A Randomized Trial of High vs Standard Power Radiofrequency Ablation for Pulmonary Vein Isolation SHORT-AF

BACKGROUND High-power, short duration (HPSD) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a commonly used strategy for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). OBJECTIVES This study sought to compare HPSD with standard power, standard duration (SPSD) RFA in patients undergoing PVI. METHODS Patients with paroxysmal or persistent (<1 year) atrial fibrillation (AF) were randomized to HPSD (50 W) or SPSD (25-30 W) RFA to achieve PVI. Outcomes assessed included time to achieve PVI (primary), left atrial dwell time, total procedure time, first-pass isolation, PV reconnection with adenosine, procedure complications including asymptomatic cerebral emboli (ACE), and freedom from atrial arrhythmias. RESULTS Sixty patients (median age 66 years; 75% male) with paroxysmal (57%) or persistent (43%) AF were randomized to HPSD (n = 29) or SPSD (n = 31). Median time to achieve PVI was shorter with HPSD vs SPSD (87 minutes vs 126 minutes; P = 0.003), as was left atrial dwell time (157 minutes vs 180 minutes; P = 0.04). There were no differences in first-pass isolation (79% vs 76%; P = 0.65) or PV reconnection with adenosine (12% vs 20%; P = 0.26) between groups. At 12 months, recurrent atrial arrhythmias occurred less in the HPSD group compared with the SPSD group (n = 3 of 29 [10%] vs n =11 of 31 [35%]; HR: 0.26; P = 0.027). There was a trend toward more ACE with HPSD RFA (40% HPSD vs 17% SPSD; P = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS In patients undergoing AF ablation, HPSD compared with SPSD RFA results in shorter time to achieve PVI, greater freedom from AF at 12 months, and a trend toward increased ACE. (c) 2023 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Automated summary

This study compared high-power, short duration (HPSD) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with standard power, standard duration (SPSD) RFA in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The results showed that HPSD RFA resulted in shorter procedure time, lower risk of recurrent AF at 12 months, but a trend toward increased risk of asymptomatic cerebral emboli (ACE).