The effect of empirical superior vena cava isolation during total thoracoscopic ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

Background In patients with non-paroxysmal AF (atrial fibrillation), various ablation strategies have been attempted to target non-pulmonary vein (PV) foci or to achieve substrate modification beyond pulmonary vein isolation. The efficacy of empirical ablation of the SVC, one of the most common non-PV foci, is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of additional superior vena cava (SVC) isolation in patients with non-paroxysmal AF undergoing thoracoscopic surgical ablation. Methods/results A total of 191 patients with persistent or long-standing persistent AF was enrolled. All patients underwent total thoracoscopic surgical ablation for AF, and half of them also received empirical SVC isolation. We compared the atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa)-free survival rate and procedure-related complications in the two groups of patients. The 3-year ATa-free survival rate was 53% in the SVC isolation group and 52% in the no-SVC isolation group ( p = 0.644). There were no differences between the two groups with respect to AF type or LA size. Procedure-related complications occurred in 12 patients (6%). Pacemakers were implanted only in three patients from the SVC isolation group. The only factor influencing recurrence of ATa was LA diameter. Conclusions Empirical SVC isolation during thoracoscopic ablation for persistent AF did not improve patient outcomes.