EHRA 2026 — Dr David Schaack (CCB am Markus Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) joins us to discuss findings from the ULYSSES trial, evaluating whether ultrasound-guided venous puncture reduces access site complications in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation.

This investigator-initiated, prospective, randomised multicentre trial enrolled 1,075 patients with AF or left atrial tachycardia planned for transvenous catheter ablation. Patients were randomised to ultrasound-guided venous access or conventional puncture guided by palpation. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of access site complications at 30 days — defined as arteriovenous fistula, false aneurysm, or access site bleeding requiring intervention (BARC 3A or higher).

Findings showed that ultrasound-guided venous puncture reduced the occurrence of vascular injuries.

Interview Questions:

1. Why is venous access site safety an underappreciated issue in AF ablation, and what prompted the ULYSSES trial?
2. Can you walk us through the study design?
3. What were your key findings?
4. Were there any differences in outcomes across subgroups?
5. What are the implications of these findings for how centres should approach vascular access in AF ablation going forward?
6. What are your key take-home messages for electrophysiologists performing AF ablation procedures?

Recorded at EHRA 2026, Paris.

Editors: Jordan Rance
Videographer: David Ben-Harosh, Oliver Miles

Support: This is an independent interview produced by Radcliffe Cardiology.