins and pulmonary vein antra with a multi-electrode mapping catheter and high density mapping. In case of proven re-isolation of the pulmonary veins or their antra, investigators will find the location of the gap in the ablation line and add additional ablation at this location until electrical isolation will be achieved.

Follow-up:

All participants will have continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring for at least 12 hours after the procedure.

On the day after the procedure following examinations will be performed:

* 12-lead ECG,
* transthoracic ultrasound of the pericardium,

All participants will be monitored clinically for at least 12 months after the procedure:

After 3 months of blanking period, participants will come for the first outpatient examination in outpatient clinic of the University Medical Center in Ljubljana. This will be followed by a second outpatient examination after 6 months and a third outpatient examination after 12 months of intervention. In case of palpitations participants will be instructed to come to an earlier examination.

Clinical efficacy of the procedure will be defined as absence of AF episodes longer than 30 seconds detected by 24-hour ECG monitoring. Additionally, episodes of AF detected with event monitors and symptom driven 12-lead ECG recordings will be considered a recurrence.

On the first and second clinical follow-up (3, 6 months) the following examinations will be performed:

* history taking and clinical examination,
* 12-lead ECG recording,
* 24-hour Holter ECG,
* 1 week event monitor with daily 2 minute ECG recordings that will be sent to the investigator.

On the third clinical follow-up (12 months) the following examinations will be performed:

* history taking and clinical examination,
* 12-lead ECG recording,
* 24-hour Holter ECG,
* 1 week event monitor with daily 2 minute ECG recordings that will be sent to the investigator,
* transthoracic ultrasound of the heart.

Medical management: Antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) and anticoagulation (AC) management will be directed by the referring physician. Anticoagulation is continued post-procedurally for at least three months. This continuation of ADDs and AC will be controled by the referring physician and a predefined protocol for discontinuation will not be provided. Subsequent interventions including repeat catheter ablation will be directed by the referring physician and recorded.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* electrocardiographic evidence of paroxysmal AF in the last six months,
* unsuccessful treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs or highly symptomatic arrhythmia episodes (EHRA 3 and 4).

Exclusion Criteria:

* age over 80 years,
* greatly enlarged left atrium (ultrasound parasternal diameter more than 50 mm),
* life expectancy less than one year,
* acute life-threatening disease,
* previous heart surgery,
* severe left or right ventricular dysfunction (LVEF equal or less than 35 %),
* severe valve failure,
* presence of a clot in the left atrium,
* previous atrial fibrillation ablation