Ternes, Caique M P

ABSTRACT Background High‐power short‐duration (HPSD) ablation has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional power delivery (CPD) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), though its efficacy, procedural efficiency, and safety profile remain uncertain. Aims To evaluate and compare the efficacy, procedural efficiency, and safety of HPSD versus CPD ablation strategies for PVI in patients with AF through a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Materials and Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.Gov databases were systematically searched for RCTs comparing HPSD with CPD ablation for PVI in patients with AF. Random‐effects models were used to pool hazard ratios (HR) and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). R version 4.4.2 was used for statistical analysis. Results Eight RCTs with 1094 patients (558 undergoing HPSD and 536 undergoing CPD ablation) were included. No significant differences were found in freedom from arrhythmia during the follow‐up period (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.41–1.45; p = 0.424). AF recurrence did not differ (RR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.59–1.16; p = 0.268) between groups. HPSD had a significantly shorter procedural (mean difference [MD]: −21.93 min; 95% CI: −31.34, −12.53; p < 0.001) and RF ablation times (MD: −13.87 min; 95% CI: −19.46, −8.27; p < 0.001). No differences were observed in fluoroscopy time and first‐pass isolation for right and left pulmonary veins. There was no difference in esophageal lesion rates, pericardial, or neurological complications, but there was a higher incidence of steam pops in HPSD (RR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.45–8.09; p = 0.005). Discussion Although HPSD ablation did not significantly improve freedom from arrhythmia or reduce AF recurrence compared to CPD, it demonstrated enhanced procedural efficiency, with shorter procedure and RF ablation times. Despite the higher rate of steam pops, the overall safety profile was similar between both groups. Conclusion High‐power short‐duration ablation for pulmonary vein isolation in atrial fibrillation demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to conventional power delivery, with the added benefit of shorter procedure and RF ablation times. However, HPSD ablation was associated with increased occurrence of steam pops.

ABSTRACTBackgroundAnemia is frequently observed as a comorbidity in atrial fibrillation (AF), especially in elderly patients and in those on anticoagulation. This has been associated with poor clinical outcomes. We aim to investigate the impact of anemia on clinical outcomes in patients with AF on oral anticoagulation.MethodsWe comprehensively searched PubMed, WOS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and CENTRAL through March 2024 and conducted a prognostic systematic review and meta‐analysis. All analyses were performed using R V. 4.3.1. This meta‐analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42024556023).ResultsWe included 23 studies comprising 286,781 patients for analysis. Anemia had a significant association with an 84% increase in risk of major bleeding (HR: 1.84 with 95% CI [1.59, 2.13], p < 0.01), a 32% increase in the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (HR: 1.32 with 95% CI [1.10, 1.58], p < 0.01), a 98% increase in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (HR: 1.98 with 95% CI [1.67, 2.35], p < 0.01), and a 91% increase in the risk of all‐cause mortality (HR: 1.91 with 95% CI [1.46, 2.51], p < 0.01). However, the impact of anemia did not significantly affect the risk of stroke, transient ischemic stroke (TIA), or systemic embolism (HR: 1.07 with 95% CI [0.93, 1.22], p = 0.36).ConclusionAnemia was significantly associated with an increased risk of major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, and all‐cause mortality. However, anemia did not significantly impact stroke, TIA, or systemic embolism.