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Aim. Steam pop (SP) during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) may cause cardiac perforation, which may require drainage and emergent thoracotomy or even lead to death. Data investigating the timely detection of the occurrence of "silent" or "nonaudible" SP events are limited. Methods and Results. A total of 516 consecutive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who underwent index PVI were included in this retrospective observational study. The duration, power, impedance, temperature, and contact force (CF) of RFCA were continually monitored and recorded throughout the procedure. A total of 15 (2.9%) audible SP events occurred in 14 patients; 2 of the patients developed pericardial tamponade, 1 patient underwent drainage, and 1 patient underwent emergent thoracotomy. The time from RFCA initiation to the occurrence of audible SP was 19.4 ± 6.9 s. Abrupt temperature change occurred in 13 (86.7%) of the 15 SP events, of which 8 (53.3%) exhibited an abrupt temperature rise of 2.3 ± 1.0°C, 5 (33.3%) exhibited an abrupt temperature drop of 2.3 ± 1.3°C, and 2 (13.3%) exhibited no discernible temperature change. Conclusions. In conclusion, simultaneously recorded spike potentials and abrupt impedance rise with concomitant temperature and/or CF change could be a feasible method for the timely detection of the occurrence of audible, "silent," or "nonaudible" SP events, particularly in regions where the risk of perforation may be of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Combined atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been practiced for management of both the symptoms and the high stroke risk of AF. Data of the combined procedure in selected patients with prior stroke are limited. The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of combined catheter ablation and LAAC between AF patients with and without prior stroke. Methods and Results. This retrospective study enrolled 296 patients who underwent combined procedures of AF ablation and LAAC. Patients were divided into two groups: 81 patients with prior stroke (Stroke group) and 215 patients without prior stroke (Control group). Combined procedures were successfully performed in all the patients. Patients in the Stroke group had higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores (4.9 ± 1.2 vs. 3.2 ± 1.0, P < 0.001) and higher HAS-BLED scores (3.5 ± 1.1 vs. 3.0 ± 1.0, P < 0.001) compared with those in the Control group. Procedure-related complications in the Stroke group included two pericardial effusions and two groin hematomas, which did not differ significantly fromthe Control group (4.9% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.778). After a mean follow-up of 20 months, the AF-free rate of the Stroke group was comparable with that of the Control group (64.2% vs. 68.4%, P = 0.495). The relative risk reductions in stroke and bleeding (observed rate compared to that predicted from the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores) were 80% and 79%, respectively, in the Stroke group, and 62% and 62%, respectively, in the Control group. Conclusions. The combination of catheter ablation and LAAC is safe and efficient in selected AF patients with prior stroke. It was observed that patients with prior stroke may benefit more from risk reductions of stroke and bleeding following the combined procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The feasibility and safety of performing the combined procedure of catheter ablation (CA) and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) have been reported by observational studies without controls. The aim of this study was to compare the procedural and long-term outcomes of combined procedures with isolated CA or LAAC.Methods and Results: This study included patients who underwent combined CA and LAAC (combined group), CA alone (CA-only group), or LAAC alone (LAAC-only group). Propensity score matching was used to select controls from the CA-only and LAAC-only groups. Each group contained 76 subjects. The procedures were successfully performed in all the patients. Procedure-related complications of the combined group included one pericardial effusion and two groin haematomas, which did not differ significantly with those of the CA-only group (3.9% vs. 2.6%, P=0.650) or the LAAC-only group (3.9% vs. 2.6%, P=0.650), respectively. The AF-free rate of the combined group was comparable with that of the CA-only group after a mean of 2 years follow-up (67.1% vs. 69.7%, P=0.727). Compared with the LAAC-only group, the combined group achieved similar complete occlusion rate at implant (94.7% vs. 93.4%) and at 45 days (82.9% vs. 85.5%). At the end of follow-up, ischemic stroke and bleeding events of the combined group were low (3.9%) and were comparable with those of the CA-only group (5.3%) and the LAAC-only group (2.6%).Conclusions: The combination of AF-CA and LAAC is safe and efficacious compared with single procedures alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]