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Introduction: Ablation index (AI)‐guided ablation according to the CLOSE protocol is very effective in terms of chronic pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, the optimal radiofrequency (RF) power remains controversial. Here, we thought to investigate the efficiency and safety of an AI‐guided fixed circumferential 50 W high‐power short‐duration (HPSD) PVI using the CLOSE protocol. Methods and Results: In a single‐center trial, 40 patients underwent randomized PVI using AI‐guided ablation without esophageal temperature monitoring. In 20 patients a CLOSE protocol guided fixed 50 W HPSD was followed irrespective of the anatomical localization. Twenty subjects were treated according to the CLOSE protocol with standard power settings (20 W posterior and 40 W roof and anterior wall). In addition, 80 consecutive patients were treated according to the HPSD protocol to gather additional safety data. All patients underwent postprocedural esophagogastroduodenoscopy to reveal esophageal lesions (EDELs). The mean total procedural time was 80.3 ± 22.5 in HPSD compared to control 109.1 ± 27.4 min (p <.001). The total RF‐time was significantly lower in HPSD with 1379 ± 505 s versus control 2374 ± 619 s (p <.001). There were no differences in periprocedural complications. EDEL occurred in 13% in the HPSD and 10% in the control group. EDEL occurring in the 50 W HSDP patients were smaller, more superficial, and had a faster healing tendency. Conclusion: A fixed 50 W HPSD circumferential PVI relying on the AI and CLOSE protocol reduce the total procedure time and the total RF time, without increasing the complication rates. The incidence of EDELs was similar using 50 W at the posterior atrial wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To provide data on acute and long-term outcomes from pulmonary vein isolation with the pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, nonrandomized, case control study. Patients with documented symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF were treated with PVAC or with point-by-point radiofrequency ablation guided by the NavX™ mapping system. All follow-up visits were conducted in our center at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, and then at 6-month intervals. Electrocardiography and 24-hour Holter monitoring were performed at each follow-up visit. The endpoints included procedure times, acute and 24-month outcomes, and complications. Results: Of the 539 patients that were enrolled consecutively, 388 were ablated using PVAC and 151 using radiofrequency ablation. More patients with paroxysmal AF were treated with PVAC than with radiofrequency ablation. Acute success rates were >99% with both methods. Procedure duration and fluoroscopy times were significantly (P<0.001) shorter with PVAC than with point-by-point ablation. Rates of freedom from AF at all follow-up times available (up to 24 months) were significantly higher after PVAC ablation than with radiofrequency ablation (64.2% versus 48.2% at 24 months). With both ablation strategies, the rates of freedom from AF were higher in patients with paroxysmal AF than for persistent AF. Two posterior cerebral infarcts occurred in the PVAC group within 2 days of the procedure. No phrenic nerve injuries and no esophageal injuries were recorded. Data on embolic lesions were not collected. Conclusion: PVAC ablation achieved higher 24-month rates of AF-free survival than conventional radiofrequency ablation. Procedure and fluoroscopy times were shorter with PVAC, although the differences between groups may have influenced the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]