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Background The clinical implication of vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the correlation between changes in vascular endothelial function assessed by reactive hyperemia‐peripheral arterial tonometry and the effect of sinus rhythm restoration after catheter ablation (CA) for AF. Methods and Results Consecutive 214 patients who underwent CA for AF were included in this single center, retrospective study. The natural logarithmic transformed reactive hyperemia‐peripheral arterial tonometry index (LnRHI) of all patients was measured before CA as well as 3 and 6 months after CA. LnRHI in sinus rhythm was significantly higher than that in AF before CA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of AF was an independent risk factor for lowering of LnRHI (odds ratio, 4.092; P =0.002) before CA. The LnRHI was significantly improved 3 and 6 months after CA in patients without AF recurrence. Multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that changes in LnRHI from before to 3 months after CA independently correlated with recurrence of AF (hazard ratio, 0.106; P =0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed the decrease in LnRHI levels from before to 3 months after CA as a significant marker that suspects AF recurrence (area under the curve, 0.792; log‐rank test, P <0.001). Conclusions The presence of AF was independently correlated with the impaired vascular endothelial function assessed by the reactive hyperemia‐peripheral arterial tonometry. Long‐term sinus rhythm restoration after CA for AF might contribute to the improvement of vascular endothelial function, which may reflect the nonrecurrence of AF.

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Background A three‐dimensional (3D) mapping system is essential to reduce radiation exposure during catheter ablation. When using the CARTO 3D mapping system, only the catheter with magnetic sensor can visualize its location. However, once target chamber matrix is created using the catheter, even the catheters without magnetic sensors (CWMS) can enable visualization. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of placing a CWMS in the coronary sinus (CS) without fluoroscopic guidance. Methods The study group comprised 88 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation. CWMS placement was performed without fluoroscopic guidance in 47 patients and with fluoroscopic guidance in 41 patients. Placement without fluoroscopic guidance was performed after creating a visualization matrix of the CS, right atrium, and superior vena cava using a catheter with a magnetic sensor. Feasibility and safety were compared between the two groups. Results Successful catheter placement was achieved in all patients without fluoroscopic guidance, with no inter‐group difference in the median procedure time: with guidance, 120.0 [96.0–135.0] min, and without guidance, 110.0 [97.5–125.0] min; p = .22. However, radiation exposure was significantly shorter, and the effective dose was lower without fluoroscopic guidance (0 [0–17.5] s and 0 [0–0.004] mSv, respectively) than with fluoroscopic guidance (420.0 [270.0–644.0] s and 0.73 mSv [0.36–1.26], respectively); both p < .001. Conclusions CWMS placement without fluoroscopic guidance is feasible, safe to perform, and does not involve complications. Our technique provides an option to decrease radiation exposure during catheter ablation and electrophysiological testing.