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 .
High-frequency stimulation of the atria increases early recurrence following pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.
BACKGROUND High-frequency stimulation ( HFS ) of the atria induces atrial fibrillation ( AF ) when applied during sinus rhythm and elicits a parasympathetic response when delivered at sites where ganglionated plexi ( GPs ) are located . However , little is known about its impact after an electrophysiological study . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of HFS on the short-term and long-term outcomes after the ablation of persistent AF . METHODS Thirty consecutive patients with persistent or long-st and ing persistent AF were r and omly assigned to either receive HFS of the left atrium ( n = 15 ) or not ( n = 15 ) during their electrophysiological studies . Patients receiving HFS were examined to determine whether or not a vagal response was elicited by the HFS at sites where GPs were located before and after conventional pulmonary vein isolation without any ablation targeting the GPs . Patients not receiving the HFS underwent the ablation procedure alone . The rate of recurrence of AF within 3 months of the procedure ( early recurrence [ ER ] ) and the frequency of that occurring after that period ( late recurrence ) were compared between the patient groups . RESULTS The incidence of ER occurred more frequently in patients with HFS than in those without ( 80 % vs 40 % ; P = .015 ) , whereas the occurrence of late recurrence was similar between the 2 groups ( 27 % vs 33 % ; P = .73 ) . In the HFS group , the number of GPs decreased from 3.4 ± 1.1 to 1.5 ± 0.8 after the pulmonary vein isolation ( P < .0001 ) , and the decrease was smaller in the patients experiencing ER than in those without . CONCLUSION HFS increases the incidence of ER in patients with persistent AF despite a partial GP modification result ing from the pulmonary vein isolation
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 .