Determinants of outcome impact of vein of Marshall ethanol infusion when added to catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: A secondary analysis of the VENUS randomized clinical trial

Adi Lador, Leif E. Peterson, Vijay Swarup, Paul A. Schurmann, Akash Makkar, Rahul N. Doshi, David DeLurgio, Charles A. Athill, Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, Andrea Natale, Jayanthi Koneru, Amish S. Dave, Irakli Giorgberidze, Hamid Afshar, Michelle L. Guthrie, Raquel Bunge, Carlos A. Morillo, Neal S. Kleiman, Miguel Valderrábano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The Vein of Marshall Ethanol for Untreated Persistent AF (VENUS) trial demonstrated that adding vein of Marshall (VOM) ethanol infusion to catheter ablation (CA) improves ablation outcomes in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). There was significant heterogeneity in the impact of VOM ethanol infusion on rhythm control. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between outcomes and (1) achievement of bidirectional perimitral conduction block and (2) procedural volume. Methods: The VENUS trial randomized patients with persistent AF (N = 343) to CA combined with VOM ethanol or CA alone. The primary outcome (freedom from AF or atrial tachycardia [AT] lasting longer than 30 seconds after a single procedure) was analyzed by 2 categories: (1) successful vs no perimitral block and (2) high- (>20 patients enrolled) vs low-volume centers. Results: In patients with perimitral block, the primary outcome was reached 54.3% after VOM-CA and 37% after CA alone (P = .01). Among patients without perimitral block, freedom from AF/AT was 34.0% after VOM-CA and 37.0% after CA (P = .583). In high-volume centers, the primary outcome was reached in 56.4% after VOM-CA and 40.2% after CA (P = .01). In low-volume centers, freedom from AF/AT was 30.77% after VOM-CA and 32.61% after CA (P = .84). In patients with successful perimitral block from high-volume centers, the primary outcome was reached in 59% after VOM-CA and 39.1% after CA (P = .01). Tests for interaction were significant (P = .002 for perimitral block and P = .04 for center volume). Conclusion: Adding VOM ethanol infusion to CA has a greater impact on outcomes when associated with perimitral block and performed in high-volume centers. Perimitral block should be part of the VOM procedure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1045-1054
Number of pages10
JournalHeart Rhythm
Volume18
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2021

Keywords

  • Catheter ablation
  • Ethanol
  • Mitral isthmus
  • Persistent atrial fibrillation
  • Vein of Marshall

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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