Work

Left atrial anterior scar in persistent atrial fibrillation: Results with pulmonary vein isolation and linear ablation including posterior mitral line

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background The anatomic ablation set that comprises pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), roof line, posterior mitral line with vein of Marshall alcoholization (VOH) and cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) line spares the anterior wall to preserve left atrial physiology. The outcome of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and spontaneous left atrial anterior scar ablated with this strategy is not known. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients presenting with spontaneous left atrial anterior scar and persistent AF in terms of clinical characteristics and ablation outcome using this ablation set. Methods Patients with persistent AF (P-AF) referred for AF ablation from June 2018 to June 2023 were screened. Patients presenting spontaneous left atrial anterior scar were compared to patients with no scar. The ablation strategy consisted of PVI, VOH, roof line, posterior mitral line and CTI line. Results 111 consecutive patients were evaluated : 35 patients in the scar group (SCAR) and 76 patients in the control group (N-scar). After propensity weighting, the population resulted in 101 patients : 34 patients in the scar group (SCAR) and 67 patients in the control group (N-scar). There were significantly more female patients in the SCAR group (18 (23.4%) vs 20 (69%), p < 0.001). The mean follow-up was 17 +/- 11 months. The lesion set could be accomplished in all. After a first procedure, the AT-AF-free survival was significantly lower in the SCAR group (82.9% vs 65.7% p=0.005). Conclusion After a Marshall-plan ablation procedure, the presence of spontaneous left atrial anterior scar is associated with more AT/AF recurrence during the follow-up. These results suggest that additional ablation may be necessary to complement the initial ablation set during the first procedure in these patients.

Source: Heart Rhythm O2

DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2025.11.020