Organization and procedures in contemporary catheter ablation centres: data from the 2018 Italian Catheter Ablation Registry. Issue 8 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stabile, Giuseppe; Bertaglia, Emanuele; Guerra, Federico; Palmisano, Pietro; Zoni Berisso, Massimo; Soldati, Ezio; Bisignani, Giovanni; Forleo, Giovan Battista; Zanotto, Gabriele; Landolina, Maurizio; Boriani, Giuseppe; D'Onofrio, Antonio; De Ponti, Roberto; Ricci, Renato Pietro
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiovascular medicine. Volume 22:Issue 8(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: arrhythmias -- catheter ablation -- registry; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.1005
• DOI: 10.2459/JCM.0000000000001183
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1558-2027

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: This report describes the findings of the 2018 Italian Catheter Ablation Registry of the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC). Methods: The Italian Catheter Ablation Registry systematically collects data on the ablation procedures performed in Italy. Data collection was retrospective. A standardized questionnaire was completed by participating centres. Results: We collected data on 15 714 catheter ablation procedures performed in Italy during 2018 in 94 electrophysiology centres. In most centres (75/94, 80%), a single electrophysiology laboratory was available, and a hybrid electrophysiology laboratory was available in 15% (14/94) of centres. In most (93%) centres, at least two electrophysiologists were involved in the catheter ablation procedures. In only 13 out of 94 (14%) electrophysiology laboratories, an anaesthesiologist assists every electrophysiology procedure; in most cases (74/94, 79%), an on-demand anaesthesiology service was available. On-site cardiothoracic surgery was reported in 43 out of 94 (46%) centres. Nonfluoroscopic navigation systems were available in most centres (88/94, 93%). Intracardiac echocardiography was used in 59 out of 94 (63%) electrophysiology laboratories. Atrial fibrillation (31%) was the most frequently treated ablation target, followed by atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (20%) and cavo-tricuspid isthmus (15%). In 61.7% of all procedures, a 3D mapping system was used. In about one-third of procedures, a near-zero approach was performed. Conclusion: In most Italian electrophysiology centres, a single electrophysiology laboratory was available and at least two electrophysiologists were involved in the ablation procedures. An increasing number of procedures were performed by means of a nonfluoroscopic mapping system with a near-zero approach.