Where data were available , the relative benefits seen held true both after a single or multiple procedure(s ) .
For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation , CA achieves significantly greater freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation compared with medical therapy .
BACKGROUND Catheter ablation ( CA ) is commonly performed for persistent atrial fibrillation , but few high- quality r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) exist , leading to funding restrictions being proposed in several countries .
We performed a r and om-effects meta- analysis of RCTs and non- RCTs to assess the efficacy of CA for persistent atrial fibrillation .
Impact of systematic isolation of superior vena cava in addition to pulmonary vein antrum isolation on the outcome of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation ablation: results from a randomized study.
BACKGROUND Pulmonary veins ( PVs ) have been shown to represent the most frequent sites of ectopic beats initiating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( AF ) . However , additional non-PV triggers , arising from different areas , have been reported as well . One of the most common non-PV sites described is the superior vena cava . AIMS The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact result ing from the systematic isolation of the superior vena cava ( SVCI ) in addition to pulmonary vein antrum isolation ( PVAI ) on the outcome of paroxysmal , persistent , and permanent AF ablation . METHODS A total of 320 consecutive patients who had been referred to our center in order to undergo a first attempt of AF ablation were r and omized into 2 groups . Group I ( 160 patients ) underwent PVAI only ; Group II ( 160 patients ) underwent PVAI and SVCI . RESULTS AF was paroxysmal in 134 ( 46 % ) , persistent in 75 ( 23 % ) , and permanent in 111 ( 31 % ) of said patients . SVCI was performed on 134 of the 160 patients ( 84 % ) in Group II . SVC isolation was not performed on the remaining 26 patients either because of phrenic nerve capture or the lack of SVC potentials . Comparison of the outcome data between the 2 groups , after a follow-up of 12 months , revealed a significant difference in total procedural success solely with patients manifesting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( 56/73 [ 77 % ] Group I vs. 55/61 [ 90 % ] Group II ; P = 0.04 ; OR 2.78 ) . CONCLUSIONS In our study , the strategy of the empiric SVCI in addition to PVAI has improved the outcome of AF ablation solely in patients manifesting paroxysmal AF
Where data were available , the relative benefits seen held true both after a single or multiple procedure(s ) .
For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation , CA achieves significantly greater freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation compared with medical therapy .
BACKGROUND Catheter ablation ( CA ) is commonly performed for persistent atrial fibrillation , but few high- quality r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) exist , leading to funding restrictions being proposed in several countries .
We performed a r and om-effects meta- analysis of RCTs and non- RCTs to assess the efficacy of CA for persistent atrial fibrillation .