When low is not low enough: zero-fluoroscopy atrial fibrillation ablation using the VARIPULSE™ pulsed field system-a prospective single-center study.

backgroundPulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a non-thermal, tissue-selective modality for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment, potentially minimizing collateral damage to adjacent structures. The VARIPULSE™ PFA system, integrated with the CARTO™ 3 electroanatomical mapping system, facilitates real-time catheter visualization, enabling procedures with minimal or no fluoroscopy. The objective is to evaluate the feasibility and acute safety of performing zero-fluoroscopy AF catheter ablation using the VARIPULSE™ PFA system in a cohort of consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF for 1 year.

methodsA prospective, single-center study was conducted involving consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation (PVI ± linear ablations) with the VARIPULSE™ system. Procedures were guided exclusively by the CARTO™ 3 system, without the use of fluoroscopy as well as intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). Data on procedural parameters, acute success rates, and complications were collected and analyzed.

resultsA total of 121 consecutive patients were included in the study during 1 year with 60% of paroxysmal AF. Additional extra-pulmonary vein ablation (CTI or posterior wall isolation or both) was performed in 93 patients (76.9%). The mean time procedure was 44.5 ± 15.2 min and the success rate of zero-fluoroscopy was 98.4%. Two patients had an acute complication (1 TIA and 1 cardiogenic shock).

conclusionThis study demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and time-efficiency of a fully standardized fluoroscopy-free workflow, including posterior wall and CTI ablation. The use of TEE instead of ICE enhances cost-efficiency, potentially facilitating broader adoption of the protocol. However, the single-center nature of the study and the lack of a comparative fluoroscopy group represent important limitations.