Jet Ventilation Reduces Coronary Sinus Movement in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: An Observational Crossover Study.

BACKGROUND

One of the reasons that high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is used is due to the near immobility of thoracic structures. However, no study has quantified the movements of cardiac structures during HFJV compared with normal mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

After ethical approval and written informed consent, we included 21 patients scheduled for atrial fibrillation ablation in this prospective crossover study. Each patient was ventilated with both normal mechanical ventilation and HFJV. During each ventilation mode, displacements of the cardiac structure were measured by the EnSite Precision mapping system using a catheter placed in the coronary sinus.

RESULTS

The median [Q1-Q4] displacement was 2.0 [0.6-2.8] mm during HFJV and 10.5 [9.3-13.0] mm during conventional ventilation (p < 0.000001).

CONCLUSION

This study quantifies the minimal movement of cardiac structures during HFJV compared to standard mechanical ventilation.