Pulmonary Vein Isolation To Reduce Future Risk Of Atrial Fibrillation In Patients Undergoing Typical Flutter

Randomized Trial Comparing Long Term Occurrence of Atrial Arrhythmias Including Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and Thromboembolic Complications in Patients With Typical Atrial Flutter (AFLT) Undergoing Cavo-tricuspid Isthmus (CTI) Ablation Alone Versus CTI Ablation Combined With Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI).

The purpose is to compare long term occurrence of atrial arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation (AF) and thromboembolic complications including cerebrovascular events (CVE) in patients with typical atrial flutter (AFLT) undergoing cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation alone versus CTI ablation combined with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Typical Atrial Flutter (AFLT) is a common cardiac arrhythmia. Studies have demonstrated the safety and superiority of ablation procedure over antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy. Long term freedom from typical AFLT has been consistently shown after successful ablation, but up to 30% of these patients can experience new onset of a different arrhythmia i.e., Atrial Fibrillation (AF). AF results from triggers in the back of the left upper chamber in the heart (left atrium - LA). These triggers typically arise from in and around the opening of the 4 veins (pulmonary veins - PVs) that bring blood from the lungs into the heart. The highest incidence of AF in patients undergoing ablation for typical AFLT was observed where the follow-up duration exceeded a year after the AFLT ablation. This would suggest that AF development in patients undergoing typical AFLT ablation is progressive and inevitable.

Inclusion Criteria:

All patients with typical AFLT confirmed by a 12-lead ECG that are referred for ablation and manifest ≥ 2 risk factors associated with future development of AF will be eligible to participate in the study.

Risk factors for predicting future occurrence of AF will include:

1. prior remote history of AF (≤ 2 episodes ≥ 1 year from the date of evaluation for study participation),
2. LA size > 4.0 cm,
3. left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 50%,
4. hypertension, and/or 5) obstructive sleep apnea.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects with documented ≥ 2 AF episodes within the preceding 6 months of enrollment,
2. inability or unwillingness to take 6 weeks of oral anticoagulation after the procedure and
3. failure to provide informed consent.