Background
Optimal overlap ratio remains unclear in point-by-point laser balloon (LB) ablation.
Objective
This study sought to determine the optimal overlap strategy with target energies on the acute and chronic outcomes in LB pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI).
Methods
Consecutive 38 patients (148 PVs) with atrial fibrillation underwent the first-generation LB PVI with the following protocols based on the overlap ratios for each PV anterior/posterior wall: 50%/50% (13 patients [49 PVs], group A), 50%/25% (15 patients [60 PVs], group B), and 25%/25% (10 patients [39 PVs], group C). High energies (240-255 J: 12 W / 20 seconds, 8.5 W / 30 seconds), moderate energies (200-210 J: 10 W / 20 seconds, 7 W / 30 seconds), and low-to-moderate energies (low, 165-170 J: 5.5 W / 30 seconds, 8.5 W / 20 seconds) were targeted for left PV anterior walls, right PV anterior walls, and bilateral PV posterior walls, respectively. First-pass PVI, the other procedure-related data, and atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences were analyzed.
Results
First-pass PVI rate per PV was higher in group A (94%) than in group B (88%) and group C (62%) (P<0.001). All PVs were finally isolated. First-pass time, total LB PVI time, complications, and atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences during a mean follow-up of 11 ± 5 months did not differ between the groups. A few residual gaps after first-pass LB ablations were found for PV anterior walls even in group A and group B.
Conclusion
Sufficiently overlapped LB ablation promises a high rate of first-pass PVI without adverse outcomes. High energy could be required for PV anterior walls.
