Comparison of Conventionally Performed and Intracardiac Echocardiography Guided Catheter Ablation of Atrioventricular Node in Patients with Permanent Atrial Fibrillation—A Retrospective Single-Center Study

<b>Background:</b> Atrioventricular node (AVN) ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) with uncontrolled ventricular rates despite maximal pharmacological treatment. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) can help with visualizing structures, positioning catheters, and guiding the ablation procedure. We compared only fluoroscopy-guided and ICE-guided AVN ablation regarding patients with permanent AF. <b>Methods:</b> Sixty-two consecutive patients underwent AVN ablation were enrolled in our retrospective single-center study (ICE group: 28 patients, Standard group: 34 patients). Procedural data, acute and long-term success rate, and complications were analyzed. <b>Results:</b> ICE guidance for AVN ablation significantly reduced fluoroscopy time (0.30 [0.06; 0.85] min vs. 7.95 [3.23; 6.59] min, <i>p</i> < 0.01), first-to-last ablation time (4 [2; 16.3] min vs. 26.5 [2.3; 72.5] min, <i>p</i> = 0.02), and in-procedure time (40 [34; 55] min vs. 60 [45; 110], <i>p</i> = 0.02). There was no difference in either the total ablation time (199 [91; 436] s vs. 294 [110; 659] s, <i>p</i> = 0.22) or in total ablation energy (8272 [4004; 14,651] J vs. 6065 [2708; 16,406] J, <i>p</i> = 0.28). The acute success rate was similar (ICE: 100% vs. Standard: 94%, <i>p</i> = 0.49) between the groups. <b>Conclusions:</b> In our retrospective trial, ICE-guided AVN ablation reduced fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and first-to-last ablation time. There was no difference in ablation time, total ablation energy, acute and long-term success, and complication rate.