Prevalence and Pre-Procedural Predictors Associated With Right Phrenic Nerve Injury in Electromyography-Guided, Second-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation: Single Large Balloon and Single 3-Minute Freeze Techniques.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and pre-procedural predictors of right phrenic nerve injury (PNI) in electromyography-guided, second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation.

BACKGROUND

Second-generation CBs perform better pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) than first-generation CBs; however, right PNI remains a concern.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent cryoablation were prospectively enrolled. Contrast-enhanced cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) was obtained pre-procedurally. PVI was performed with one 28-mm second-generation balloon using a 3-min freeze technique under electromyography guidance.

RESULTS

In all, 377 of 392 (96.2%) PVs were isolated using a CB. In 9 (9.0%) patients, right PNI was observed during the ablation of the right superior PV (RSPV). All events occurred during freezing, except for 1 that occurred during thawing. Right peri-cardiophrenic bundles (RPCBs) were identified at the level of the RSPV on MDCT in 97 patients. In the logistic regression analysis, the distance from the RSPV ostium to the RPCBs (hazard ratio: 0.263; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.110 to 0.630; p = 0.003) was the sole predictor of PNI. The optimal cutoff point for the distance for predicting right PNI was 12.4 mm (sensitivity 96.6%, specificity 88.9%) with an area under the curve of 0.968 (95% CI: 0.922 to 1.000). The PNI resolved spontaneously within 1 day and 2 months in 6 and 2 patients, respectively, and at 8 months in the remaining patient, with delayed recognition of an electromyography decrease.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent right PNI is a rare complication during electromyography-guided, second-generation CB ablation. Electromyography should be monitored even during the thawing time. Pre-procedural MDCT might be useful for risk stratification of right PNI.