Residual tiny pulmonary vein potentials on high-resolution map after pulsed field ablation predicts late-phase reconnection between the left atrium and pulmonary vein

BackgroundPulsed-field ablation (PFA) is becoming more widely used as its efficacy and safety. However, the durability of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is not necessarily satisfactory even with PFA. This study aimed to investigate whether post-PFA residual tiny pulmonary vein potentials (PVPs) on a high-resolution map may serve as a predictor of late-phase reconnection between the left atrium and pulmonary vein. MethodsFifteen patients who underwent PFA-based PVI, and the second ablation for recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias were enrolled. The association between residual tiny PVPs ([≥] 0.03 mV) on a post-PFA high-resolution map and reconnected PVPs observed during the second ablation were studied. The presence or absence of PVPs in 270 pulmonary vein segments from 15 cases was compared between the post-PFA map of the initial ablation and the map from the second ablation. ResultsAmong 42 post-PFA residual tiny PVPs, 34 (81%) showed locational concordance with the late-phase reconnected PVPs identified at the second ablation. Thirty-four (52%) out of 66 late-phase reconnected PVPs at the second ablation were located at sites concordant with the post-PFA residual tiny PVPs. Post-PFA residual tiny PVPs defined as bipolar voltage of [≥] 0.03 mV well predicted late-phase reconnected PVPs (sensitivity=52%, specificity=96%, positive predictive value=81%, negative predictive value=86%). ConclusionThe presence of post-PFA residual tiny PVPs can be used as late-phase reconnection between the left atrium and pulmonary vein. Condensed abstractThis observational study aimed to investigate whether post-PFA residual tiny pulmonary vein potentials (PVPs) on a high-resolution map may serve as a predictor of late-phase reconnection between the left atrium and pulmonary vein. Fifteen patients were who underwent pulmonary vein isolation using pulse field ablation and the second ablation for recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias were enrolled. Residual tiny PVPs defined as bipolar voltage of [≥] 0.03 mV well predicted late-phase reconnected PVPs (sensitivity=52%, specificity=96%, positive predictive value=81%, negative predictive value=86%). In conclusion, the presence of post-PFA residual tiny PVPs can be used as late-phase reconnection between the left atrium and pulmonary vein