Thoracoscopic Ablation With Appendage Ligation Versus Medical Therapy for Stroke Prevention: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Trial

Document Type

Article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has a demonstrable effect on quality of life (QOL). Recurrent stroke occurs in 10% of patients with AF. The objective of this study was to demonstrate proof of concept that thoracoscopic pulmonary vein isolation and atrial appendage ligation (TPVIAL) could prevent recurrent stroke and could potentially improve QOL in patients with AF with a previous stroke. METHODS: The study was a National Institutes of Health-funded single-center proof-of-concept design that randomized 23 patients with AF-related stroke to TPVIAL (n = 12) or to medical management (n = 11). Quality of life was the primary outcome variable; secondary end points included restoration of rhythm, recurrent stroke, and surgical morbidity. RESULTS: Quality-of-life subscores at 3 and 6 months revealed improvements in energy and decreases in fatigue in the TPVIAL arm [baseline, 33 (19.8); 3 months, 49.5 (20.6), P = 0.01; 6 months, 55.5 (14.4), P = 0.03]. At 12-month follow-up, there were no recurrent strokes in the TPVIAL group. In the medically treated arm, two patients at 6 months (P = 0.22) and three total patients at 12 months (P = 0.09) had recurrent ischemic stroke. There was one death in the medical management arm. In the TPVIAL arm, no AF recurrence occurred in patients with paroxysmal AF, and one patient had recurrence of persistent and long-standing AF. Seven patients in the TPVIAL arm discontinued warfarin therapy for secondary stroke prevention. CONCLUSIONS: This small proof-of-concept study showed that TPVIAL improved QOL on two subscores and restored normal sinus rhythm in all but one patient, and it showed the potential to prevent secondary stroke. A larger study will be needed.

Medical Subject Headings

Ablation Techniques (methods); Aged; Anticoagulants (administration & dosage); Atrial Appendage (surgery); Atrial Fibrillation (therapy); Dabigatran (administration & dosage); Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary Veins (surgery); Quality of Life; Stroke (prevention & control); Thoracoscopy; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)

Publication Date

3-1-2016

Publication Title

Innovations (Philadelphia, Pa.)

E-ISSN

1559-0879

Volume

11

Issue

2

First Page

99

Last Page

105

PubMed ID

26914668

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/IMI.0000000000000226

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS