Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac condition that results in patients experiencing an irregular heart beat resulting in symptoms including palpitations and breathlessness. It is known that in most cases, AF is caused by abnormal electrical activity from the top of the left side of the heart (left atrium) which overrides the heart natural pacemaker in the right atrium. Treatment options include tablets which suppress this abnormal electrical activity, but in some patients these are not sufficient and a procedure is carried out where the areas of abnormal electrical activity are disconnected or 'ablated' to prevent AF from occurring. This treatment is well established and performed worldwide, often under general anaesthetic (GA). The heart and lungs sit close together in the chest, and when the lungs are inflated and deflated during the procedure, the heart also moves. This movement is then transmitted to the special wires or 'catheters' that are placed inside the heart to deliver the ablation treatment. Instability during the treatment can result in ineffective areas of ablation which may later contribute to reduced success of the procedure. Previous research has shown that by reducing the movement of the heart under anaesthesia using alternative techniques can improve catheter stability and improve procedural results. Once such technique is called high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) which allows the lungs to filled with air using fast and shallow breaths resulting in normal blood oxygen levels with little movement in the heart. This technique has been shown to be safe and effective for this procedure but a direct comparison with conventional ventilation has not been done. The investigators wish to test this and determine if using HFJV improves outcomes during the procedure (i.e. can investigators do the treatment faster and more effectively) and if this translates to better outcomes long term.
Age range
18 Years – 85 Years
Sex
ALL
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Number of patients with improved catheter contact force during AF ablation under high frequency jet ventilation
Timeframe: 12 months