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 .
A randomized trial to compare atrial fibrillation ablation using a steerable vs. a non-steerable sheath.
AIMS Catheter positioning and stability are recognized challenges in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) . This prospect i ve r and omized study assessed whether routinely using a steerable sheath affects procedure outcomes . METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-six AF patients were r and omized to  ablation using either an Agilis NXT ( St Jude Medical , St Paul , MN , USA ) steerable sheath or a fixed-curve Mullins sheath ( Cook Medical Inc. , Bloomington , IN , USA ) for the ablation catheter . A mapping system with CT integration was used to isolate the pulmonary veins ( PVs ) in pairs and further ablation performed if AF persisted . There was no significant difference in time to gain trans-septal access , CT registration time , time to isolate PVs , fluoroscopy time for PV isolation , total procedure time , or total fluoroscopy time . A learning curve was seen for the steerable sheath , and after correcting for this , CT registration time and right PV isolation were quicker in this group . One patient crossed over from fixed-curve to steerable . Acute , 3- , and 6-month single procedure success were similar in both groups . CONCLUSION Allowing for the usage learning curve , a steerable sheath reduced time for some elements of AF ablation . Although this did not result in improved success , it may be useful for inexperienced operators , but at increased procedure cost
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 .