Catheter Versus Thoracoscopic Surgical Ablation Strategy in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation(AF)is the commonest arrhythmia worldwide and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, posing an increasing public health burden. Restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) is the preferred strategy in symptomatic patients but outcomes with anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) are poor. The alternatives to AAD are two-fold.Firstly, catheter ablation (CA)- a technique that uses catheters (thin tubes) to deliver small 'heat lesions' to areas of the heart to eliminate AF. Secondly, surgical ablation, where multiple incisions are made in the atria to restore SR. Long term results from this traditional surgical approach are excellent however as it is technically difficult open-heart procedure with significant morbidity and mortality, it is seldom used.

CA is very effective in restoring SR in the early stages of AF when it is a paroxysmal (intermittent) rhythm disturbance. If not treated at this stage AF inevitably evolves into a more persistent or permanent state and becomes more difficult to treat with CA. Therefore, the optimum approach to treat patients with symptomatic long standing persistent AF has yet to be determined and remains a key area of on-going research.

New minimally invasive, thoracoscopically assisted surgical(closed-heart)approaches have recently developed which ablate a wide area around the pulmonary veins, and may offer advantages over the best current strategies in CA. There are also clear advantages for patients with greater safety and less discomfort when compared to traditional surgical open-heart procedures.

At present there is small amount of encouraging data on this thoracoscopic surgical technique but there is no data comparing these two modalities of treatment in persistent AF patients. The investigators therefore wish to prospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of this thoracoscopic surgical technique and compare with CA in this group of patients. MRI scanning will also be used to visualise the effects of ablation by analysis of scar formation.

The study hypothesises that thoracoscopics surgical ablation is a

This will be a pilot, prospective, observational study of catheter ablation compared with thoracoscopically assisted, surgical ablation strategies using a case control design.

The study population will be patients between the ages of 18 and 80 with symptomatic long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (≥1≤5 years) and good left ventricular function where at least one anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) has failed, or where such drugs are contraindicated or not tolerated.

Thoracoscopically Assisted Surgical Ablation Group Patients assigned to this group will undergo minimally invasive, thoracoscopically assisted, surgical ablation to isolate the pulmonary veins (PVI) using a radiofrequency (RF) clamp device. This will include ganglionated plexi ablation +/- LAA excision/exclusion.

Catheter Ablation Group Patients will undergo pulmonary vein isolation, linear and electrogram based ablation.

Recurrences Only one redo procedure is allowed for atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences in the 12 month follow-up period.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years and ≤ 80
2. Symptomatic persistent AF (≥1≤5 years), refractory to at least 1 AAD and/or DCCV
3. Patient is legally competent and willing and able to sign informed consent form
4. Patient is willing and able to adhere to follow up visit protocols for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Left ventricular ejection fraction \< 40%
2. Cardiovascular implantable electronic device (contraindicates MRI imaging)
3. Contraindication to anticoagulation
4. Thrombus in the LA despite anticoagulation
5. CVA within the previous 6 months
6. Previous thoracic \& cardiac surgery (including interventions for AF such as Cox-maze procedure)
7. Prior LA catheter ablation with the intention to treat AF
8. Prior AV nodal ablation
9. Patients actively participating in another research study will be not be permitted to enrol. Patients who have been involved with other research studies will be able to participate after a minimum period of 3 months after completion of prior study follow up.
10. Co-morbid condition that in opinion of investigator confers undue risk of GA or thoracoscopic surgery.