Acute and Mid-Term Results after Pulmonary Veins Isolation Using a Novel Circular Irrigated Multielectrode Mapping and Ablation Catheter (nMARQTM)

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in both paroxysmal and persistent AF. However, this procedure is still challenging and time consuming. Objective: The aim of this study was to present our approach for PVI using a novel circular irrigated multielectrode mapping and ablation catheter (nMARQ) and to present acute and mid-term results. Methods: The study included 31 consecutive patients with symptomatic AF (4 had persistent and 27 had paroxysmal AF) who underwent PVI using the nMARQ catheter. Circular ablation was guided by CT image integrated into fast anatomical map and by intra cardiac echo. Isolation of pulmonary veins was identified using the nMARQ catheter if it was possible to advance it into the veins, otherwise Lasso catheter was used. Patients were followed up to 20 months. Results: PVI was achieved in 119 (98%) out of 121 pulmonary veins identified, and final PVI was obtained in 30 (97%) out of 31 patients. Lasso catheter was needed for PVI confirmation in 16 (52%) patients. Touch up ablation using standard catheter guided by Lasso catheter was needed in 4 (13%) patients. Pericardial tamponade occurred in 1 patient who was treated with pericardiocentesis. No other major complications were detected. During follow-up (mean 15.9 ± 3.6 months, range 9 20 months), 4 (13%) patients had recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia. Conclusion: PVI using the novel nMARQ catheter is safe with good acute and mid-term efficacy. Long term follow up trials are needed. How to cite this paper: Marai, I., Suleiman, M., Lessick, J., Blich, M., Abadi, S. and Boulos, M. (2016) Acute and Mid-Term Results after Pulmonary Veins Isolation Using a Novel Circular Irrigated Multielectrode Mapping and Ablation Catheter (nMARQTM). World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, 477-488. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/wjcd.2016.612051 Received: April 5, 2016 Accepted: December 27, 2016 Published: December 30, 2016 Copyright © 2016 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/